I have a confession to make. On 9/11/01, after hearing the news and seeing some video, I did nothing. Worse, I actually went to a meeting, where we discussed the disaster and went on to conduct some business.
More shocking to some, since 9/11, I have made almost no changes to my lifestyle in response to the terrorist threat. I avoid a few places because I can’t stand seeing a police force that is indistinguishable from an occupying army, but otherwise, my life went on after 9/11 very much as it goes on after California earthquakes and Florida hurricanes.
I don’t mean to be insensitive or stupid. I know something terrible happened and many people died and many more people suffered very directly in ways that they may never recover from. Nevertheless, just two dozen people killed 3,000 people brutally and dramatically — but that’s it. It pains me, I sympathize, I go on living. I will not turn my life upside-down; I will not destroy anything over this.
There must have been a way to respond to 9/11 that would not have enflamed so much rage and vengence. There must have been a way to express our grief and horror while seeking justice (and punishment) without fueling even more violence. Something great might have come out of tragedy; an endless War on Terror is nothing great.
Since 9/11/01, how many women have been raped, beaten and murdered by their ”loved ones?” Could it be more than 3000 victims of more than two dozen husbands, lovers, boyfriends, fathers, brothers?
Since 9/11, how many children have been beaten, abused and tormented by their parents, guardians, siblings or classmates? How many of those children will manage to survive only to grow up to be violent abusers of others?
It seems that everything did not change after 9/11. Many things are exactly as they have been throughout human history. We are doing nothing to stop the violence that is everywhere in our world. Instead, we are pouring all of our resources into more violence all around the world. Blessed are the peacemakers — if only there were some. mjh