It is easy to sympathize with those who have been hurt and those who have lost their loved ones. Most feel the pinch of pain associated with family members lost to war. These things provoke feelings of sadness, but is there anything that can be done from the comfort and safety of a living room?

Although it may not end the problems immediately, a large difference can be made by starting with empathy. Understanding what it would be like to be in someone else’s position can keep us connected with problems on the other side of the world – even to the heart of chaos–a Syrian street.

“Instead of trying to figure out what we can give to Syrian refugees, think about what kind of people we can be alongside them. Even without giving money, we can build relationships with these people. We can try to understand their culture and allow them to express it,” said Luke Davis, Biblical Ethics teacher.

We need to keep in mind that these Syrians have no home, and their hope has been destroyed by war. Their only chance for a brighter future is to leave behind a place they love.

“I think more love is being shown to the people being attacked in Paris. This is because people still associate Middle Eastern people with terrorism,” said Sydney Bowden, junior.

By eliminating stereotypes, we will become less detached from these issues. We need to acknowledge the deep brokenness that still plagues our world rather than numbing ourselves to it all. Tragedies seem to be happening left and right, and doing nothing is no longer an option.