Editor,
I'm writing in response to letters by Gena McLellan, Michael Cardwell and Brandon Curtis and to widespread sentiments I've observed this past week. All three individuals articulated anger toward their peers for questioning American practices after last week's horror.
Ms. McLellan expressed being "insulted and outraged" at the call some Americans have made for introspection as a country. But why, if we've no reason to be critical of our nation's policies, would such introspection be threatening?
The reality is that a critical evaluation of our country's practices is threatening to Americans because it's legitimate and thus runs the risk of toppling our unjustified sense of righteousness.
I've been called naãve for believing that peace is a viable alternative to war in response to last Tuesday's tragedy.
I contend that it's more naãve to perceive America as an entirely innocent victim in this situation.
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The inconceivable number of people who died last week were indeed victims and nothing could justify their deaths.
But how long will we prolong the suffering? How long will we delude ourselves and succumb to our fallacious media in regards to our nation's practices around the world?
Anger is a natural and legitimate reaction to the evil we've seen recently, but action guided by anger is irrational and ultimately destructive. My heart broke repeatedly after the attacks on Tuesday, and it continues to break as I read and hear the words of many of my fellow Americans turning their anger upon one another.
The rage that has taken hold of such individuals has also clouded their ability to perceive the situation rationally.
Mr. Curtis condemns other Americans essentially for holding beliefs not his own - a standpoint truly un-American in itself. He asks why, if we (those who question our country) "hate" America, don't we leave? My answer is that we love America, and therefore want to change that which taints this country.
Ms. McLellan thinks that those of us who have become wary of America's actions and responsibility in last week's events are claiming that America deserved what it got "because we don't espouse the same political ideals as the terrorists." No one is suggesting that anyone deserves the kind of suffering that was exacted upon American citizens last Tuesday.
Furthermore, it's not a matter of ideals, but actual practices on our nation's part, which have exacted suffering on other parts of the world, that are in question. That's not to justify Tuesday - it's to finally realize America's faults, mistakes, and hypocrisy.
Mr. Cardwell claims that "liberal naãvetÇ is the reason we are in the situation we face today with the terrorists," but that's not the case. Hatred, avarice and ignorance are the reasons.
I beg of you, fellow Americans - fellow human beings - don't succumb to these greatest of evils.
Don't turn them upon one another. And don't allow yourselves to become deluded or egomaniacal in these times that call for clarity of thought, humility, and love. Peace to all.
Jeanine Ten Broeck
UNM Student
