As history unfolds, the perspectives of future generations may differ greatly from our own. Imagine a world where the absence of sorrow equates to a lack of understanding the significance of forging a free society. It would be akin to regarding the grand tales of our past—replete with kings, queens, knights, damsels in distress, and towering castles—as mere works of fiction. Will they perceive our present endeavors as fiction as well? Will they read about the destruction of our towering pyramids (symbolizing the World Trade Center) and contemplate how a mere vehicle brought them down, reminiscent of Joshua and the walls of Jericho?
They will encounter narratives of hatred, fear, and deception as they delve into the accounts of the Middle East and the attack on America. Our world is plagued by evil, and Americans have found themselves on the receiving end of this malevolence. Since September 11, 2001, we have lived in constant fear, grappling with a vulnerability unprecedented in our history. The lies perpetrated by our adversaries are akin to tales of a thief in the night, leaving us uncertain of when, where, why, or how they will strike.
Dictators across the globe embody a visionary blindness that remains hidden from the rest of the world. We only truly began to comprehend the inner workings of China in the 1970s. Its citizens yearn for freedom and a visionary existence, yet they remain blinded by the grip of communism. Even a blind man possesses a vision of what life could be, despite his lack of sight. Though the Chinese may be shrouded in darkness, they retain an innate understanding of life and the yearning for liberty. To the external world, the Chinese always maintain a composed facade. Their dominance stems from the fact that nobody else can fully experience, relish, or participate in the liberties of freedom that the rest of us often take for granted. Behind their seemingly expressionless faces lies a population crying out, bereft of someone to assuage their tears. Throughout the years, their countenances have become etched with the tears of oppression. The fear of the unknown is comparable to the sensation of being watched by an unseen observer, engendering a disconcerting feeling. Like a silent symphony, the music plays on, but we are deaf to its harmonies. We can merely perceive a faint whisper of the melody beneath the cacophony of screams that reverberate through the night.
In today’s world, the most perilous and widespread fear manifests as the refugee crisis. In Africa, the Hutus find themselves displaced due to the animosity of the Tutsis, wandering aimlessly without a place to call home. In the Middle East, the Palestinians have been uprooted from their land and confined to refugee camps, losing everything they once possessed. Bombs relentlessly rain down upon them as they struggle to survive on narrow strips of territory, and when the day concludes, they are left with nothing. Even if a peace agreement were to materialize, they would forever remain lost, bereft of a place to return to. The Israelis refuse to accept them on the land they have taken, while many Arab states are unwilling to offer them sanctuary, fearing for their own safety and stability.
We still have a final opportunity to sow the seeds of a life that will resonate in the distant future. Americans possess a unique chance to alter the world’s perception by showcasing our true character. We must demonstrate to the world that we will confront and eliminate the fears, animosity, and falsehoods that plague our global community, relinquishing any trace of arrogance.
