"For the Dignity and Sanctity of Humanity"
By Margarete Lamb Faffelberger

[german] Join the Debate!

Tuesday, September 11th, 2001: The world witnessed a terrorist act of unimaginable magnitude on American soil. The loss of life is immense, the damage is horrendous. New York City's skyline is changed forever. And so are the lives of many in the US and abroad. We take comfort and solace in the numerous expressions of solidarity that are pouring in from around the world. We are beginning to bury the dead while the brave men and women of NYC's fire and police departments hoping to find survivors continue to dig.

We are nearly numb with grief when our leaders tell us: "This is war." Oh, it's so true: The sites of the ruins resemble war zones with piles of twisted metal and heaps of debris. The smell of fire and decay is creeping from the rubble. Yet, Ground Zero has become Ground Hero (as Cardinal Egan, Archbishoop of New York, referred to it). From the ashes of death and destruction rises the spirit of determination to overcome this tragedy and to honor the dignity and the sanctity of human life and all of humanity.

And thus, today more than ever before as we cry out for justice, we must reach out to one another. We must get to know each other, particularly the persons who look and seem different and who do not necessarily share the values dear to us. It is of utmost importance to learn about and to learn from one another because ignorance breeds fear, and fear causes intolerance, and intolerance produces violence, terror, and death.

Have you properly studied your 20th century history lessons? Do you remember the horrid crimes against humanity committed by the fascists? Do you recall the misery and suffering that the Berlin Wall had brought to the German and East European people? If the answer is yes, then you do not dare to condemn a people of one ethnic group or a certain religious denomination as scapegoat of last week's terrorist attacks. If yes, then you do not build a wall - not in our head and not in our heart! If yes, then you agree that we must let our voices be heard. Whatever language we choose, whatever tone we use: we must speak out against ignorance and racism, intolerance and hatred with vigor and puissance.

During the past days, many of us answered the call to raise the American flag. Yet, the display of this important symbol shall not be a call for vengeance and retribution. Rather it ought to be understood as sign of compassion and sorrow for the people who lost their lives at the hands of abominable terrorists. We deeply mourn over 5,000 people in NYC, Washington, D.C. and western Pennsylvania. In addition to the many American casualties, citizens from 35 other countries died in the Twin Towers, such as 554 Germans, 288 Swiss, nearly 200 citizens of India, about 100 Canadians, and 96 Russians who are missing or dead. Terrorism and its carnage has reached global proportions.

Unspeakable terror fueled by immense hatred happened on American soil. What could be the reasons for the incredible disdain against the US that the media broadcasts into our living rooms almost daily? We must no longer shy away to openly ask this question. On the contrary, it is our obligation to reflect and to begin a dialog on a multi-cultural basis in order to confront the difficult issues, e.g., globalization and the exploitation of labor, human rights violations under the umbrella of worldwide economic and military dominance, selective economic and military support, energy waste and seeming disregard for global environmental concerns, the polarization of rich versus poor countries around the globe.

We live in a democratic society and enjoy the privilege to take part in forging our individual way of life. At this point however, our future is threatened. Therefore, we carry an enormous responsibility, namely to actively participate in the discourse and public debate on the conflict that the President calls "the first war of the 21st Century." We shall not leave the process of decision-making only to our President and his generals. Our voices in whatever language we choose, in whatever tone we use need to be heard: We must urge our leaders to demonstrate wisdom for the benefit of all humanity and not to rush into combat against an illusive enemy. First and foremost, the United States must rebuild and strengthen its intelligence apparatus so it can - once again - provide adequate protection on American soil. Moreover, our leaders must strive to reach multi-lateral measures and forge alliances throughout the world - however long that will take. For multi-national cooperation will be necessary to isolate and finally, eradicate the lethal terrorist gangs who have cast their net around the globe. Only then will the world and all of humanity be able to regain some sense of peace and security.

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