A PAEAN

after the tragedy, in the wake of numerous blogs, interviews and graphic images of the event playing over and over again, i can’t take it anymore.

not that i feel numb or apathetic, just that there is so much pain in all this data and it rubs me raw. there was a candlelight vigil and an afternoon vigil as well on friday, the national day of mourning. i did not go – not because i did not care – but because it is too painful to watch, to be a part of.

i think my professor put it very well when he said in anthropology class of this event,

“I don’t want to talk about how the media has portrayed events, i don’t want to talk about the people affected or the way this event has shaped America’s perception of Muslims. We can talk about it when we reach the topic of Globalism and Fundamentalism. Some things are too raw to talk about right now.”

it is not that my professor was being callous – my professor was visibly upset when he said this and he is totally right. the depth of emotion that is running through America interferes with people being able to assess the situation clearly. the outbreak of retaliation attacks against american muslims is the foremost example that comes to mind.

not that examining recent events through from a distance helps either – it is far too impersonal - a balance of both is needed. and beyond the impact of what this tragedy has had on america, try too to understand why there is hatred against america and how to dissipate that hatred. don’t let the media sway you (though this is a horribly extreme example of the narrowmindedness and intolerance that exists in America).

Think for yourself and open the doors of your mind.