By: Emily Contreras

Four days ago, the world was shaken. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, I urge you to go to the New York Times, Buzzfeed, or really any other news site and read about what happened in Paris this past Friday, November 13th.

At this point we know there are many whose lives were taken. We also know about those who were responsible for this tragedy.

I’m done talking about the evil people. I’m done focusing on all of the negatives. We too often forget to honor those who offer some sunlight in times of abject darkness and grief.

Following the news of the attack at the Bataclan Concert Venue a local bookstore called Shakespeare & Co. closed its doors to shelter 20 customers for the duration of the attacks. A bookseller from the store told BuzzFeed News: “Shakespeare and Company Bookshop has always acted as a place of safety for many…Last night we simply continued a tradition.” This act of kindness is a prime example of the character of the people of Paris. The same bookseller as mentioned before also commented on his walk home: “I stopped at a florist shop…open in despite of what had occurred.” The florist said to her, “Some light in all that darkness.” This is just a small example of Paris’ will to survive and endure.

During the attacks many were left with nowhere to go, yet the president of France encouraged citizens to stay inside. Social media was put to use and the hashtag #PorteOuverte was created. Porte Ouverte means “open door” and anyone in Paris, French speaking or not, could use this hashtag to find a safe place to stay. People opened their homes and their hearts for complete strangers during a time of tragedy. The hashtag was created by a man named Sylvain Lapoix and when he was interviewed about the hashtag he said, “I [did] not know if it could help people or how, but I thought it might be useful.” This, to me, is just proof that it’s the little things and small gestures that can make all the difference in the world.

The struggles for the people in Paris have only just begun, but it’s stories such as these that should give Parisians faith in each other. Here we have proof that as a nation it is possible to overcome anything.