What We Could Have Learned From 9/11
By Gretchen Gibbs
To me the question is not why we connect in times of trouble, but why we stop. Why can’t we hold on to the glow?
After Hurricane Irene swept through our area, I began to receive calls and emails from friends and family, asking how I had fared. Personally I was fine, though the tenant in my rental house in downtown Warwick had to be rescued by boat and the amount of damage to her possessions and to the house was severe.
I was touched by people’s concern, and it led me to think about disasters and how we respond to them.
I’ve done some research on disasters, their emotional impact, and how to mitigate it. Trauma often takes a great psychological cost, depending on factors like how much terror and horror was experienced, how great the losses were, and vulnerability to the experience because of past trauma. Even factors like gender, age, and social class may affect the consequences of disaster.
Support from others can play a major part in recovery. And usually others do provide support. I remember after the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, some reporter called me for a quote, wanting to know why people had donated so much money to the relief efforts. “Why does it need explaining,” I said, “given that this is the most deadly tsunami in history?” It seems a natural response to want to help others in need.
It is now the tenth year anniversary of September 11th. That first week or so afterwards, wasn’t that our finest hour? People from all over the country converged on New York to help, exposing themselves to toxic dust and toxic sights and experiences. Commerce seemed forgotten in the sense of togetherness. Many businesses closed down temporarily. Restaurants and businesses provided free food and services for the workers at Ground Zero. The sky was still and blue without the planes and their vapor trails. I had such hopes for our country. I thought we could build on the connections, see things from outsiders’ points of view, broaden our perspective.
And then in no time at all, we had war and freedom fries. The sense of community gave way to vengeance and isolationism. I don’t know what happened, but I suspect it was fear. Terrorism is well-named; it is hugely frightening, and to protect ourselves we put up barriers and defenses against other people and ideas. Disasters bring out our best, and they can also bring out our worst. Something to reflect on as we mark the anniversary of the events of 9/11.
gretchen@zestoforange.com
September 8th, 2011 at 7:22 am
Gretchen,
Yours is one of the true voices of reason. The altruistic hype around this anniversary tends to reinforce our country’s determination to wreak havoc in far off lands: specifically Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. The loss of over 3.000 innocent lives at home has increased the loss of life exponentially in other countries.
Thank you.
Russ
September 8th, 2011 at 8:28 am
There is always the Hidden Other.
So to your important question: “Why can’t we hold on to the glow?”… the answer is we are always in transition from light to shadow and back. We can never be still enough to hold onto anything very long. Learning to understand the inevitable process is about the best we can hope for…. and say, with compassion, “Oh here we go again.” I said that last night watching Gov. Perry.
September 8th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Russ, thanks for your comment. Your voice is always out there on the side of peace and love. Gretchen
September 8th, 2011 at 9:26 am
Dan, thanks for commenting. I comfort myself with something like that as I see the pendulum swing right politically. “It will swing back eventually.” I would like to think, though, that under the right circumstances we are capable of sustained compassion and empathy.
September 9th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I’ve wondered as well. In fact, my obsession has been focused on a different venue – amusement parks. I’ve been to many and what has always impressed me is the diversity of people – including Muslim women with head scarves – and we all politely wait on line, smile, sometimes make small talk and just have a wonderful time. I’ve thought why can’t we send all the warring people to amusement parks and have them sit together on the rides! Thank you for another insightful piece.