A good way to spend 9/11

9/11 was perpetrated by a group of individuals intent on destroying, not creating.  Dividing, not uniting.  Killing, rather than giving life.  They sought to destroy not only our buildings, but our fearlessness and strength.  They hoped to divide our country, our religions, and the world.  They wanted to kill innocent people, as well as an innocent, open outlook.  They sought to kill our power, ensconced in the symbol of the World Trade Center.

Have they succeeded?  Has a tiny group of terrorists acting on the basis of their warped views and aims, made us fear the intentions of all Muslims, a fifth of the globe?

Have they divided our world?  Have they killed our ability to respond sensibly and rationally?

Canadian terrorism expert Tom Quiggin, of Global Brief, last year posted a blog I helped to cowrite, which stated that “Terrorism is the methodology of the weak against the strong and its only effective weapon is fear. If the population refuses to be intimidated, then the terrorist campaign is ineffective.”  We seem to be playing in to their hand, with a rising fear not only of terrorist threats and aims, but also a growing distrust and phobia of anyone or anything Muslim.

Rather than succumbing to the terrorists’ weapon of fear, spreading that fear and division to our friends, colleagues, or families, let’s take stock of this date by doing the very opposite thing that terrorists do.  Let’s create, not destroy; unite, not divide; bring life, not kill.  Let’s create new relationships with our fellow Muslim American citizens.  Let’s create new understandings of their religion.  Let’s unite on the basis of our national citizenship, on the basis of our monotheistic faiths, and on the basis of our global humanity.  Let’s give life to hope, and to the memory of the victims of 9/11, by sparking renewed trust, and bonds of mutual respect and understanding.

COMMENTS:

1