Afriend of ours was listening to a radio
station in Texas and a Muslim woman called in to talk about feeling trapped within her home and scared of going outside. She said, "I've lost a lot in this tragedy too." The DJ apparently did not understand, and as they continued talking she said, "My brother died in the World Trade Center." It became clear that her tragedy was twofold: she lost a loved one and began to fear for her own life.
Though there was an obvious tragedy on Sept. 11, there are also less known injustices that do not make the front page. Quietly, in their own ways, people are enduring trying times. The pain and grief continue abroad, in America, and at Dartmouth. Over two hundred hate crimes have been reported in the United States since Sept. 11th.
These incidents are tragedies unto themselves. The victims include many people who had nothing to do with what happened on that day and don't even live in Washington D.C., New York City, or Pennsylvania. Hate was at the center of the terrorist attacks, and we should not let our own actions be guided by the same emotion. History will judge us not only by how we treat the victims, but how we act toward all members of our community. At Dartmouth we must show that we can come together during difficult times rather than be ripped apart.
It has been more than two weeks since the attacks, but the pain is not forgotten. Though the world's focus shifts toward the United States' response rather than remaining on the pain of those who have lost, the families and friends of those who have died continue to suffer. We've moved away from the initial impact of the 11th and now we are in a period of response which in its own way leads to new and different conflicts. The need for us to come together is even greater.
Martin Luther King once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands during challenge and controversy." As we face a time of challenge and controversy the measure of Dartmouth and its community will be in how we treat each other. How can we come together to learn from one another? How can we challenge each other in ways that we still respect people's freedom to disagree or act differently? Our actions and decisions influence the lives of those around us.
As a community we need to help each other deal with the tragedy and comfort those members of targeted groups.
At Dartmouth we often feel separated from life outside Hanover. Too often you can "do your own thing" here and not take the time to learn about the world around you. We cannot continue to do this. We need to inform better ourselves about what happens in the rest of the country and especially the rest of the world. This tragedy is not just an American one; people from all over the world have been affected. As responsible members of the global community we are obligated to educate ourselves about people from other parts of the globe.
Tonight, there will be a student-sponsored vigil at 7 p.m. in the middle of the Green. A few students have prepared thoughts but you will also have an opportunity to share your personal perspective. We hope that this is the first of many ways in which we can remember those who have died as well as those who have lost loved ones. If there is anything that the Student Assembly can help with, or you have other ideas about how to further the healing or education process, please let us know.
Amidst all this bloodshed and heartache, the true spirit of humanity has emerged in the way in which people have given of themselves to others in need. Individuals are donating time, blood, and money to people they don't even know. These acts are demonstrations of the capacity humankind has for giving in times of need. As members of our community discover their own unique needs, let's do our best to show that Dartmouth can and will come together in the same way.
