Illustration by Cody Angell
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Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday September 11, 2002
In today's noon Sept. 11 ceremony on the UA Mall, the bell of the USS Arizona will toll five times and a minute of silence will be observed in memory of the five UA alumni who lost their lives one year ago today. The ROTC will present America's colors. President Likins will speak.
Remember the victims, don't celebrate religion
If I could choose any way to celebrate Sept. 11, it wouldn't be a ceremony at all. This year began with our friends and families, distant from imperial displays of our nation's infallibility and durability, and that's where it should end.
I understand the desire for a public display of remembrance, however, and if I had to plan one, it would look drastically different than the one that will occur on the Mall today. It would be minimal and solemn, rather than packed with speakers.
It would under no circumstances incorporate religion. We've spent the last year stressing that the War on Terror has nothing to do with Islam, and moreover that terrorism affects us universally, regardless of our beliefs. As an agnostic I'll tell you that having representatives of each major religion hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" brings me marvelous little comfort.
My ceremony would acknowledge all the victims of Sept. 11, and not just those who died on that day. It would pay respect to the thousands of Afghans who died in retaliation bombings, as well as those who have yet to suffer as a result of our sweeping crusade in the Arab world.
I think, though, that I speak with reasonable confidence when I say that that will never happen.
Caitlin Hall is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and philosophy. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
No event necessary to greive, question U.S. role
First of all, there would be a huge map of the world. And it would be one of those maps where the United States isn't in the center.
A Sept. 11 commemoration should be devoid of political and religious events. There should be a brief speech at noon from President Likins celebrating global diversity within the UA, acknowledging that the student body is composed of students from 135 countries.
Before and after Likins' speech would be an open microphone where students can have up to one minute to voice thoughts and emotions. The Wall of Expression would be re-hung along with a new clean wall, so students could reflect on the past year.
The commemoration should be about honoring and grieving for the victims of Sept. 11 ÷ both those who died on U.S. soil, and those who perished in the U.S. military responses.
Students should come to the Mall in search of a global education. UA professors and experts in all areas of study would get a table on the Mall so that their knowledge and information could be easily shared.
In theory, we should not need a planned event to inspire UA students to seek knowledge, grieve and find a human conscience.
Jessica Lee is an environmental science senior. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
UA should remember with quiet resolve
When I first started thinking about a Sept. 11 ceremony, my first inclination was that there should be no ceremony. The greatest tribute to the friends and relatives we lost in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania is our resolve as a nation of individuals to be crippled by neither fear nor anguish. In that respect, we have the opportunity to salute with every day the memories of the fallen and the American spirit that guides us forward despite the hardships we may face.
The dogmatic approach I prefer seems somehow inappropriate at the moment. Perhaps it is too soon for subtle compassion. After all, we have an eternity to embody our tribute.
So, if a ceremony on the Mall were in my hands, the crowd would gather before a row of flags denoting the nations that lost people in the attack. Additionally, a list of the victims' names would be on display. The ceremony would feature an extended moment of reflective silence. To me, that is sufficient. A memorial needn't be marked with speeches and exposure for community leaders. It shouldn't be about photo-ops or good P.R. ÷ however genuine the intent.
Then we can focus on the big picture.
Jason Baran is a public administration and policy graduate student. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Don't overshadow meaning with flashy tribute
No eye candy. No bin Laden pi–atas. No guys in airplane costumes chasing around guys dressed as buildings. No open mic. No fancy stuff.
If we want to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001, we need to remember what it is exactly that we're remembering ÷ and it's not the loss of the twin towers. We must remember, primarily, those who died.
Staging a ceremony on the Mall can serve several purposes. It should not be used to rally war cries, or as a war protest. We must not gather to proclaim America's moral superiority, or to criticize its oppressive imperialism.
At the very most, there should be a small podium over which hangs a banner: "In memoriam · "
We should read the names of those who lost their lives and have a few short speeches, all of which serve to unify us, not drag us away to our religious or ethnic corners.
At some point, they should ring the bell a few times, followed by a few minutes of silence, during which everyone on campus can stop dead in their tracks, stand with solemn thoughts, and remember.
Daniel Cucher is a creative writing senior. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Let's throw a barbeque for our fearless commander
I think the most appropriate way to mark this event would be to mimic our distant masters in how they've marked the event this entire year.
First, in a show of solidarity, we'll all stand facing a massive screen showing bin Laden or some other foreign person who could look like a possible terrorist ÷ like Ghandi ÷ and spend two minutes hissing at the enemy. After this, Big Broth · ÷ I mean George Dubya ÷ will come onto the screen and assure us that the war against evil is going just super and we've won, but to buckle our seatbelts 'cause another one's on the way, and that our old enemies are now our friends. Then someone from the Ministry of Peace will come on to tell us how we need to submit our rights to the state to help the war and preserve freedom and that selfless, unpaid service to the state is the key to victory.
At this point, we'll all stop to chant, "Ignorance is strength, freedom is slavery, war is peace," and then cheer like fiends.
But the coup d'etat? We'll throw a barbecue for the leadership (the people attending the celebration will just graze) using the Constitution as kindling and the Bill of Rights as the main dish.
Tylor Brand is a sophomore majoring in philosophy. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
Embrace all people, religions in events
As I walk onto the Mall at 8 p.m. on Sept. 11, somber students are gathered, some with candles and some without. I take a seat on the grass. I see a raised platform with several seats and a podium for the speaker. President Likins and a few student representatives are here to make short five-minute speeches to express how UA has been affected by the attacks against the United States.
Later, I watch the ROTC lead a flag ceremony to represent the many American soldiers who as part of America's response to Sept. 11 were deployed to Afghanistan in the last year.
However, it is widely accepted that the ceremony is strictly to remember those who lost their lives and not to point fingers at any race, religion or belief. Instead, I watch students of all ethnicities and religions gather as Americans and embrace our commonalities instead of our differences.
At 9:11 p.m., the bell from the USS Arizona tolls five times for the five UA alumni who died on that fateful day and, after a brief moment of silence, the ceremony is over.
Mariam Durrani is a systems engineering senior. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.
