Lessons
from Boston
“You
cannot avoid war in life, you cannot avoid the fear of terrorism, you
cannot avoid those things now, they are part of everyday demeanor.”
John
Mayer
I
watched coverage of the bomb attack on the Boston marathon for hours;
listened to it on the car radio, too. We Americans are always
surprised when someone, domestic or foreign, attacks us. We think of
ourselves as innocent, peace-loving people—certainly those runners
from around the world, and the folks there to watch them had done no
wrong. We are appalled at the sick mind that would attack citizens
out for a fine spring day and a celebrated annual event.
The
crude bombs were well placed, and timed to go off as the densest pack
of runners came toward the finish line and the bulk of observers
gathered there to cheer them—timed, in other words, for maximum
destruction. We wonder what sort of person thinks this way. Do they
live among us? Do we know them? I am reminded of life in the Soviet
Union back in the days of the Iron Curtain, when everyone was tasked
to report any breech of the law—neighbors feared neighbors—or so
we were told. America is not like that and we don't want to become
that way. I'm sure the Soviet people didn't either.
The
folks in Boston refuse to knuckle under to fear—they resumed life
as normal as possible yesterday. They are to be commended. Boston is
old, has seen many wars and disturbances; its citizens know who they
are and what they stand for. Their way of life is precious to them
and will not change just because someone killed people on their day
of celebration. In fact, they will no doubt dig in their heels, and
be even more proud and determined than ever.
In
our fierceness, we must also accept the fact that we kill and maim
people in the name of freedom. We bomb villages and towns and kill
innocent civilians. We have blood on our hands and the rest of the
world knows it—resents it. They may not be able to win against our
military, but they can sneak bombs onto our streets and railways;
they can attack our infrastructure, and our computer networks. As
long as we are engaged in war anywhere, we will have enemies
everywhere—within and without.
Once
again, let us in our search for answers, not leave ourselves out of
the equation. Let us strive to create, not a world in which people
fear and hate us, but a world of peace and mutual cooperation. My
heart goes out to Boston today.
In
the spirit,
Jane
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