InSpiritry

Today, six years post 9-11, there are stories to be told.

Ahlam al Goubori, a mother of three who in the early days of the war in Iraq served as one of the first Iraqi assistants to American forces in providing social services, now sleeps on the floor in an threadbare Damascus apartment. Her days are spent providing English lessons to refugee children and helping exiled families. Forgotten by the U.S. and separated from her extended family, she does not talk of 9-11, but instead tells the story of kidnapping and torture by Al Caida for her aid to troops, the reason for her decision to leave Iraq. When asked about the U.S. and why she cannot return to Iraq, she sighs, “Something broken inside me.” (NPR’s Morning Edition)

A teenager named Ban Ismet was not in the twin towers but was the victim of the resultant violence when, just a few months ago, insurgents fired at least three mortar rounds at the al-Khulood girls secondary school. Ban told Reuters at Nuaaman Hospital that she was in the school yard when the blasts hit and she was wounded in the legs: “I couldn’t see much but what I saw was my friend Maha who was lying beside me on the ground. The shrapnel hit her in the eyes and there was blood all over her face. … She was dead.” (CNN.com)

Hassan Khalidy, a young Iraqi dentist who is well-informed about world events, must stay indoors to avoid kidnapping, torture and car bombs. He admits that Al Caida terrorists are the source of much of the violence in his country. That said, he writes in an email to an American penpal in Texas that George Bush chose to come to Iraq and did so with great promises for its people. He said Iraqis were told America would bring freedom and establish democracy there as a model for the entire Middle East. His reminder to Americans: “So sorry, nothing of the promises happened.” (NPR’s Morning Edition)

Deora Bodley was a junior at Santa Clara University when she boarded United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. She was the youngest of the 44 passengers killed when that flight was highjacked by terrorists and crashed in a field. Asked about the resulting fight against terrorism, her family said they found no comfort in the two wars waged on behalf of Deora and the thousands of 9-11 victims, that neither Afghanistan or Iraq was responsible for the attacks, that of the 19 hijackers, 15 of them were Saudis. (CommonDreams.org)

Stories. Narratives of real lives in real places. Tales that weave a tapestry of how things really are. Six years after 9-11, no commentary is needed; the stories tell their own truth.

So, what is your personal narrative about 9-11, about the war in Iraq, about freedom, about American ideals, about peace in the world? What is your story about balancing self-interest against the Greater Good?  Let’s use this 9-11 to take a look at the hard truths of our own personal stories. What tales do our lives tell? If we can live it, we ought to be able to look at it!

To close, here’s one more story:

An American woke up this morning. He was one of those who never really believed war was the best answer to the tragedy of 9-11, but who thought Osama bin Laden should be brought to justice. He is not a political activist, but neither is he hard-hearted or apathetic. He is just living his life. On the way to work, the American remembers it is September 11, and recalls the sickening day the towers fell. For a few moments, he lets his mind consider the thousands of victims that day and then the desperate refugees, wounded children, terrified soldiers, heartless terrorists and stubborn politicians that followed. Then, jolted by a telephone call, he is sidetracked by his busy schedule. He will work hard all day without another thought of his part in the events post 9-11. Tonight as the news blares details of the latest tragedies, he will return to his lovely home and comfortable family, and then…  what’s next? oh, yes, I forgot to mention: you must finish this story!

For those who want to know more about present day Iraq, Texans for Peace offers a stunning photojournalistic tour of  life in that country with up-to-date photos and informational commentary.

If you are ready to become a personal peacemaker, check out the organizations on my InSpiritry links webpage.

In a Post 9-11 World, You Can Be a Blessing!

Need a story of hope in the face of despair? Try my giftbook:

Kevin and the Seven Prayers - a Parable of Peace

Learn more about InSpiritry and Anne McCrady

Subscribe to InSpiritry Emails

Contact Anne McCrady

Join the InSpiritry Conversation on the Greater Good–

Add Your Comment!

Technorati Tags:War 9-11 Peace Iraq Flight 93 Life in Iraq

Trackback Address for This Posting: http://www.inspiritry.com/wordpress/2007/09/11/peace-post-9-11/

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 at 10:00 am and is filed under Anne McCrady, War, InSpiritry, Greater Good, Peacework, Politics of Possibility, Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.