"Je suis Charlie," French for "I am Charlie," has become a slogan around the world to those showing solidarity with Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine in Paris whose staff was attacked by two masked gunmen Jan. 7.
Isabelle Kallenberg, senior in French and microbiology, said she was studying abroad in France during the attack.
Kallenberg said she arrived back in Paris from Germany approximately two hours after the incident.
"It definitely shook me up," Kallenberg said. "We didn't want to go out, and I didn't feel safe going to public places."
On Jan. 9, Kallenberg and her sister were at a coffee shop as victims were held hostage at Hyper Cacher, a kosher grocery store, approximately five blocks away. She said she heard police sirens outside.
Despite the attacks, Kallenberg said the support for France was a breath of fresh air.
"I think I was really in awe by the fraternity you could see in (France) and the support that they received from adjacent nations and the United States," Kallenberg said. "Despite all the horrible things that go on in the world, it was really nice to see the other side -- the silver lining."
Samia Spencer, professor emerita of French and former honorary consul of France in Alabama, said the incidents in France were a wake-up call.
"In a way, it's tragic, it's awful, but, for many, it's not totally unexpected," Spencer said.
Spencer was also in France when the shooting took place.
Spencer said she was about to leave the house to meet a friend when her friend called, sobbing, and said, "They murdered my friends."
Spencer's friend knew some of the cartoonists and writers at Charlie Hebdo.
Evelyne Bornier, French professor, said French people tend to provoke to ellicit a reaction out of others.
"It was extreme to publish this when you know you're putting your life at risk and putting other people's lives at risk," Bornier said. "By the same token, freedom of speech is freedom of speech. You should be able to express yourself."
Spencer said the cover of the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo sent the right message.
"There's nothing offensive about the cover," Spencer said. "It's actually quite the opposite. It shows the Prophet crying that people are using his name to commit murder, so he is sad that he is being used to kill. Furthermore, he is claiming, 'All is forgiven,' and carrying a sign saying, 'Je suis Charlie,' to express his support for freedom of the press."
From a French culture perspective, Bornier said French people are resilient in difficult times.
"If you stop living, then the terrorists get what they want," Bornier said. "By remaining stern and keeping your head up, you show them that they don't win, that you're strong."
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