This is a truly insightful piece. While reading, at first the article's premise seems flighty, something that a pseudo intellectual might give voice to in order to enliven some boring party. But slowly, as we read the bulleted list we find ourselves saying: "Exactly!" This should be required reading for those shying away from supporting Israel.
Though I I think they absolutely would get torn down today, in some parts of the city.
Perhaps because our cell phones curate our information, many people simply cannot face any material or images that contradict their world view or they deem insulting to their in-group.
Sitting at a stop light last autumn, I noticed a red bordered 'kidnapped' poster with a child's photo taped to a lamp post. No sooner had I noticed it than a well-dressed late-20-something man, in trendy sneakers and sweater, beard perfectly trimmed, jumped out of a shiny new BMW X7, ran to the post and began furiously tearing it down.
Here's the thing: he was enraged. Totally enraged. By a poster of a toddler.
Looking at material from 9-11, I am reminded how defensive many Muslim communities were, some rightfully so, some just because their in-group was being criticized. If you're willing to tear down a poster of a child who's been harmed, you're willing to tear down pretty much anything.
I remember visiting NYC a little over a month after the attacks. The posters were still up, but they were more like a memorial at that point than a call to action.
What was especially poignant about 9/11 was that it hit NYC. A place like Columbia would be mourning dead students and teachers. Major media outlets based in NY lost people. I think that the fact that the brunt of the destruction was a left-wing city made the people who would have sympathized with the terrorists and pointed the finger at America less likely to do so. That was my impression at the time.
If 9/11 happened today, I think “some people” may have done exactly what you are hypothetically proposing. I can see the pulling down of posters, counting (and exaggerating) the number of civilians killed in Afghanistan, etc. Although the US may have made mistakes in how they progressed with the “war on terror”, I’m not sure there even would have been a consensus to go after anyone.
This is a truly insightful piece. While reading, at first the article's premise seems flighty, something that a pseudo intellectual might give voice to in order to enliven some boring party. But slowly, as we read the bulleted list we find ourselves saying: "Exactly!" This should be required reading for those shying away from supporting Israel.
Thanks for sharing!
Really well said.
Though I I think they absolutely would get torn down today, in some parts of the city.
Perhaps because our cell phones curate our information, many people simply cannot face any material or images that contradict their world view or they deem insulting to their in-group.
Sitting at a stop light last autumn, I noticed a red bordered 'kidnapped' poster with a child's photo taped to a lamp post. No sooner had I noticed it than a well-dressed late-20-something man, in trendy sneakers and sweater, beard perfectly trimmed, jumped out of a shiny new BMW X7, ran to the post and began furiously tearing it down.
Here's the thing: he was enraged. Totally enraged. By a poster of a toddler.
Looking at material from 9-11, I am reminded how defensive many Muslim communities were, some rightfully so, some just because their in-group was being criticized. If you're willing to tear down a poster of a child who's been harmed, you're willing to tear down pretty much anything.
I remember visiting NYC a little over a month after the attacks. The posters were still up, but they were more like a memorial at that point than a call to action.
What was especially poignant about 9/11 was that it hit NYC. A place like Columbia would be mourning dead students and teachers. Major media outlets based in NY lost people. I think that the fact that the brunt of the destruction was a left-wing city made the people who would have sympathized with the terrorists and pointed the finger at America less likely to do so. That was my impression at the time.
Wouldn’t be the same today bc the pro-Hamas demonstrations people are engaging in at “left-wing cities” are also anti-American.
If 9/11 happened today, I think “some people” may have done exactly what you are hypothetically proposing. I can see the pulling down of posters, counting (and exaggerating) the number of civilians killed in Afghanistan, etc. Although the US may have made mistakes in how they progressed with the “war on terror”, I’m not sure there even would have been a consensus to go after anyone.
This is a well-written post.