I'm thinking this morning about conversations I’ve had over the
years with people who still feel the wound of wrongs done to their ancestors –
especially those on American soil – Native American genocide, African American
slavery, Asian American internment camps, and others I don’t have space to
mention here.
I’m also thinking
about how defensive I get when having those conversations – “Hey, I didn’t do
that to you! My ancestors weren’t even here when that happened! Don’t be mad at
me, just because I’m a white guy!” I want these people to “get over it”, “let
it go”, “move on”. I want them to forget.
I’m thinking about all this because today is a day that many
Americans are posting images of the Twin Towers with “Never Forget” graphics.
Some go further to point the finger at Islam, at all Muslims – saying “Never
forget who the enemy is”, or “With God’s help, we will kill the enemy”. I’m
thinking about how millions of Muslims are feeling exactly what I feel when I’m
linked to atrocities in the past, just because I’m white, or American, or a
Christian.
9/11 was a tragedy because some evil people destroyed
thousands of lives. And we should remember.
We should “Never Forget” how awful it is to be the victim of such evil. And we
should “Never Forget” that we all – every one of us – have the capacity for hate
and evil that is every bit as destructive. As Walt Kelly said in the 60s, “We
have met the enemy, and he is us.”
“Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray
for those who mistreat you.” ~ Jesus
