Citizens of the World
Europe Stood Still
At noon today Central European Time, the countries of Europe stopped in their tracks for three minutes to mourn the victims of the Tsunami in East Asia. It was a gesture of solidarity, something that the world needs more of and seems to have less of, as time goes by.
Age-old enemies put down their weapons and joined hands to help in a time of desperation. Rich nations rolled up their sleeves and dug deep into their treasuries to assist those in need. When asked why America was leading the effort to help the disaster victims, Colin Powell replied, "It's what Americans do!"
There are those who see America's role in a cynical light, but they are wrong. Americans are a caring people. When the need arises, you can count on most countries, including America, to respond with swiftness and generosity.
Unfortunately, disasters seem to be the only events that draw humans together in these times of national and cultural division. Terrorists are waging war against the world on the pretence that civilization is threatening their belief systems, while the truth would seem to be that their belief systems are threatening civilization. No one wants to crush other cultures or values, only to see them compete fairly and honestly in the battle of ideas.
The most interesting thesis behind the present crisis is that catastrophe may have unintended effects, such as uniting sworn enemies and pulling the ideological rug out from under fundamentalists the world over. This is a thesis that found expression in an article in today's International Herald Tribute entitled Tsunamis may be unifying event By Daniel Altman.
While there are those who take undue advantage of other people's tragedy and suffering, most people seem compelled by conscience and good will to come to the aid of those in times of need. It is a curious mixture of human qualities, some good and some terrible, that arises in the face of disaster. But, above all, it is the quality of human solidarity that sets the tone in such situations.
Sometimes it takes a human tragedy to understand Socrates' sentiment: "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. "
At noon today Central European Time, the countries of Europe stopped in their tracks for three minutes to mourn the victims of the Tsunami in East Asia. It was a gesture of solidarity, something that the world needs more of and seems to have less of, as time goes by.
Age-old enemies put down their weapons and joined hands to help in a time of desperation. Rich nations rolled up their sleeves and dug deep into their treasuries to assist those in need. When asked why America was leading the effort to help the disaster victims, Colin Powell replied, "It's what Americans do!"
There are those who see America's role in a cynical light, but they are wrong. Americans are a caring people. When the need arises, you can count on most countries, including America, to respond with swiftness and generosity.
Unfortunately, disasters seem to be the only events that draw humans together in these times of national and cultural division. Terrorists are waging war against the world on the pretence that civilization is threatening their belief systems, while the truth would seem to be that their belief systems are threatening civilization. No one wants to crush other cultures or values, only to see them compete fairly and honestly in the battle of ideas.
The most interesting thesis behind the present crisis is that catastrophe may have unintended effects, such as uniting sworn enemies and pulling the ideological rug out from under fundamentalists the world over. This is a thesis that found expression in an article in today's International Herald Tribute entitled Tsunamis may be unifying event By Daniel Altman.
While there are those who take undue advantage of other people's tragedy and suffering, most people seem compelled by conscience and good will to come to the aid of those in times of need. It is a curious mixture of human qualities, some good and some terrible, that arises in the face of disaster. But, above all, it is the quality of human solidarity that sets the tone in such situations.
Sometimes it takes a human tragedy to understand Socrates' sentiment: "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. "
posted by J. DeVincent at 11:13 AM
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