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These flowers, along with a “Je Suis Bruxelles” scrawling, now form part of a tribute in front of Moscow’s Belgian Embassy after the world awoke to a series of three explosions in Brussels. These acts have since been confirmed by Belgian authorities as a “blind” and coordinated terrorist attack. After two bombs detonated at the Zaventem airport (where at least one was through a suicide bomber) and one more at a subway station, at least 26 were confirmed dead with over 130 additional victims injured. Police have already apprehended two suspects and more are likely at large.
This morning echoes the tragedy of last November’s Paris attacks, in which over 120 people lost their lives. Some outlets wonder whether this renewed terrorism could possibly be an act of revenge after the eighth Paris suspect, Salah Abdeslam, was shot and taken into custody last week in Brussels.
Around the world, people are struggling to cope in the face of yet another senseless mass tragedy. So, they’re coming together — as humans do — with a dedicated hashtag, #JeSuisBruxelles, which has seen a variety of somber and defiant artwork in support of Brussels.
![[avatar]](https://profilecdn-woven.netdna-ssl.com/photo/81898/profile)
Why don’t the Flemish people of belgium get a hashtag
So glad to see the same level of support for Brussels that Middle Eastern countries get on a daily basis…
+1 terrorist attacks only count when it’s non middle eastern countries I guess
As if the Turks give a damn about dead Europeans. Let’s be adults here.
Attacks against Westerners get more coverage in the West. News at 11.
Do we get a “Memes Aren’t Fixing This” headline? Drawing a heart is about as effective as “thoughts and prayers,” after all.
It’s true. But there’s also this aspect of randomness which creates powerlessness, which makes people want to do something, which leads to memes.
My favorite 9/11 response (and I lived in NYC at the time) was from the Onion:
“Woman, Not Knowing What Else To Do, Bakes A Patriotic Cake”
I agree, generally, but I remember the way the world reacted to 9/11 as a source of some comfort…Fixing, no. Helping with the grief? Maybe.
The majority of Belgians speak Dutch, so #WafelsVoorAltijd
God imagine if twitter and facebook had been around during 9/11. We missed out on some great hashtags and profile picture templates :(
I think it’s very hard for the average person to feel like they have an action plan for being helpful. It’s not like they’re spending a day creating a meme in which they would be out terrorist hunting.
Nor is it like most of us had anything helpful to do after 9/11 other than check in on anyone we knew in the impacted areas…
Can someone make a Crying Jordan in relation to this? That will make my day.
#JeSuisRobFord
How the hell did they get these tributes out so fast.
False flag event and crisis actors
Actually I meant this comment as an artist. Whenever I think to do tribute work I have to sit on an idea for at minimum a week and that’s when the tragedy was a natural disaster.
These aren’t the most complicated drawings and doodles.
I know.It’s mostly my own cynicism and fear that it would come across as disingenuous, opportunistic. I see some of this work comes from France and Brussels? So, the pain is real. I just wouldn’t want to draw the equivalent of Ladder to Heaven and get called out for it.
The West has gotten quite good at crying with people watching.
It’s the result of all the extremist attacks and other natural disasters.