Terrorist attacks against the U.S. or any country for that matter are unspeakably tragic events. The way Americans everywhere have come together to support one another is remarkable. But one thing still baffles me. We do not know who did this, and they could strike again at any time.

If this is the case, why are we antagonizing these terrorists more by saying these attacks cannot hurt us, for we will keep on with our lives? The truth is that America was caught off guard. The terrorists got us, and we need to accept that.

Instead of focusing our energies on telling the world, “Hey there is nothing you can do to hurt us,” we should put more focus on helping those affected by what happened. We should listen to them and sympathize with them, not run out in the streets waving a flag and saying you can try to bomb us as many times as you like but no attack will bring us down. As last week’s events proved, we are not invincible. We are human.

This reminds me of a “Simpsons” episode when Homer is running from the mafia as they are firing at him. He calls back, “I said I was sorry!” and the mafia henchmen stopped shooting at him. However, Homer then uttered, “Sorry you’re such jerks!” And with that, the henchmen continued their pursuit.

-Bheru Gandhi
senior