Bad Guys, 09/11/01, and Me

[jjinde]

On Sunday night, as the crowds of college kids filled the streets and celebrated, I felt scared and a little sick. I was afraid of how their actions made us look to the greater world at large. I was worried that their actions would erase any sympathy we had gained and further inflame those who would do us harm.

To me, death is serious and while I

Comments

[tardisgrl]

I can remember being thrilled when Ayatollah Komeni died. I was nineteen. I can also remember having to justify my reaction with "I'm not usually happy that someone is dead--but....." I was 10 during the Iranian hostage crisis, and I remember the news clips, the countdowns, the yellow ribbons. It was the first time I really paid attention to the news. And was terrified by what I saw.

I notice that the celebrating we saw in the streets on 1 May 2011 is over-it hasn't lasted longer than a spontaneous erruption of joy/relief/gloating. I don't fault the kids for that reaction, because I remember where it came from.

Nice piece, J.