Resilient people generally do not dwell on past trauma — a reflection on our reflexive commemorations of 9/11

© 2016 Peter Free

 

11 September 2016

 

 

The United States seems to have institutionalized 9/11's sense of victimhood

 

We relive the Twin Towers trauma each year. We continue to support poorly thought out interventions abroad that arguably create more adversaries. Our rationale for violent power projection seems to be the wildly disproportionate pursuit of absolute safety against terrorists.

 

The result has not been kind.

 

Peter van Buren wrote a masterfully succinct "before and after" summary of 9/11's effects. It does not go in our strategic or moral favor. Click here to read it.

 

 

We have a courage split in the United States

 

Our volunteer military is willing to go anywhere at any peril. Our terror-fearing public "supports" their right to do so. And our leaders hype anxiety in the apparent hope that continuing the carnage will keep dollars and personal advancement flowing.

 

It is a Biblical mix. A parable about excessive fearfulness combined with national narcissism, overwhelming firepower and greed.

 

 

The moral? — American exceptionalism in this case is not admirable

 

When one thinks of what Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America endure on a daily basis, American infatuation with its 9/11 victimhood seems psychically misplaced. And that is without including what Europe and much of Asia endured not long ago.

 

Resilience requires remembrance without idolizing it. Pathology grows oppositely.