Letter to the Editor

Students favor understanding over bombing

To the editor:

It is a common sentiment among Americans that our nation and the world changed as a result of Sept. 11, 2001. At least for a while, Americans were more compassionate. It seems obvious that things were and are different in our country. As our country changes, so too does the world.

The unfortunate truth, however, is that the idea of the great change is false. On a day that we could have turned the global tide of violence, we instead chose to re-inscribe the very reasons that motivated that day's events. We too called for blood. We too went to war. And, as we have always done, we reaffirmed a worldview that enslaves even as it seems to liberate. Our great failure is that we could not change.

Despite this failure, I am emboldened and encouraged. Even though I feel our country and world are worse off now than ever before, I still have hope. My faith in our power to change comes from students who determinedly raise their hands and say to the class that violence never ends violence -- it only breeds more. It comes from the students who openly advocate attempting to understand people rather than bomb them.

I am forced to have hope, because I am privileged to know that these kids will be better than those who have come before. One day, one of them will be president. Many of them will teach. The rest, whatever their calling, will understand how to love and respect and yield.

ADAM M. COX

Teacher

Notre Dame Regional High School

Cape Girardeau