Han

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says “Love your enemies,” he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies– or else? The chain reaction of evil–hate begetting hate, wars producing wars–must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. – Martin Luther King Jr.

I’ve never forced myself to write…until now. The conflict within my brain, heart, and soul is something I had never imagined, especially something that is seemingly so outside an actual direct influence on my life. Turning the news on around 10:30 pm May 1 I saw the headline that will forever be remembered by Americans; “Sources: Bin Laden Dead.” Much like my normal stoic self, I did not immediately react. I texted a few people I had been texting off and on all day to see if they had heard the breaking news. As I slid in bed, my eyes stayed glued waiting for President Obama to lay it out for us. After the seemingly endless two minute warnings he finally came on. Along with a majority of the 56 million other viewers I felt the pride when he said:

“Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

I was also reminded of my past sadness when he said:

“It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory - hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction. And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.”

Like so many others, 9/11 is in fact, SEARED into my memory. I remember being in class and someone coming in saying “The Twin Towers were hit by planes, campus is shut down.” I remember walking into my suite just as the second tower fell on television. I remember my roommate with tears in his eyes and fear in his heart, frantically dialing his cell phone trying to reach his parents who both worked in the Pentagon. I remember the momentary jubilation all of my roommates felt when he finally found out that his parents were ok. It was only momentary because that day was the day of all days, and we knew what it meant. I remember looking out of my dorm room in Queens and seeing the smoke from lower Manhattan. I remember having a floor meeting to talk about everything, and I remember saying at that meeting while staring at the smoke, “This is the beginning of World War III.” I remember the images of people dancing in the streets celebrating the attack, celebrating the death of nearly 3,000 people. I remember that making me angry and sad at the same time. How could people cheer for death?

Love is strong

But hate rules on

Look at the news

More people gone  

Hate fuels violence

Love fuels love

Hate runs the world

Love runs up above

-Excerpt from a poem I wrote when I was 21 years old (I can’t believe how close my words were to Dr. King.)

As pride was the emotion I felt when I rested my head on May 1. Sadness and shame is what I felt on May 2. As I saw people dancing in the streets like Lollipop Kids after the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, I was reminded of those past images. How could people cheer for death? In no way am I saying that Bin Laden didn’t outlive his welcome like the drunk guy at a party trying to kick a keg. He needed to be taken out, his presence in this world was a reminder that hate has too much power on our planet. Bin Laden’s death was necessary, but were the celebrations? Cormega, one of my favorite rappers, tweeted this: “To feel vindicated is one thing but the celebration of death is the utmost display of savagery! There is no winner. Peace triumphs over ALL.” Although I believe the use of the word savagery is hyperbole I agree with his sentiment. Closure is the word that best describes how I feel about Bin Laden’s death. He was responsible for numerous deaths of innocents, but now we cut the head off of the dragon and can hopefully promote peace in this cruel world. The patriotism that was so prevalent after 9/11 had faded. That patriotism is back, but unfortunately it is back with a vengeance.

I believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. Not because we are a superpower, but because of our values. With greatness comes responsibility, we are supposed to be better, WE NEED TO BE BETTER. We cannot stoop to the levels that our enemies are at. Now that we have closure, it is time to start moving on towards a peaceful world. This is where my conflict comes in. I understand the cheering and happiness, but we are better than that. I am saddened by our reactions but I am proud of our military brothers and sisters. The morale boost they must feel is long overdue after 10 years of horrific news. Thank you to all of those who have laid their lives on the line to protect our ideals. We need to justify their sacrifices by showing our righteousness. That is what an American is. Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor because at one time we were all tired, hungry and poor. Americans are supposed to be caring, compassionate, and peaceful. We must value the rights that we have and never try to take those away from anyone Like Rashard Mendenhall
Promote peace, not violence, love, not hate. These are the ideals that we were based on; this is what it is to be a true American. I’m proud to be a TRUE American…are you?

Explaining the Korean cultural concept of Han:

"There is no literal English translation. It's a state of mind, of soul, really. A sadness. A sadness so deep no tears will come. And yet still there's hope." – The West Wing