Global Unity

Posting an article I had written on another blog site in 2001 onto my personal blog. September 11, 2001 – the day America lost its sense of invulnerability. Flashbacks of planes crashing into buildings, ordinary people jumping out windows, sky scrapers collapsing, and smoke and debris rising into the blue sky will haunt people around the world forever. It was a day that changed the lives of all. The whole world watched as the famed New York skyline crumbled into a pile of ashes, dust, and metal. Not only would New York City never be the same again, the United States and the rest of the world would never be the same again. Before I went to class that morning, the twin towers were standing proud. When I came back from class, they were still standing, only now – flames engulfed the tops of both buildings. Television stations inundated their audience with clip after clip of the airplanes slamming into those world famous buildings. As the live broadcast continued, a new scene unfolded. At first, it seemed like another replay of prior events, but soon, we all realized our mistake. Stunned and confused, we all watched as the first World Trade Center building crumbled into a huge cloud of gray and black smoke and debris. Now, only one tower remained standing, with fire still consuming it. Shocked, I composed myself so I could go to my next class, still not fully accepting that I was not watching a movie. When I returned from class, the lone standing tower, too, had collapsed. Incredible. Unbelievable. I prayed it was a dream. I prayed it was a movie and not the news, but it was clear that this was real. From the top floors of the tall dormitories at Columbia University, views of smoke rising from the site where the twin towers stood just minutes before verified that we were living and witnessing reality. Prayer meetings, candlelight vigils, and television news filled our schedules for the weeks to come. People shared their feelings with each other, about their family and friends that were missing. Muslim students lived in fear of the backlash they and their families might face, hoping that others would not hate them because they believe in the same religion as the terrorists were thought to claim. I lived in fear too. The sounds of commercial airplanes flying overhead startled me, whereas airplanes usually fascinate me. The sight and sound of fighter jets flying overhead did little to reassure me that everything would be fine. I feared that I would never see my family again, and I feared the potential aftermath of actions the United States seemed poised to take on the party or parties responsible for this horrific disaster. For the first time, I understood what it meant to live in fear. I saw a piece of what some countries around the world face everyday – innocent lives killed daily. I cannot even imagine what their lives are like. It is time for Americans who have been living in a bubble of comfort to see the realities of this world. America is not an exception to the ills of the surrounding world. Some Americans look at themselves as better and more powerful than those in other countries because they are Americans, and they are proud to be Americans. Attacking America on its own soil seemed unthinkable, but, as we saw on Tuesday September 11, America is much more vulnerable than many would like to believe. I am proud to be an American. Do I think America has a right to protect itself and take steps toward that end? Yes. But I am concerned that by doing so we may be endangering the lives of other innocent lives. Just because they are not fellow Americans does not make them acceptable “collateral damage.” We, meaning the entire world, were attacked, just on American soil. The news broadcasters have called this “America’s New War.” This “new war” against terrorism is not only an American war; it is a world war against terrorism. The terrorists attacked the “World” Trade Center, not just “America’s” Trade Center. Thousands of people from countries all over the world lost their lives in the World Trade Center disaster. Terrorism is something the world fears and must conquer, for it is attacking all humanity. The nationalistic fervor that has sparked from this tragedy has made many proud to be Americans, but American nationalism alone cannot win this global war on terrorism. As the International Youth Declaration for Peace stated, “The best way to fight back this evil is by investing in an international coalition of peaceable countries.” It is the unity, the consolidation of international partners that will bring terrorism to its knees. To unite, we all must learn how to love. We must learn how to love our brothers and sisters of different nations, races, and beliefs. I do not believe that an “eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” is a smart way to live life. As a Christian, I believe that love is of utmost importance. Matthew 5:44 states: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Is it always easy to practice? No, of course not, it is so difficult for me to love terrorists or anyone I consider an “enemy.” However, what is my hate going to do? Love is what can transform the terrorists, and love is what can bring peace. Hate is hate, no matter how slight or how heavy the grievance. Hate leads to war and death. We need to unite. We need to love. We, the youth, are the leaders of tomorrow. We are the ones who are going to change this world. We are the ones who need to demonstrate, ignite, and inspire this world with a passion for unity and love. As Reverend Nathan Baxter, Dean of the National Cathedral proclaimed: “In fighting evil, let us not become the evil we deplore.”