For those of us who were in NYC on 9/11, Osama Bin Laden's name has long been a dark mark on our lives. While almost ten years have passed since the attacks, hearing President Obama's announcement last night prompted me to celebrate instantly. My roommate's can attest to this as I ran into their rooms proclaiming "We Got Him". While I was only in the 6th grade when the attacks occurred, I still remember every detail of the day. Perhaps that is an exaggeration and my memory is merely going through the steps of reconstructive memory. However, the day and the images have forever been seared into my memory. That day changed the course of the world in such a drastic way that perhaps only Pearl Harbor can equate the magnitude of world importance.
However, after the initial, dare I say, jubilation I then realized that I was becoming morally conflicted. Yes, the man who organized and planned the devastating attacks was dead, but does that necessitate celebration? Dr. Gerloff writes "Closure is a natural yearning and can certainly help people move on from serious trauma. And feelings are feelings...But celebration is not in order, no matter what your feelings of elation." I believe that justice should be served to those who deserve it, however, I do not wish death upon anyone. Because, as Dr. Gerloff writes: "To celebrate the killing of a life, any life, is a failure to honor life's inherent sanctity."
Roughly 30 minutes after hearing the news and watching Obama's address, I started to consider what exactly I was feeling and how that reflected aspects of my personality. While I don't believe celebrating outside the White House, which many students did following the news, is appropriate, I certainly relate to the emotions they were feeling.
Looking forward, Dr. Gerloff writes: "We are not a peaceful species. Nor are we a peaceful nation. The celebrations of this killing throughout the country draw attention to these facts." I agree with Gerloff in that these very outspoken celebrations were unmerited and arguably do not reflect the opinions of the nation as a whole. However, look what made the news. Photos from Ground Zero to the White House were online within an hour of the address. In concluding her article, Dr. Gerloff states that the celebration could incite more terrorist attacks in the coming months. I agree with her on this point. There will be some backlash from the terrorist organizations as they try to fill the place that Osama has held for nearly 10 years. However, I disagree with her in regards to her opinion that "the War on Terror goes on, so there is no closure in that regard". While I believe the next few months will be dangerous and arguably filled with a greater increase in threats and smaller attacks, the death of Osama Bin Laden is a milestone in the War on Terror. We have, to use the strategical term, cut the head off the snake, which I think will, in retrospect, end up marking the end of the Era of Terror.
To conclude, 9/11 was a day that changed the course of the world, and it's understandable why so many young students ran out to celebrate Osama bin Laden's death. However, I do believe that the death of any individual is not something to celebrate. Rather than celebrate, I believe that taking a moment to mourn the victims of the many tragedies he caused is arguably healthier for us as humans. Because when it boils down to it "To celebrate the killing of a life, any life, is a failure to honor life's inherent sanctity." And by celebrating we merely stoop to the terrorist's level.
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