The Song Remains The Same [1st Dana College Hermes Column]
The Song Remains the Same
The citizens of this country and peoples of the world recently paused to remember the events and victims of September 11, 2001. Everyone is familiar with these tragic events; while some are more learned than others since the publication of The 9/11 Commission Report. Since this tragedy, there has understandably been much curiosity and finger pointing going about. People are angry that such malicious intent was not known or prevented. People are angry that George W. Bush is basking in the fires of destruction to boost his ratings. People are angry that war is still upon us, without much sign of an end. When it comes to how our country and world has been affected since this tragedy, people are just all around angry. Some people are sad. This too, like their anger, is understandable. The sudden loss of so many lives and so many loved ones, the destruction of buildings that defined the identity of so many people, all the aspects of this sudden, unexpected brokenness wrought upon our country is more than sufficient to move people to heart-wrenching emotion.
Shortly after the events of September 11th 2001, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “I am certain that I speak on behalf of my entire nation when I say: Today we are all Americans”. United in our sorrow and linked in our loss, all grieved in one way or another. I, myself, recall sleeping very little on the evenings of September 11th & 12th 2001. I sat up late at night; waiting for hope, watching CNN, and praying. Having experienced loss in some form or another, we all were linked to those directly affected by this tragedy. However, now I believe that this time for sorrow is most definitely past. I believe it ultimately does more harm than good to carry such pain with us. Yet just a few days ago, as I watched the airwaves become plastered with coverage, and listened as I heard ministers preaching once more on the issue, I got the distinct impression that America will not let this go. And should we? Should we bury this tragedy in the sand, tell the grieving to ‘get over it’, and continue our everyday routine existence? While most will respond with a resounding ‘By no means!’, I would like to offer that there is something more to be learned here, something beneficial to take from all this.
It has constantly astounded, worried, and scared me, that only after such tragedies the likes of September 11th, and the recent school massacre in Russia, will people be prompted to assist, care, and change. Why does it take such tragedy and heartbreak to spurn us to action on the behalf of others? Why do we forget their need and value? Have the tragedies of our past not been enough to cement the value and frailty of human life in our hearts?
Personally, I get very angry. It is not only when injustice is done to those I love, or to those loved by my friends or family, that I am spurned to such anger. It is when injustice, harm, and hardships befall on any people. The people of the world do not have to be linked to us by blood or lineage to deserve our goodwill, for we are all linked as one. We are children of God. We are all entitled to the life and freedom that comes as heirs in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Believers and non-believers alike. While I know I cannot convince everyone to become believers and stewards of goodwill, it is my hope that the belief and faith in such action will spread.
Should we bury this tragedy in the sand? No, but we have buried our dead. Should we forget this tragedy? No, but we should emerge from this era of darkness and grief. We should live our lives anew with the knowledge that there is no better time to care for others than now. It is hard to deal with the loss of those we love. But the hope there is revealed when we celebrate their lives and their loves, and carry every good thing about them with us. It is through the same manner than we carry and share the message of hope from our Savior. Should we not add the voices of those we love to his song?
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing,
danallama@gmail.com
The citizens of this country and peoples of the world recently paused to remember the events and victims of September 11, 2001. Everyone is familiar with these tragic events; while some are more learned than others since the publication of The 9/11 Commission Report. Since this tragedy, there has understandably been much curiosity and finger pointing going about. People are angry that such malicious intent was not known or prevented. People are angry that George W. Bush is basking in the fires of destruction to boost his ratings. People are angry that war is still upon us, without much sign of an end. When it comes to how our country and world has been affected since this tragedy, people are just all around angry. Some people are sad. This too, like their anger, is understandable. The sudden loss of so many lives and so many loved ones, the destruction of buildings that defined the identity of so many people, all the aspects of this sudden, unexpected brokenness wrought upon our country is more than sufficient to move people to heart-wrenching emotion.
Shortly after the events of September 11th 2001, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “I am certain that I speak on behalf of my entire nation when I say: Today we are all Americans”. United in our sorrow and linked in our loss, all grieved in one way or another. I, myself, recall sleeping very little on the evenings of September 11th & 12th 2001. I sat up late at night; waiting for hope, watching CNN, and praying. Having experienced loss in some form or another, we all were linked to those directly affected by this tragedy. However, now I believe that this time for sorrow is most definitely past. I believe it ultimately does more harm than good to carry such pain with us. Yet just a few days ago, as I watched the airwaves become plastered with coverage, and listened as I heard ministers preaching once more on the issue, I got the distinct impression that America will not let this go. And should we? Should we bury this tragedy in the sand, tell the grieving to ‘get over it’, and continue our everyday routine existence? While most will respond with a resounding ‘By no means!’, I would like to offer that there is something more to be learned here, something beneficial to take from all this.
It has constantly astounded, worried, and scared me, that only after such tragedies the likes of September 11th, and the recent school massacre in Russia, will people be prompted to assist, care, and change. Why does it take such tragedy and heartbreak to spurn us to action on the behalf of others? Why do we forget their need and value? Have the tragedies of our past not been enough to cement the value and frailty of human life in our hearts?
Personally, I get very angry. It is not only when injustice is done to those I love, or to those loved by my friends or family, that I am spurned to such anger. It is when injustice, harm, and hardships befall on any people. The people of the world do not have to be linked to us by blood or lineage to deserve our goodwill, for we are all linked as one. We are children of God. We are all entitled to the life and freedom that comes as heirs in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Believers and non-believers alike. While I know I cannot convince everyone to become believers and stewards of goodwill, it is my hope that the belief and faith in such action will spread.
Should we bury this tragedy in the sand? No, but we have buried our dead. Should we forget this tragedy? No, but we should emerge from this era of darkness and grief. We should live our lives anew with the knowledge that there is no better time to care for others than now. It is hard to deal with the loss of those we love. But the hope there is revealed when we celebrate their lives and their loves, and carry every good thing about them with us. It is through the same manner than we carry and share the message of hope from our Savior. Should we not add the voices of those we love to his song?
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing,
danallama@gmail.com