i feel such ambivalence as i watch the national reaction and counter reaction to the news about Osama bin Laden's death. i am glad a man that represented such evil is not in my world anymore. but then i read quotes like this one by Martin Luther King, Jr:
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
does rejoicing in the death of an enemy automatically equal hate? perhaps. can we be happy someone who attacked our nation and irreversibly changed our lives does not have that power anymore without feeling hatred toward him? i don't know. i certainly don't want to chant "USA! USA!" or wrap a flag around my shoulders, but i will not pretend i want him in my world. while i do not personally celebrate his death and wish he had been captured alive (for a myriad of reasons), i view his death as good news for me & my country.
i feel no hatred for bin Laden. i kinda pity him. at what point has one lost so much of his humanity that thousands celebrate his death?
Arab Americans celebrate the news of Osama bin Laden's death (NYTimes)
i marked the news of his death last night the way i marked the September 11th attacks (and the way i remembered that day when i watched United 93*) - by crying on my couch. other took to the streets in what seemed like a post-game celebration. appropriate or not, i can understand their feelings. the events on September 11th were devastating for all Americans, but the physically harmed cities bore a special burden the rest of us cannot claim to understand. when spontaneous celebrations break out in DC & NYC, the two cities bin Laden's minions undeniably hurt the most, i am hesitant to vilify these communities for a moment of open catharsis.
the worst part of September 11th is the uncertainty that has followed. the last decade has been filled with violence, death, and tragedy. and while those things are far from gone, bin Laden's death is a monumental symbolic victory for our side. it says to all those people who have lived in fear that while evil may strike and innocents may die, those that attack us will answer for their crimes and, ultimately, we will win. and if that is what people were celebrating last night, i am with them (in spirit at least).
*anyone who can watch "United 93" without becoming an emotional wreck is dead inside
