Monday, May 2, 2011

United we stand

"The holy Quran tells us, 'O mankind! We have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.' ...The Talmud tells us: 'The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.' The holy Bible tells us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.' ... The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth."

- Barack Obama, to Cairo University, June 2009

This is obviously not art related...but I thought this would be important to share, given the recent current events. As world citizens, we need to learn to work together, respect each other, to find peace. Maybe it will never happen, but we need to try. Let us remember that that man is NOT the face of Islam and that all of us, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Agnostics, Atheists and all others of faith, share this earth and should work every day to contribute to the joys of life, not the tragedies.

Let's remember those who were lost on 9/11 and let them finally rest. Let's be thankful this evil man met justice, and have pride in all of those who had fought and died to make that happen. Let's be united for once, because people of all nationalities, all political parties, all races, all ages and genders contributed to this day.

But let's not be like him. Let's not relish another's death. Even if its deserved.I'm not saying "Don't be happy" or relieved, or satisfied, or glad that he's gone and no longer a threat. All I'm hoping is that we don't let ourselves become blood-thirsty like he was.

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

2 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you wrote this. For what it's worth, I agree. No matter how many times I walked by the WTC area and saw all the pictures and memorials, it felt like a bandaid was getting ripped off every time. I hope that Osama bin Laden's death brings some people closure and peace, but I hope more that we keep listening to one another and being open-minded.

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