By Vincent Herr
The United States has long been lacking of positive public expression of joy in relations to the Middle East. This last Sunday, however, thousands of people expressed their joy, happiness, and excitement about an event that took place in a country far away from the United States. To me it seems weird and awkward that it takes the killing of a man to bring Americans on the streets to celebrate an event in the Middle Eastern region. Certainly, the joy seems justified given the fact that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the worst terrorist attacks this country has ever experienced. And even more than that: Celebrating Bin Laden’s death is more than just appeasement of a revenge impulse; it is the presumed end of fear.
Looking from a European perspective, I cannot help but notice two things:
- The celebration in the street now show very clearly the fear and feeling of humiliation this man had brought to the American people. In my more or less short lifetime I have never seen so many Americans excited about the passing of an enemy. Bin Laden was more than the evil enemy at the gates, bin Laden was America’s worst fear. The fear of being weak, defenseless, and incapable of striking back. In that sense seeing people cheer about his death tells me more about the deep fear of the American soul than reading history books and studying Sociology. It also helps me to empathize with a people who want to live in freedom and peace. And that are great ideals!
- I also notice disappointment. In some regards Europeans consider America as their big brother, who is always able to help, to protect, and to guide. For decades the Americans have been the moral compass of the Western world, leading our cultures through troubled times, and spreading ideals and icons of freedom, hope, and happiness throughout the world. This last Sunday though the moral compass rejoiced over the death of a man. Certainly, he was a terrorist and the world might even be a better place without his activities, but we are still talking about an individual being killed. The last place I would have expected people to behave so unchristian was the United States. Seriously, you can do better!
What counts now, is how we go on after his event; how you go on after this event! Osama bin Laden’s death might be a step towards a safer world, but it is not a step towards a more peaceful world. True peace is more than just the end of violence. Peace studies researcher Johan Galtung defined a so called positive peace, which is more than the absence of conflict. In my understanding positive peace is a form of living in which cooperation and dialogue dominate relationships and behavior, and not deterrence, specialized military units, and war. At least to me that sounds like a very good idea!
Bin Laden’s death also gives all of us the possibility to rethink the way we perceive the Middle East, Islam, and foreigners in general. The tendency now is, to forget all the other important events around the globe that need our attention, and focus on the possible release of a morbid picture. We should focus on a more substantial topic like the uprisings in the Middle East. For those who have not noticed yet: These are historic times. And many seem to have difficulty understanding what is going on: Muslims are fighting for democracy. That does not sound like our picture of the threatening Middle East.
Let us stop dancing over a man’s death, and start supporting the real events that will make this world a better place!