Crowds of students gathered to sing at York in the wake of the recent tragedies across the globe.
Inspired by the gentleman who played “Imagine” on a piano in front of the concert hall in Paris, York students, Amnesty International at York, and faculty gathered in Vari Hall to find solace through song.
Those gathered communally sang “Imagine” by John Lennon in hopes of sharing the message of peace and unity in response to the attacks in Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, and Kenya.
Participants brought an assortment of instruments including guitars and ukuleles, while others read the lyrics off handouts and held artistic signs encouraging peace.
“It’s such a powerful song and I believe that it can change the minds and hearts of people,” says David J. Kim, the organizer of the event.
He says that he is optimistic that the song, if allowed the privilege of imagination, will allow people to picture a world where co-existence among everyone is valued and promoted.
“It’s up to us to make the world as we hope it to be, as one,” he says. Students united in the wake of the tragedies, which for many, hit close to home.
“All victims of such violence deserve the outpouring of grief and empathy we are seeing in the wake of the Paris attacks because each human life has equal value,” says Jessa McLean, co-president of AIY.
The mood was somber as students dealt with the shock of the events which injured dozens and claimed the lives of 129 people in Paris, 43 in Beirut, at least 21 in Baghdad, and 147 in Kenya back in April.
The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad. al Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack in Kenya.
For a student who has visited Paris in the past, the attacks were deeply unsettling.
“If I were to visit them again, they will touch me even more knowing what has happened in that exact spot and who was affected or has lost a life there,” says Marina DiPasquale, third-year history student.
“My initial reaction after hearing about the attacks in Paris was fear,” says Yun Lin, third-year human rights and equity studies student. “But not the kind of fear that the terrorists wanted to instil in the world. Fear for the millions of innocent and peaceful Muslim people who would have to suffer as a result of the actions of a radical few.”
She had expected to see many posts on social media denouncing Islam as a completely violent religion, but was pleased to see an alternate approach of discourse against Islamophobia and hatred.
Regardless of how unfortunate these events are, it was nice to see the community coming together to stand and support one another, says Ann To, first-year psychology student.
“I’ve always been a fan of the ‘Imagine’ song and everytime I listen to it, it invites me to try and break down a lot of the barriers we have in today’s society,” adds Kim.
“These barriers separate us and may even contribute to the problems we have today,” he says.
“It’s not an easy thing to be aware of all the tragic incidents going on in the world. However, we can try our best to be mindful and view everyone as citizens of the world.”
Tatiana Prisiajny
Features Editor
