World News

The Importance of Unity in the Face of Chaos

Written by Joshua Smith - 15th September, 2001

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In times of desperation, fear, anger and confusion, it can be an element of human nature to search for blame. As members of a free and multicultural society, though, we must make a conscious effort not to assert responsibility or hate against people of any particular race or creed.

Just as the terrorist acts carried out against the innocent people of the United States are rightfully seen as horrendously unjust, the actions that we've witnessed from a few extremist elements of our native society have been equally immoral and misdirected. During the past few days, there have been reports of synagogues being fire bombed, school children of Arab descent suffering from the bullying actions of a few, and other members of Arab and Islam groups being instructed by their community leaders to maintain a low profile so as to avoid attack. With hundreds of thousands of peaceful citizens and visitors of Middle Eastern-origin present in Australia, and some 3 million Arab-Amereicans composing the United States population, this in-fighting must be stopped and its targets absolved of any blame if we are to successfully rally, regroup and reunite.

The most notable good to arise from the evil acts of this week has been the speed and resolve with which the world's peoples have united - in many cases against what tradition would dictate. When Libya, Russia, Cuba, China and many nations of the Middle East expressed their disdain for the terrorist acts and their willingness to support the United States, it became clear just how close the peoples of the world have become.

During his address at the nation's memorial service earlier today, President George W Bush celebrated the determination of heroes and the unity of the country's brethren. Part of his inspirational address was as follows:

It is said that adversity introduces us to ourselves. This is true of a nation as well. In this trial, we have been reminded, and the world has seen, that our fellow Americans are generous and kind, resourceful and brave. We see our national character in rescuers working past exhaustion; in long lines of blood donors; in thousands of citizens who have asked to work and serve in any way possible.

And we have seen our national character in eloquent acts of sacrifice. Inside the World Trade Center, one man who could have saved himself stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic friend. A beloved priest died giving the last rites to a firefighter. Two office workers, finding a disabled stranger, carried her down sixty-eight floors to safety. A group of men drove through the night from Dallas to Washington to bring skin grafts for burn victims.

In these acts, and in many others, Americans showed a deep commitment to one another, and an abiding love for our country. Today, we feel what Franklin Roosevelt called the warm courage of national unity. This is a unity of every faith, and every background.

It has joined together political parties in both houses of Congress. It is evident in services of prayer and candlelight vigils, and American flags, which are displayed in pride, and wave in defiance.

In response to the need for Australians to remain unified in preparation for the war against terrorism, Prime Minister Howard delivered the following comments during his press conference held on the 14th of September:

"...it is important for all Australians to bear in mind that there are probably a couple of hundred thousand Australians of Middle Eastern descent and heritage in our country and like any other ethnic group the overwhelming majority of them are wonderful Australians, law abiding and committed to the unity of this country. And it is essential that in the wake of what has occurred and the not surprising assumptions that have been made about where people may have come from, that those actions….that the naturally hostile and angry responses to those actions are kept well apart from our attitude towards Australians of Middle Eastern descent. They should not bear the burden of things that they despise as much as I do and it’s important, especially important at a time like this, that people of different faiths, indeed people of no faiths at all, that everyone be treated in a decent, understanding and tolerant fashion. I know that there are many Australians of Arabic descent who would share my horror and disgust at what has happened, and I want to make that very plain and I extend to them goodwill and the hand of friendship as a fellow Australian."