Managing the Terror Tantrum

Most of you will recall that in December 2014 a lone gun man held hostages in the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place in Sydney. The police treated the incident as an act of terrorism because of the man's proclaimed allegiance with ISIL.  It turned out he was aggrieved over legal outcomes concerning a number of charges.  Two people as well as the gun man, Man Haron Monis were killed during the seige which was finally brought to an end by police.  

The Lindt cafe closed down and Martin Place became a shrine to peace as Sydneysidders tried hard not to succumb to racial and ethnic hatred towards their Muslim neighbors.  Campaigns like #illridewithyou where Sydney commuters pledged to ride with women wearing hijab or veils so that they would not be harassed by angry and ignorant members of the public.  Sadly, the incident has also sparked hate rallies and an even further backlash against asylum seekers, it made people feel scared and vulnerable - all the things terrorist attacks are meant to do.

The Lindt cafe has recently reopened.  

Thomas and I were walking past it one sunny afternoon and I commented how uncomfortable I would feel buying a drink in there.  There was no sign of the horror that took place - what you can see from the street are receptacles filled to the brim of shiny, brightly wrapped Lindt balls, a counter with row upon row of handmade chocolates on display and a dozen tables filled with happy customers devouring colourful macaroons or salted caramel slices.  To me it seemed a gaudy shrine to the fallen.  Thomas took another view, for him the cafe reopening and carrying on just as before was a way of conquering the situation.  Regardless, we kept walking, it was only a passing comment.

I walk pass that cafe everyday on my way to the bus.  Today I went inside.  In truth, I was actually a little apprehensive - I didn't know what it would feel like to be somewhere where such awful things had recently taken place.  Once I had picked up my order and began to walk out, I noticed two golden plaques to the left of the main entrance - one for each of the victims and none for the man that froze a city of 5 million people.  

A sense of defiance grew as I sipped on my purchase and walked into the cool autumn night. 

It occurred to me that this may be the only way to fight violent acts which are designed not for maximum physical damage but maximum psychological damage, which terrorist attacks generally are.  Not only to fight back with messages of tolerance and peace but, like you would with a tantrumming toddler, keep calm and carry on.

So keep drinking Lindt hot chocolates, reading Charlie Hebdo, catching flights or public transport and fight back by embracing and maintaining our way of life.