Weekend Highlights: What if France (or Nigeria) Were China?

Last Saturday brought many people to tears with the attack on Paris, France that killed over a hundred people. The world was outraged and rightly so. Unfortunately I understand when Nigerians feel betrayed or outraged at people who are more sympathetic to the West when it's under attack. We live with the unfortunate reality of not knowing which city in the country will be bombed next. So, when oyibo cries over a lone attack in such a long time we say na today? This is insensitive of us but it also shows how much we have become comfortable with terrorism or accepted that we are helpless. But what if France or Nigeria were China?

China is mentioned here only in respect of their now obsolete one child policy. Imagine that every person killed in that attack was an only child? That would mean the end of many families. OK, I don't know where I'm going with this only that I think many things happen on the international scene that make one wonder about national policies on the local scenes. Do countries bring on terrorism on their people through insensitive policies? What would it take to apprehend the people involved in these terrorist acts in the country? Sophisticated gadgets, CCTV, voice recorders, what?

Life is going to be a tough call when there are diverse interests, views, and motives. Conflict is as old and natural as mankind. Whether you believe the biblical story of Cain and Abel or angry with God for messing up the world by requiring a sacrifice in the first instance, you are going to live with conflict. Many of the world's conflicts started in families and have not remained there. We are going to have to grapple with the ugly realities of the day, especially with the advent of the Internet. People have taken their grievances to the net and they are doing a good job of spreading hate. Perhaps we are approaching Armageddon. Amaechina.