On the Verge of Losing Humanity
By Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.
Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.
The nine-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is right around the corner. As a resident of Ground Zero during the attacks, the day is always an emotional one for me, fraught with images, tastes, and smells that have left an indelible mark on my brain. I will never forget the fallen skeletons of the once iconic twin towers. Their smoldering masses sitting amongst the showering of dust and debris as people fled for their lives and mourned their loved ones. The truth is, while I left New York City many years ago, there is a piece of my heart that will always remain staunchly and lovingly there.
The anniversary, remembrance, and celebration of heroes of this year will be marred by polemical discussions about the construction of an Islamic community center near the Ground Zero site. For sake of clarity, it is important to note, contrary to the information purported by the anti-Muslim conservative movement, there is no mosque being built over the sacred ground of the Twin Towers. The truth is much more gentle: Conceived by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is globally known for his interfaith work, the center is being created under the auspicious mission of spreading religious understanding and tolerance, and will provide a swimming pool, auditorium, restaurants, and other spaces open to the community. It is being built two blocks from the Ground Zero site.
Those fighting against the Islamic Center have cloaked themselves in patriotism, however there is nothing patriotic about intolerance and denying religious freedom. This sort of anti-Muslim religionism is eerily reminiscent of the anti-Semitism of Hitler’s regime and is divisive and irresponsible. Gross generalizations and hatred often go hand-in-hand, and they are a dangerous pairing. It is wrong to vilify, terrify, and harass an entire group of people for the actions of a small group. I can’t help but think the Catholic Church harbored pedophiles and child molesters behind its clandestine walls for years while dishonoring the memories and truths of thousands of victims. Imagine if another Catholic Church was never to be built on U.S. soil. Does it make sense to lump together the entire organization for the actions of some? Or rather, does it make sense to unify under religious freedom and true patriotic spirit so we may rise from the ashes stronger?
The devastating acts of September 11th, 2001, called upon the residents of New York City to unify under an umbrella of fortitude and sanguinity. At a time when languishing in the terror of the events would have seemed customary, the city and its people rose upon their feet and stabilized themselves. Safe, caring environments that were provided in the aftermath of September 11th in and around Manhattan mirrored the spirit of humanity. Without this progressive-mindedness, the city of New York would have atrophied amidst the terror.
Humanity and selflessness captured the spirit of all New Yorkers. City dwellers rose amidst the ash and worked side by side regardless of race, religion or gender, devoted to helping one another and to rebuilding the decimated cityscape. The national reaction to the events was visceral, and a tangible lump welled in the throats of many Americans. No one was on the periphery; the periphery ceased to exist. Individuals were beckoned to think, about themselves, their country, and the befallen scions of the city.
Where is that humanity and dignity today? This is a wonderfully diverse country founded on the cardinal principles of religious freedom and tolerance. It is important that we stand united in support of these founding principles, and not proliferate hatred, fear, and intolerance. Generations upon generations of Americans have fought to protect our right to religious freedom; it is for those heroes and the heroes of 9/11 that we do not forget that. It is our duty to not forget. As NYC Mayor Bloomberg so eloquently said in reference to the victims of 9/11, “We do not honor their lives by denying the very Constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights – and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.”
About Azadeh Osanloo, Ph.D.: Before joining the faculty at New Mexico State University, Dr. Osanloo received her doctorate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program, specializing in the Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at Arizona State University. Her research addressed civic education in a post 9/11 climate focusing on the concepts of democracy, cosmopolitanism, xenophobia, and citizenship from theory to praxis. Prior to being in Arizona Dr. Osanloo taught in the New York City public schools working primarily with junior high school students in the South Bronx and jointly was a program director at the Harlem Educational Activities Fund – a not-for-profit that specialized in closing the gap between educational attainment and disenfranchised students. In general, her research agenda focuses on issues of educational equity, educational leadership and policy, the philosophical foundations of education, issues of race, class, and gender in education, diversity, multiculturalism, and social egalitarianism.
