Shadows of Hate

I am sure I am one of the millions of people, screaming to speak out about the events that took place this sad 11th day of September. I am overwhelmed with the images that I have been exposed to and the devastation that they have led to. It is indeed a very tragic and shocking event, that is plaguing this country with emotions never experienced before. My heart goes out to the victims of this incident and their families.

Unfortunately, what went on will be remembered as the worst terrorist attack in the history of the US, but it is much more than that. Tens of thousands of people may have lost their lives, but those who survive, will never be the same anymore. This exposure will affect each and everyone of us, in some way or another.

The United States of America, is recognized as the most "progressed" nation in the world. The nation with the most talented people, and the most opportunity to advance in every arena possible. But I want to know what it says to the people of America, when they see people celebrating, the demolition of one of the most symbolic landmarks of the west, and the loss of thousands of American lives. I want to know how America can believe such hatred can exist without reason. No amount of hatred can ever justify such vile acts of inhumanity, but has anyone stepped back to look at the force behind these acts? Should the biggest investigation in US history also include the examination of its various, controversial foreign policies? Are images of Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Baghdad flooded into American homes through the media, that has replayed the last 24 hours over and over again until it is etched in the minds of all who viewed it? Is the compassion in American hearts, limited only to people who belong on this continent? Is anyone aware of the amount of people losing lives every single day for no apparent reason, than the need for a place to call home? Can anyone imagine the degree of atrocities, famine, murder, the injustices, the desperation that may have preceded the drastic measures taken by these terrorists, taken by people who once were probably just like you and me.

The fundamentals of the American judicial system clearly state that you are "... innocent until proven guilty". In my opinion this system fell apart, when less than 3 hours after the incident, someone came on Live TV and told Americans where to direct their anger. Unusual circumstances may need certain degrees of speculation, but to point fingers towards individuals or groups, based on sheer historical points of reference is absolute injustice. But that is not nearly as severe as indicating that a whole religion, their race and their culture is responsible for the rubble that occupies the streets of lower Manhattan, that this religion and their culture are the pall bearers of the people who lost their lives in this attack. There may be conclusive evidence relating Osama Bin Laden and this incident in the near future, but just because his religious preference is Islam, means that all 1.6 billion Muslims of the world are out to commit massive crimes against humanity? This one person decides to take the fate of thousands of innocent civilians into his hands, means anyone of that race, color or background, support his cause? I am disappointed to think that a society as diverse as America, people as educated and liberal as Americans, cannot distinguish between political and moral associations. I am aching with every "hate crime" labeled story i read about or hear about some Arabic woman raped and murdered in the streets of New York, or a gallon of pigs blood being splattered on the walls of mosques. It disgusts me to think that these walls that people within America are building is exactly what those terrorists wanted.

The US wants to know who is responsible and punish them... with what? Death? Have these people not made it painfully obvious that their crusade is beyond mortality. Do you honestly believe killing these people will have the desired effect on these so called terrorist groups? There are limited courses of action to be taken, but an eye for an eye could lead us into our own destruction.

This nation will endure the losses inflicted and it will move to a new plateau, but injecting racial and religious differences is not the key. The US cannot police the world and not expect casualties. What happened on Tuesday, is not something wrong in the minds and hearts of a terrorist group, it is something wrong with they way the world is today. While the inevitable counterattack on the parties responsible may be the most satisfying course of action, lets not let it be the closure of this chapter. It is essential that a statement be made, not only by the US, but by the entire world, that any acts of terrorism will not be tolerated, but it is also essential that we reach within ourselves to try and understand the roots of these acts and only then can we truly prevent them in the future. Whatever differences we may have between us, let us live as human beings and respect those differences and aim for peace on earth.

to quote:

Peace on Earth -- U2

Heaven on Earth

We need it now

I'm sick of all of this

Hanging around

Sick of sorrow

I'm sick of the pain

I'm sick of hearing

Again and again

That there's gonna be

Peace on Earth

Where I grew up

There weren't many trees

Where there was we'd tear them down

And use them on our enemies

They say that what you mock

Will surely overtake you

And you become a monster

So the monster will not break you

And it's already gone too far

Who said that if you go in hard

You won't get hurt

Jesus can you take the time

To throw a drowning man a line

Peace on Earth

Tell the ones who hear no sound

Whose sons are living in the ground

Peace on Earth

No whos or whys

No one cries like a mother cries

For peace on Earth

She never got to say goodbye

To see the color in his eyes

Now he's in the dirt

Peace on Earth

They're reading names out

Over the radio

All the folks the rest of us

Won't get to know

Sean and Julia

Gareth, Ann, and Breda

Their lives are bigger than

Any big idea

Jesus can you take the time

To throw a drowning man a line

Peace on Earth

To tell the ones who hear no sound

Whose sons are living in the ground

Peace on Earth

Jesus in this song you wrote

The words are sticking in my throat

Peace on Earth

Hear it every Christmas time

But hope and history won't rhyme

So what's it worth

This peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

Pakistani born and raised individual, came to the US 4 years ago and studied in the united states and currently employed in the field of technology in a large corporation.