Marcus Ginyard: Reflections From Paris

Marcus Ginyard

Marcus Ginyard played for the Tar Heels from 2006-2010. He now plays professionally in France and will post a regular travelogue column on Chapelboro.  Read his previous entries here.

NANTES, France – In the wake of the recent attack in Paris, my mind has been racing with a wave of different emotions. I’m utterly shocked by these events, and I send my heart to everyone who has been affected by this terrible tragedy.

When I first heard the news, like everyone, I was completely surprised. Naturally, I was overcome with concern as I have numerous friends living in Paris, as well as the family members of many of my teammates. We all waited anxiously to hear that everyone was okay and accounted for. After the shock wore off, I was clouded by confusion. It is extremely difficult for my mind to comprehend what would lead someone to commit such a horrific act of violence. It seems that the longer I search for this answer, the further I get from it. Sometimes I become quite angry as I fail to make sense of it all. Most of all, I am deeply saddened that people all over the world are losing their precious lives at the hands of others in some of the most extreme ways we can imagine.

I am not French, but beyond the national borders that we claim so passionately, we all belong to the same human race. My time here in France is merely an extended visit, but I feel like a member of the community here, and it truly felt like my country was attacked last Friday. In my life I’ve found that compassion has no boundaries.

Marcus Ginyard at The Eiffel Tower

Sadly, I am no stranger to attacks such as these. I experienced the horrific tragedy of September 11, 2001, as a young boy in the Washington D.C. area. Ironically, I was in my high school French class when I first discovered what was happening. I remember the state of complete shock that ran through the entire school, and the chaos that followed as everyone scrambled to contact their loved ones. I can also remember my heart stopping when I discovered that my father was inside the Pentagon when its western facade was nearly destroyed. Luckily my father was not one of the thousands injured or killed that day.

It’s a terrible feeling to live with the fear these attacks can create. And I truly believe that no one deserves to die the way that these people did. But what is truly amazing, and what inspires me beyond belief, is the LOVE that has been born in the aftermath of the attacks. I hope that France will remain strong and help to prove to the world that love is stronger than hate.

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UNC AD Bubba Cunningham Supports Tar Heels, College Athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics

As a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Board of Directors, Bubba Cunningham is in Paris supporting Tar Heels and Team USA.

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