LETTER: World's needs are not being met

Editor,

Most of us are lucky to have grown up in an environment that listened to our needs and interests. Schools, clubs, families, and jobs can provide us with a safe environment. I have lived in several neighborhoods and attended several schools and have found that not all places are as encouraging as I wish everyone could experience.

But, what may we become if we do not have teachers to encourage us, coaches to push us, or the peers to cheer us up after difficult days?

One of the worst things that a group can do is to ostracize a member. We have seen this happen before, like the school shooting in Colorado. An action such as this can begin with feelings of isolation leading to a growing inner anger which could spread to a shooting or a kamikaze terrorist attack.

One thing that I have learned from these two examples is that I need to become an active listener when people around me speak. The point of view that I feel is the right one usually feels that way because it is my own. So I plan to hear what people share with me, not just see our differences, but instead look for our common goals.

Step back and think of what could build up inside yourself so powerfully to lead you to believe that an act such as this attack was the only option you had to be heard.

There may have been many things that lead these people to believe that their only means of communication was through terrorism. Many people of this world feel that they are not heard, or that their thoughts and ideas are dismissed as having no value.

An act of violence often comes from frustration. Over time the perpetrator's anger builds. Plans for revenge are conceived and elaborated until they reach their violent conclusion.

I hope that all of us, including the President, do not judge too quickly about what has happened. I do not have the answers, however, I do think it would be more of a tragedy to lose additional friends and loved ones in a war that is hastily declared.

Maybe I am naive, but when I think of war I think of little kids playing cops and robbers, sibling disputes, or a set time and place for a fight in middle school.

It is a test to see who shows up, who cries first, who is the bully, who can build the biggest guns, and who can call themselves the world's superpower.

Maybe we should not fight fire with fire, but by some other means.

My former boyfriend is a Marine and has been stationed in Okinawa.

Although he was supposed to be there for one more month, I can no longer reach him since he was packed and ready to ship out last Tuesday evening.

He is well trained and a very strong individual, but I do not think he or anyone else should be in harm's way while I sit in class. I do not I feel safer knowing that I may never hold his hand again like the victims in the World Trade Center without a moment;s notice. In such circumstances none of us win.

However, this could bring the United States, or even the world, toward a better understanding of each other.

We could all start to listen more carefully when people say that their needs are not being met in our communities, including our world community, not out of fear but out of love for each other. We are a powerful country, that means we should be the "big brother" and not take physical action leading additional killing.

We can show our strength and power by strategically finding the group behind this and punishing them alone.

Meredith Furrer

Undergraduate student