One year later, we're stronger

The pain and horror still exist one year after Sept. 11. After being caught off guard so badly, the growing process has been difficult. Today is a national day of reflection and introspection. We have several new responsibilities because of our experience.\nFirst, we must never forget the victims. Thousands of lives were needlessly taken from us that beautiful Tuesday morning. There is no way to evaluate or measure what was lost or what could have been accomplished by any one of the more than 3,000 victims, let alone collectively. It is important to remember that in all of this, the husbands, wives, children and parents that were left behind will never be able to get back their loved ones. They hurt most right now.\nSecond, we must reflect on the lessons we've learned. We have learned that with vigilance we can protect ourselves -- several threats have been identified and stopped. We have been forced to examine our own beliefs and morals, and because of that, we better understand ourselves. This knowledge is important, because after all the fighting there has to be a way to forge a peace. Knowing ourselves well is key in determining what kind of a world we want to be a part of and help shape. We have also learned about the cultures of those who do not share our values. But we must learn more. To try and foster any kind of peace we have to know who we are dealing with, what they think about the world and where we share common ground.\nLast, it is time to take a step forward. We have learned so much in the past year, and we must take that knowledge and use it to propel ourselves. We must do it as a nation, both at home and here at school. As citizens it is our obligation; as a university community it is our duty. Our country has tough decisions ahead of it, and it is important we are involved and make use of our opinions and voices. There are interest groups to join and Congressmen to lobby, so that our thoughts are heard and our representatives can make informed decisions.\nTo think that things will change or that threats will dissipate by isolating ourselves and being complacent is faulty logic. We must urge the government to use all its resources to protect American soil, go after those who wish to harm us and seek diplomatic means to promote democracy around the world. The interactive forum we have on the opinion pages of the Indiana Daily Student and in other newspapers around the country is the exception, not the rule, in this world. Our work will not be done until we see open, informed debates about civil liberties on the pages of newspapers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries with repressive regimes.\n