tp61.xml
Title
tp61.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-02-28
TomPaine Story: Story
TOWARD A MORE PERFECT UNION:
LESSONS LEARNED -OR NOT- SINCE 9/11:
Humans are unique in that we can, and often do, engage in bouts of
self-examination, personal critique and navel contemplation It is how we
assess the effects of our behavior, gauge the state of our relationships,
measure our personal and professional failures and successes, and heal
ourselves in times of pain. Such introspection, at its best, nurtures
humility, patience and ideally, self-improvement. At its worst, of course,
it breeds neurosis, inaction and crippling self- doubt. Self-critique has
never come easy to America, a nation that values fierce pride over humility, unbridled toughness over acts of kindness, and unconditional obedience over public protest. In the aftermath of 9/11, the nation's inability to critique itself is crippling our recovery. Could our anger and grief over the terrible events of 9/11 be the result, in some small measure, of a vague sense of guilt, a whiff of responsibility for the maelstrom of violence inflicted upon us?
""WHY DO THEY HATE US?"" Newsweek blared last Fall while
smoke drifted up from Ground Zero enveloping lower Manhattan in that smell. Writers Barbara Kingsolver and Susan Sontag enraged the Right by suggesting American culture was to blame, while Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson enraged the Left by suggesting homosexuals should take the fall. Thankfully, neither sentiment resonated with the general public A year has passed, and we have not yet begun to heal. Let us hope among the several stages of our grief, Americans find the maturity and the wisdom to reflect upon this great tragedy, learn from its profound lessons, and chart our future course with little recrimination or blame. It is the only way our Union will prosper.
LESSONS LEARNED -OR NOT- SINCE 9/11:
Humans are unique in that we can, and often do, engage in bouts of
self-examination, personal critique and navel contemplation It is how we
assess the effects of our behavior, gauge the state of our relationships,
measure our personal and professional failures and successes, and heal
ourselves in times of pain. Such introspection, at its best, nurtures
humility, patience and ideally, self-improvement. At its worst, of course,
it breeds neurosis, inaction and crippling self- doubt. Self-critique has
never come easy to America, a nation that values fierce pride over humility, unbridled toughness over acts of kindness, and unconditional obedience over public protest. In the aftermath of 9/11, the nation's inability to critique itself is crippling our recovery. Could our anger and grief over the terrible events of 9/11 be the result, in some small measure, of a vague sense of guilt, a whiff of responsibility for the maelstrom of violence inflicted upon us?
""WHY DO THEY HATE US?"" Newsweek blared last Fall while
smoke drifted up from Ground Zero enveloping lower Manhattan in that smell. Writers Barbara Kingsolver and Susan Sontag enraged the Right by suggesting American culture was to blame, while Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson enraged the Left by suggesting homosexuals should take the fall. Thankfully, neither sentiment resonated with the general public A year has passed, and we have not yet begun to heal. Let us hope among the several stages of our grief, Americans find the maturity and the wisdom to reflect upon this great tragedy, learn from its profound lessons, and chart our future course with little recrimination or blame. It is the only way our Union will prosper.
Collection
Citation
“tp61.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 7, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/711.