On September 12, 2002, one year and one day after the tragic events of September 11, the International College, the Psychology Department, and SCUBA sponsored an event entitled, "September 11: Personal Reflections and Social Commemoration." The event consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the sharing of people's individual testimonies about how they felt on the actual day as well as after, and the second part focused on how to best commemorate September 11. The moderators for both discussions were Professor Kurt Frey (representing the Psychology Department) and Professor Thomas Lamont (representing SCUBA). During the first session, a group of students from all different backgrounds and several faculty members shared their hearts, and though many testimonies were wrought with shock and sorrow, the general atmosphere was that of love, caring, and understanding, rather than anger and hatred. In fact, there was a mutual agreement that anger and hatred in retaliation for the attacks were not the best ways to better the situation of America, and that the war against terrorism could never be won without truly understanding the complexity of the situation. Many people expressed distress over the outbursts of violence and bigotry against people of Arabic/Muslim descent and the commercial patriotism that took place in America after the attacks. To be brief, most people felt that it did no good to show the strength of America through its fear-based extreme patriotism, because the strength of America shines through only in its ability to understand the complex nature of the situation, and be mature enough to take time to learn how to better the circumstances through a means other than acts of anger and hatred.
After a brief refreshment break, the discussion became more intimate as a handful of students and faculty stayed behind to relate their feelings as to how to best commemorate September 11. People continued with the idea that America should learn how to love and understand, and other than these sentiments, there was not much in terms of how to best commemorate the tragedy. One substantial idea was putting a commemorative statue in the bare circle located in the middle of the Pedestrian Mall. The statue would be made up of four or five different people, each of a different nationality (painted a different color, similar to the Olympic rings), and each person would have a hand stretched outward to hold onto a torch. This torch would represent not only the "lamp of knowledge" as depicted in our UB insignia, but also the light of hope for tolerance and understanding of the differences in humankind. The statue would commemorate September 11, as well as the tragedies of the past and would stand as a reminder that we must love understand each other to prevent future tragedies.
The event ended with enthusiastic approval of the idea as UB is such an international school, providing a great environment in which to set the example for peace. Professors Frey and Thomas encouraged us to make our opinions promoting tolerance and understanding through writing editorials to the Scribe. All in all, it was a wonderful event, where people really could connect through sharing their hearts about the shock, the sorrow, and most of all, the hope for peace.

Jimi Baughman

International College

Senator