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As the only person working in the LFA office who was alive for both the assassination of President John F. Kennedy AND the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC, I was assigned the reflective activity in remembrance of that challenging time ten years ago when our sense of safety and security was seriously damaged.  Like all natives of Washington, DC, I was struck by the contrast between the sheer physical beauty of the day… blue skies, low humidity, gentle sunlight, soft breeze, one of those days that remind you how good it feels to be alive… and the horror of attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, using commercial airplanes as human filled bombs.  As adults we know, but fail to remember on a daily basis, that evil does exist in the world, and as educators who work with young people, we struggle to balance how we talk about that evil in our work with students.

What I initially felt that day was fear, and like many others I know, I worked hard to work through that fear and regain a sense of security and safety.  One of the things we as educators don’t want to impart to the students we work with is fearfulness, because fear of the unknown, different cultures, various points of view, and new experiences is what allows terrorists to win the battles and ultimately the war against our free society and American way of life.  In my view, we should, as most of us did, collectively help each other grieve for what was lost….friends, family, sense of safety and security…and then move on by asking questions and seeking answers to what leads anyone to take the actions the perpetrators of the 9/11 tragedy took.  To the extent we can encourage our students and ourselves to continue to ask “why” with an open mind and forgiving heart, we can move forward to not only protect ourselves and the people we care about, but also, gain a greater understanding of the life experiences that those from other countries and cultures experience on a daily basis.  This in no way excuses violent or evil actions, it just allows us to learn from all of life’s experiences and use our newfound wisdom to build a more gentle, inclusive society that ultimately makes us all safer.

I was reminded by a colleague this week of Fred Rogers’ observations to be shared with children immediately following the events of 9/11/01.  Fred, of PBS’s Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, urged parents and teachers to emphasize how people were helping others after the tragedy, that when bad things happen people reach out to help.  So, I leave you with that:  let’s be glad we’re here to continue to help each other learn, grow, and build a better world.