Yesterday commemorated the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States. My heart goes out to all those who lost someone in the attacks whether it be friend or relative. My heart also goes out to all those who stepped up and made it their mission to help in the aftermath, some dying in the process. Lastly, my heart goes out to all those innocent people in foreign lands who died as a result of our ensuing acts of retribution. What have we really learned since 9/11? We have learned that terrorism's hand can touch anyone, regardless of where they live. We have learned that the American spirit is still vibrant in the aftermath of a tragedy. We have learned that security can only go so far in preventing disaster. We have learned that our needless wars have in effect done nothing but cause more death and perpetuate a cycle of violence. We have learned that love has taken a backseat to vengeance, violence, and retribution.
Our country has changed since the terrorist attacks on our country. The feeling of security, for many people, has greatly diminished, replaced with fear and trepidation of anyone who looks suspicious. What we once held so dear to our hearts, that American spirit of unity and solidarity, has vanished once again, too quickly if you ask me. So what then, does remembering 9/11 mean if we do not use it to improve ourselves? I feel that it is incredibly important to remember those who died as result of the attack and as a result of assisting after the attacks. I also feel that it is important to look at what 9/11 caused and use it as a means to change our view of things and the way we act. 9/11 should be a day on which we look deep within ourselves and question what has happened since the attacks and if it indeed was the correct road to travel down. Since the attacks, we have not eradicated terrorism from the face of this earth, nor do I believe we ever will if we continually act violently. If anything, violence has increased since the terrorism attacks since 9/11. If violence and retribution was supposed to cure us of terrorism and violence, then we have failed. Once again, violence has proven that its only end result is more violence. If you look at any act of violence throughout history, you will see that it accomplished nothing but causing more pain and more violence. The only way to truly move past 9/11 and show that it was a true catalyst for change is to forgive and act in love.
If you look at two major figures from the 1900's who changed more through their views of non-violence and love than any act of violence has ever been able to do, you would see a means to improve our society and way of life. These two individuals were Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Does non-violence carry a price? Yes, as these two men were killed for their beliefs. Yet despite their deaths, more change occurred because of their beliefs and non-violent actions than any war or act of vengeance has ever been able to do. What have we done in Afghanistan? Uprooted a country, killed some "villains" along with many innocent people, and very soon, we will leave that country no less violent than we we entered it. What have we done in Iraq? (Which had nothing to do with 9/11). We got rid of a tyrant and through our violent actions, have left a country fractured and continually violent. Perhaps the most troubling of all is that we were supposed to be at war against terror. Terrorism still abounds, Al Qaeda has moved to different countries, and if you look at the basics of what terror is, can we really fight it? Terror is an overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety. Is that not what we caused in the countries we invaded? Is terror not what we instilled into the hearts of those who have to deal with our drone attacks? Violence has once again been proven to be ineffective at inciting any meaningful change.
What will the next 10 years bring as we look to the future? Will we teach our children that violence, vengeance, and retribution are the only way to act? Or will we change our psyche and finally realize that the only path to true unity is through loving actions, forgiveness, and peace? Our culture has gotten to the point where I am doubtful that the second option will ever come to fruition. Our culture is based on making others pay, regardless of what they did. We have a tendency to forget or to overlook the reasons for others actions. We only look at what they do in the present and act upon that. Maybe instead of instant action, we could all do well, even in our personal lives to take a step back and assess the whole situation before reacting. The only way to progress society and for that matter democracy and our ideals is to do so out of love, without violence, without need of repayment, without a sense of importance. The only thing that is truly important is that we love our neighbors, and our enemies. Without doing that, we our condemning ourselves to an endless cycle of violence that will never end. Human history has been filled with violence and it will continue that way unless we change ourselves and show others that love can do more than hate ever can. Today, although it is not the anniversary of 9/11 anymore, lets forever keep in mind what happened and use it to change ourselves and hopefully society and the American psyche.
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