So It’s Not Just For the United States
One of the benefits, or so I would have imagined, of relocating to Sweden would have been a quiet escape from the political drama in the United States. No, that’s not to say Sweden doesn’t have it’s own setbacks and dilemmas, that’s not what I’m attempting to say. But I’d be a fool to say that the social and political climate in the United States has remained unchanged since 9/11.
To the contrary, I think the majority of Americans still ask themselves, “What next, and when?”, believing that it’s only a matter of time before the next foreign assault on America.
I was shocked when I heard about the suicide bomber in Stockholm.
Taymour Abdel Wahab, a 28-year-old Sunni Muslim and Swedish citizen, set foot into a busy shopping area and blew himself up. Word on the street has it that the bomb detonated prematurely, and that a larger scheme was initially in place to disrupt a busier area such as a train station.
As a result, Wahab is dead, two passersby are wounded, and the face of Sweden will be forever changed.
I find this particularly unfortunate because these types of events only increase out skepticism: our doubts of our own safety increase, our trust of others decreases, and our acceptance and willingness of multi-culturalism in general is affected.
In the United States, for example, Americans are continuously watching their backs, and watching the words and actions of immigrants from the Middle East.
I see it all around me, and while I’m inclined to want to be more accepting, and open-minded, (I’ve never been one to judge or deny approval based on skin color, ethnicity, religion, or country of origin) at the same time I feel very protective of myself, my family, and our friends.
I guess you’re just not safe anywhere these days.