My personal reactions to the events of September 11, 2001

September 12th, 2001

The last day and a half has been a day of shocking occurences, that has seen the deaths and maiming of innocent people in New York and Washington. I thank God that as a Canadian, I have not had to cope with such tragedy. I watched in horror the televised collapse of the World Trade Centre. I watched in admiration the American people who helped each other, and tried to maintain some kind of calm in defiance of an act that was meant to breed terror. This attack touched all the people of North America. Hopefully, we will prize even more the freedoms that we have, and find within ourselves the resolve to not allow some arrogant and vindictive group to terrify us into being frightened of living the best lives that we can. Each of us who live on this continent, is descended from a survivor - someone who chose to live here and overcome adversity. Historically, we have proven ourselves to be resilient and at our best in times of trouble. It was an error that those who do not understand the character of North Americans made before, and have apparently made again. I am proud that my country automatically reacted to offer and provide any assistance that could possibly be needed. I would have expected nothing less.

There should be no place in the world for such acts of terror against each other. One of the common theses of the world's religions is "To do unto others, as you would have them do unto you". One assumes that the perpetrators of the terrorist acts against the United States realize that such are the actions they have invited against themselves. Punish the guilty and those who have been proven to knowingly aid them. To hurt innocent individuals here, only because their racial origin is from the Middle East, is to become like the enemy. Terrorism in all its forms must be eliminated; it is the greatest threat to our freedom and our humanity. Can we as right-minded people find the balance between vengefulness and justice?

My thoughts, tears, and prayers are with all those who are victims of the tragedy inflicted on their lives yesterday: those whose lives were stolen; those left to carry physical, mental,and emotional scars; the relief workers who keep going despite their exhaustion and heartache; the families left behind by this senseless violence; and to the leaders and population of a country that struggles with a way of life that has been forever changed.
                                                                                                                                     Michelle

BACK