The spirit of our people cannot be broken

by Robert Baptiste

Home in Hawai`i, leaving the islands is a big deal. Many students leave the islands to attend a college in the mainland. Recalling my departure from Honolulu International Airport a year ago, I can remember how most of the people at my departure gate were there for me. My parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunties and friends were all there – even my boss came to see me off. My shoulders were weighed down with many leis and I had countless goodbyes to say.

Just one of the changes in our lives since last Sept. 11 is obvious to those of us who use air travel often. There’s more security, like more X-ray machines and random bag searches, but the thing that people at home mind the most is not being able to go into the terminal. Nowadays, only ticketed passengers can pass the security checkpoint.

When the end of summer rolled around, and it came time to leave Hawai`i again, it was easier emotionally to leave than it was the first time. My mom came into the airport with me, and I’d told everyone else goodbye beforehand. But, in the ticketing area was a huge mass of other mainland-college-bound islanders with their families, having their farewells. Even though they couldn’t go to the departure gates, there wasn’t a damper on their moods. We haven’t let terrorism rule our lives. There may be a precaution here and there, but by the crowd of people gathered in the ticketing area, Chumbawamba says it all: “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.”

Assurance lies in tolerance and education

by Motun Fasehun

Sept. 11, 2001 – a day that remains fresh in our minds. A terrible tragedy to such a great nation, America was in tears. One year later, there are still families that are mourning their loved ones lost to destruction, while some people may have moved on.

It is important for us all to know why tragedies like these happen in the first place. Ignorance, lack of understanding and hate of other people (be it the race, religion or the basic way of life), ignorance due to the lack of interest of being educated about other people’s cultures, lack of understanding, because we view each other from a distance, and hate, because we view ourselves as inferior, are some of the probable causes of such tragedies.

Sept. 11, 2001, was indeed a terrible tragedy, but we need to make use of it as an opportunity to learn about each other. Many “innocent people” died that day, people from all over the world. But I believe we all should carry part of the blame because we all have limited knowledge about other people.

There is the need for us to educate ourselves about those who are different than we are, which would help reduce the level of hate in our society. Hate is a catalyst for the destruction of the world, and with knowledge about each other we can slow it down. Rather than blame everyone that looks like the Taliban, or is Muslim, we should use this opportunity to get to know each other, and embrace one another. This way, there will never be another Sept. 11. It is not only an American tragedy. It is a World tragedy. It has also brought America closer to the world in a way.

Human unity will forever be the highest power

by Rishab Chandra

Sept. 11 is a traumatic day not only for me or the world but for the entire human civilization.

Why was America chosen for the attacks and all the world’s hatred unleashed on a nation that has more often then not given opportunities to individuals such as me to broaden their prospective and attributes?

All this hatred and anguish seems to have religion in its basis. Isn’t something totally immoral when “holy wars” are developed and started in the name of God?

The above questions are extremely hard to answer but definitely debatable.

As I look back to the past year this horrendous incident has helped in many ways not just to bring together America as a nation but the entire “Globe” as well.

Let us all pray as we have been for “Peace” and “Harmony.”

But also keep in mind that Christ was not a Christian, Mohammed was not a Muslim, Buddha was not a Buddhist, and Krishna was not a Hindu.

There is a greater power then “Religion” which unites us and which united these great preachers: Humanity.