Note: This is a personal essay that represents my own reflections on the events of September 11, 2001, and the potential aftermath. May we embrace hope.
We work in an industry that requires that we communicate daily with colleagues, linguistic, IT and DTP professionals, and clients across time zones, across oceans, far from what we call "home". We take these communications for granted, a staple of our daily professional lives, no more or less remarkable than any other work-related task. Until an event like the September 11, 2001, the destruction of the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and, still, uncounted lives.
At ForeignExchange Translations, Inc., messages of support, condolence and sympathy greeted us this morning, some eloquent, some brief, all profoundly sincere. I imagine that such messages greeted others in our industry, an industry that relies on clear, respectful, sensitive communications across time zones, borders and oceans. This morning, the relationships nurtured in the course of our work took on a new meaning. I, for one, am profoundly grateful and despite the heavy grief, profoundly happy that the ever widening and deepening web of communications that draws the world together serves a purpose beyond the exigencies of the market, of business, and of work.
In the localization industry, we know that sensitive, clear, respectful communication counts. We also know that such for communications to achieve that goal--of sensitivity, clarity and respect--they must be multilateral. We tend to do a lot of talking, but we also know the value of listening.
As the United States government prepares a response, I can only hope that our leaders also recognize the value of listening, can hear above the rattling of sabers, the quiet, but enormous, complexity behind the roar of jets turned arms of destruction. Hear the questions. Why did this happen? How can this happen? What drives human beings to such desperate acts?
I am not asking that our leaders seek an excuse. There is no excuse for killing so many civilians, so many with families and friends, so many just trying to keep on keeping on. All I ask is that we look beyond the horror to the reasons. And that the government of the United States, the people of this nation, respond with reason. To engage in ill-reasoned acts of retaliation, the sole goal vengeance, will reduce us--the nation and our allies--to irrational, desperate players in a pointless end game.
Some years ago, Rodney King said, "Can't we all just get along?" His words were quickly co-opted to serve as the punchline of cynical late night comedians and pundits. Facile sentiment, they suggested, lame romanticism. Yet, is it such an absurd idea?
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