The True Colors of Our Humanity
By Larry Goldbaum
September 16, 2001
As we struggle to come to terms with Tuesday's [September 11] horrific events, to understand the full human dimensions of this tragedy, one thing is painfully clear: It will be all too easy to fall pray to hate, to succumb to the desire for revenge, to scapegoat.
We want to know who was responsible for these terrible acts of terrorism that took the lives of so many innocent people, including loved ones, friends, and at least one member of the UMass community.
We need answers; but there are not yet answers. We do not know who was responsible. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and we can only speculate as to their motives.
The news is whirring around us at unprecedented speeds on television and over the internet. Stories have been reported and then later retracted. We must think carefully before accepting the factual accuracy of any report.
One need only remember the erroneous reporting in the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing to realize that the news media (and individual commentators) are not infallible.
The facts themselves—once they are known—may prove to be even more challenging than their absence. As the facts become clear, we will be forced to confront their significance and decide how to respond. How we do so will define who we are as a country and as a community.
We are terribly saddened by reports that some Arab and Muslim members of our community (and others who merely "look" like they might be Arabs or Muslims) have already experienced harassment. These are people like you or me, not terrorists. They are no less horrified by Tuesday’s acts of terror. They are understandably afraid, and they need our support.
Rather than lashing out in our pain and anger, I pray that we will find ways to support one another regardless of the color of our skin, our nationality, or our religious beliefs. Now more than ever we will be called upon to show the true colors of our humanity.
Larry Goldbaum is director of the UMass Amherst Office of Jewish Affairs
