This tragedy should unite all Americans

In the wake of what must be described as the most horrendous terrorist attack in the history of the United States, shocked and bewildered Americans across the nation are crying out for vengeance. Many Americans still can’t comprehend the horrific images of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers and the magnitude of death and destruction.

This well-coordinated vicious attack has been likened to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. After Pearl Harbor, Americans wanted to strike back. Japanese Americans became the instant targets of racial attacks, hatred and mistreatment, most having spent generations as American citizens. The U.S. government officially sanctioned and orchestrated the internment of Japanese Americans without benefit of trial or due process simply for being Japanese.

Evidence being gathered now supports that terrorist cells with middle eastern origins planned and executed the attack. Irresponsible and sensationalized journalism has painted a negative picture of people of Arab decent. The repeated broadcast of what was seemingly a small group youthful Middle Eastern celebrants, jubilant over the success of the attack, served to fuel our quest for vengeance and like Pearl Harbor, recent news reports indicate that innocent Arab Americans have become the targets of distrust and retaliation.

I agree that the United States should, and must take decisive and unprecedented military action against the perpetrators of this sinister attack. The problem is that we do not know exactly where the enemy is located. We must not indiscriminately bomb suspect Middle Eastern countries, nor must we mistreat Arab Americans who peacefully reside here and are equally appalled by this dastardly attack. If nothing else, this tragedy has united all Americans; pity it took an incident such as this to motivate people of all races, colors, religions and genders to unite and work together to achieve a common goal.

Everett