To The New York Times (and local radio stations)
September 18, 2001

My own feelings are so mixed. I see the news on TV about the courage of the
police, firefighters and volunteers and I'm filled with hope and pride. Then
I see the reports about the harassment and attacks on Muslim-Americans and
I'm ashamed that we have people among us with as much hate and ignorance as
the Terrorists.

The night it happened, during that short time they were reporting America
was bombing Afghanistan. I have to admit - I prayed that we were. I, too,
feel that instinct for immediate retribution. But I'm also filled with the
sense of helplessness and hopelessness that it will not stop anything. Yes,
I'll feel some satisfaction when we get Osama bin Laden and all his
supporters but we can't stop terrorism. There will always be somebody else.

I am also concerned with the ever increasing talk of "war." We are not at
war. We were attacked. Thousands - including people from all over the world
(it was the World Trade Center, not the American Trade Center) were
senselessly slaughtered. This wasn't a military target - these were innocent
civilians. Even if we were at war - this would be considered a war crime.
We shouldn't be comparing it to Pearl Harbor we should compare it to Nazi
Germany. It was a crime against humanity.

Declaring "war"on the terrorists elevates them to something that they don't
deserve. If they have a cause they are fighting for - they should take
responsibility and not cover up, run and hide. What good is dying for a
cause if no one knows what it is anyway? I can just imagine the inspiring
speech that the terrorists were given before. : "oh you're going to be
giving your lives for all of us and no one will remember you or know who you
are or why you did this". It's not exactly St. Crispin's Day - is it? The
terrorists are criminals and countries that support them are accessories.

If history records this as a war - it will be easier to continue the cycle
of violence. Because war has winners and losers, victims and martyrs. If
we simply go in and invade/declare war on Afghanistan or any country that
supported them - if we view it as 'us against them' - we'll be doing exactly
what they want. They'll be able to perpetuate the hatred for America. Even
when we win - we'll be creating the same atmosphere that allowed Hitler to
persuade the German people to go to WW2.

It's so easy to get swept up in the American pride. I cry too when I hear
the anthem or see all the flags outside every house when I'm driving. We
need comfort now because we are hurting and we are afraid. We're so
desperate for strength we're even willing to accept it from a President we
didn't vote for. But I hope that we can look beyond that. Look past our
borders to those who do grieve with us. Take the strength and support that
our Allies have offered. Then go even further and seek out the support of
the rest of the world including non-democratic governments like China and
other Muslim nations like Indonesia and Syria.

Because - maybe just maybe - if the entire world - regardless of religion
or government -stands together against these acts - the people who
committed or supported them would realize that what they did was wrong. It
was not heroic or brave or a statement for their cause. It was barbaric.
Inhuman. Unacceptable.

I believe the greatest thing that could come out of this tragedy would be if
we could continue to look outward. If we can begin to see ourselves not as
an isolated nation but as a part of a global community. Not just as people
of America but people of the world.

If we can recognize our own failings before criticizing other beliefs... If
we can teach our children to use the internet to reach out to other
cultures...If we can look past our differences to see our commonality.. If
we can turn on the TV and look into the eyes of people in Germany, Britain,
Ireland, Korea, France....

If we can realize that the billion hearts out there are holding the same
grief and the same prayers for hope and peace ....

Perhaps then, we'll have found a way to that better world.

Michelle - New York, USA