Call for a Non-Violent Response in the Aftermath

CALL FOR A NON-VIOLENT RESPONSE IN THE AFTERMATH Medica Mondiale September 19, 2001 We wish to express our shock and extend our deep sympathy to the relatives and friends ofthe victims ofthe brutal attacks in the United States. It is hard for us to see the suffering, even from across the seas, even as trauma counselors ourselves. And we cry for the people ofmany nations, ethnicities, and religions who died. The people of Kosova have put up posters ofsympathy with the people of the United States, and we have held vigils ofsolidarity with the victims from around the world. We have lived through war. We have been greatly helped in our recovery by the United States' representatives, who talked against revenge and promoted reconciliation as essential to achieve a future with true peace and democracy . We know what it is like to be attacked, to grieve, and to feel anger. Every day we attend to the physical and emotional pains ofthe women in our communities who continue to suffer from the violence ofwar. We listen to the stories and work together with women to find ways to productively channel negative emotions. Women in Kosova, still suffering from the symptoms of severe trauma, know what military responses do to innocent people and how long-lasting the consequences are. Therefore we understand the urge for revenge is strong. And we know that it must not be given in to. We know that a violent response can only bring more violence. It does not bringjustice. Instead it kills more innocent victims and gives birth to new holy avengers. It begins a new cycle and perpetuates more hate, more insecurity, more fear, and ultimately more death amongst civilians. We urge in the strongest possible terms for the United States and its allies to temper their anger and to refrain from the folly ofa sweeping "military solution." Terrorists are not nations. And nations must not act like terrorists. [Meridians:feminism, race, transnationalism 2002, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 272-3]©2002 by Wesleyan University Press. All rights reserved. 272 We do notwish to have you see your young men go to war and lose their lives, like thousands ofour sons, fathers, and husbands did. We are horrified that there is talk ofattacking and putting at risk millions ofpeople's lives because ofthe acts ofa few. We do not wish to have war on a country or countries full ofinnocent adults and children, who already suffer at the hands oftheir leaders and who themselves have committed no crimes. We know that bombs are not smart, we know they kill women, children, and old people andwe knowonlytoowell thatitis mainlythe womenwho bear the taskofrebuilding societies torn apart bywar. This is ourwork at present and it is very hard work. We do not wish to see countries' economies devastated and its people madepoorerforgenerations to come. We do not wish to see Americans attacked, killed, or made afraid in the United States because oftheir religious or ethnic identities. We wish for all nations to be proud and to build society and politics that respects individuals and groups and promotes diversity. American politicians and decision-makers, grieve for your dead and find ways to protect the living! But we ask you not to put us and your citizens at more risk. Whatyou are threatening to unleash is making us afraid for the world. Do not endanger the people ofAsia, the Middle East, and northern Africa. Warwill surelyimperil us all and future generations also. Please rememberyour pastand learn from ours, and work to leave a legacy ofjustice and peaceful construction, not ofrevenge, destruction, and war. SEPTEMBER 11: A FEMINIST ARCHIVE 273 ...