Home » Mind & Soul » Unsolved Crimes » In Light of the Season

In Light of the Season

© Brenda Gambrell

In light of the season, my usual routine would be to spout off an article on ghost sightings in a deserted Scottish castle or on werewolves roaming the foggy moors of England, but the festivities of Halloween seem trivial in the wake of the tragic event of September 11th. Who can think of horror when an unimaginable horror has fallen upon our country? I've written of the missing, yet posters cover the streets of the mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who remain missing - buried beneath the rubble of what was once a national landmark, a symbol of strength and diplomacy between nations of many colors, religions, and beliefs.

As the weeks pass, we as a nation - regardless of the threats of future terrorist attacks - return to normal. Back to work, back to school, back to life, as we should, for we are strong and our true strength lies in our capability to continue on - to be indestructible. Yet let us not allow the deaths of five thousand Americans be futile. The tremendous loss off life should solidify us as a nation and reinforce the truth that was always there: We are ALL Americans. No matter what sex, race, color, creed, or orientation, we should unite and appreciate the freedom we all too often take for granted.

Osama Bin Laden has said that Americans will not be safe until his people in Afghanistan and Palestine are safe. Hate breeds hate. Threats cause anger and unrest. Unlike the people of Afghanistan, we have the ability to choose. We may be inundated day and night with propaganda but we can shut off the TV and pick up a newspaper. We have the choice to see both sides of the story. We can get a non-biased education and we can think for ourselves without being physically or mentally threatened.

When I saw the tears of the family members of the victims shortly after the attacks, pleading for someone, anyone, to recognize the photo of their loved ones, their last hopes fading fast like so many family members of the victims of unsolved cases, my heart broke for them. These victims represent America - Arab American, African American, European American, Latin American - this attack was not specific to one race - it was to the American people. And when the attacks began on Arab Americans in our own country my heart broke again from the realization that ignorance that still remains in this country which needs, now more than ever to be unified for one cause - pride and protection for our country and our way of life.

The copyright of the article In Light of the Season in Unsolved Crimes is owned by . Permission to republish In Light of the Season in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.