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[This is a semi-regular column that takes a controversial and sometimes outrageous look at trends in business and the community. The intent is to stimulate thought and discussion. The opinions represented here do not necessarily represent the opinions of VentureConsult and ABC's of Small Business.] September 11th Will Change The Future - It seems obvious to me that it was not just the United States that suffered from the horrifying acts of terrorism executed on Monday; it was the World. The suicide-hijackers, presumably financed, equipped and trained by Osama bin Laden, were not cowards anymore than the kamikaze pilots of Japan's World War II effort were. They were simply, horribly and tragically perverted from a World that must become closer. No longer are we simply nations with our national agendas. Many of our interests are the same no matter where we are. We want food, shelter, family and friends. We all want satisfying personal lives, jobs that have meaning and lives with a purpose. No matter where we are, we are humans and we are more alike than we are different. The Hard Numbers
We View Ourselves as World Citizens More Than We Did in 1991 Most of us will remember seeing video of the Gulf War on the news. I was dazzled by its technical capabilities and shocked by the ability to create such destruction. The Internet has changed communications so strongly that I first heard about the World Trade Center via email. Of course, I switched on the news. But the news was only part of the story this time. In 1991, I simply didn't know anyone living in the Middle East. Since then I have had conversations with many people from there. It has brought us closer together, far more than I would have expected. Everyone that contacted me, whether they're true-blue-Yankee patriots or Middle Eastern Muslims, was angered and nauseated by this senseless violence. People, Not "Targets" The hijackers of United Flight 175 were blinded by hatred and obsession when they did not see 3-year-old David Brandhorst of Los Angeles, traveling with his daddy. They didn't see fathers, mothers, children and grandparents. Successful show business people, executives, workers, crew and people returning from vacations, weddings and funerals had lives that didn't just STOP. They ripped a hole in our future. None of the people who died can carry on with their work, their families, and their dreams. It is a loss for all of us. Ordinary Heroism in an Extraordinary Time Many of the passengers on the planes took the risky step of calling others on the ground with the news of the hijacking. The passengers of Flight 93 were unique in their ability to resist the hijackers. Thomas Burnett, Jeremy Glick (father of a three month old baby) and perhaps other passengers verified via their cell phones that the first plane crashed had occurred, and then took on the hijackers knowing that they were about to die. These men were genuine heroes and we salute them and mourn their loss. The rescue workers who were buried by wreckage and are now lost were heroes. So are the workers who go into the rubble each hour. So are the people who have lost family and friends. They carry on because they must. Lessons From World War II Let us remember the great injustices done to Japanese Americans during World War II. Most families were relocated, their property taken, all of their rights of citizenship and property stripped. Still, second and third generation Japanese-American soldiers fought for the U.S. during World War II, with heavy casualties and great bravery, while their families were deprived of liberty and citizenship rights and guarded in barebones, cold internment camps. Reports have already surfaced that U.S. citizens have turned against other U.S. citizens. An interviewee on National Public Radio this afternoon said it best: "This is not a reflection of Islam. It is a perversion of Islam." Islamic societies are repulsed by these acts. Retired U.S. Major General Howard Smith, interviewed on National Public Radio this afternoon, said that we must not let anger take control. Anger and outrage are justified and even needed at this point, but it must be controlled anger given a purpose to change the World and make it better for all. We must all take responsibility to make the changes that we can. We must refrain from simply grouping people together by nationality or religion and making them targets of any kind. Change We are all victims here and we can all win in the long term. It will take a universal cultural change. We must all work to reject terrorism directly against innocents, anywhere and at any time, as an "extreme" political action. It is NOT a political action, it is cold-blooded murder and it cannot, must not, be accepted as a tactic. All across America and the World, people are mobilizing against terrorism. In Palestine, Wednesday 9/13/01, Yasser Arafat gave blood for the victims. Israelis also gave blood. Countries with widely different cultures, religions and governments are joining to condemn these acts of violence and act to curb future terrorism. Prayer For those of you who pray or meditate, or would like to, there is an effort to mobilize millions people around the globe to pray for ten minutes at 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight/ 9 p.m. Pacific Daylight time from now until September 18. To find out how that converts in your area, please visit the World Time Server at http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ -Cindy Nemeth-Johannes
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