Jean Matua “From the Heart”
There were several documentaries and specials on TV this past weekend commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. The series by National Geographic was particularly moving, combining footage before, during and after the attacks with present-day interviews of those -people involved. The videos are available online at http://nationalgeographic.com. I highly recommend them.
Two things emerged from revisiting the 9/11 attacks, bringing back so many emotions from 20 years ago. One is the unfathomable evil that humans are capable of. The other is the incredible good that humans are capable of.
It is nearly impossible to begin to understand the hatred that would drive a human being to inflict such cruelty on another group of people. The only way to wish death and destruction on an entire group of people is to see them as not human. In this case, as “infidels” and therefore worthy of any and all punishment.
In sharp contrast to the evil of that day and the months leading up to it, there was so much good being done that day and afterward. Coworkers helped each other evacuate the towers. Total strangers comforted each other. First-responders rushed in, in spite of the fear of what they knew lay ahead, climbing dozens of flights of stairs laden with hoses and gear – all to rescue and evacuate more people from the towers.
The helpers didn’t stop to ask about political ideology, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. They just helped where they saw a need.
There were so many acts of kindness and goodness, large and small. Offering water and coffee and sandwiches to rescue workers for days after the towers collapsed. Rinshing ash and dust off victims. Carrying those who could not walk (or run). Staying with severely injured victims so they weren’t alone. Flagging down help for those too injured to do so for themselves. Even lying to those who were clearly too far gone to survive, this was a kindness too.
All done without orders or a planning committee, and with no consideration of what was in it for the doer.
This, I believe, is who we truly are as humans: innately kind, seeking out good and ways to do good in the world. Our differences only serve to enrich our lives and experiences. In a flash, we can offer aid and comfort to someone we wouldn’t otherwise take notice of. And we can do it with no thought of reciprocity.
Humans are good, loving, and giving creatures. At their best.
Another thing I realized is that Islamic terrorists are far more terrorists, and not so much Islamic. They have perverted the religious faith of 1.8 billion people to suit their political goals. The terrorists themselves are mere instruments of leadership who often spew anti-Western political views (while often indulging in Western comforts and benefits denied to their followers). These terrorists are not fundamentalists, and not extremists. They are radical revisionists, and have distanced themselves from all good, love, and human kindness in order to become pure evil.
We must continue to see and do good. That is our super-power. It is what makes us truly human.