Perspective: The challenge before us

Americans are an independent people, at times divided in peace, but throughout our history we have found a common ground on which to stand as we faced our greatest challenges. Once again we have endured an unthinkable attack on our people and our values. We have lost some 5,000 of our countrymen. We have grieved and grown numb from grief. Some of our grandest buildings have crumbled but not our spirit. Now, it is time to grow stronger, together.

Every American has a role in the coming struggle against a hateful, and sometimes invisible, enemy. Already we have set aside our doubts about an inexperienced president and a divided Congress. Republicans and Democrats have joined hands, healing partisan wounds. Our government has moved forward, so far with firm resolve. Let it not flinch in meeting the challenges ahead.

Every American will be tested in the weeks and months to come. All of us -- the people and their leaders -- will need patience. Our campaign against an enemy that respects no boundary, physical or moral, will be long. It will take time to track down terrorist organizations, to build support among our allies and to strike effectively. At home, we could suffer additional attacks, perhaps as grievous as the last. Yet we cannot lose our way.

We start the battle with important strengths. International public opinion is with us. Most of the world has responded with an outpouring of sympathy, and many countries have offered their help. We will need it. Our military, often spread thin, has met the challenge in recent campaigns, earning respect from those we have defended and fear from those who have defied us. Economically, despite a recent downturn, we have great reserves of ambition and know-how.

Americans have already suffered a huge emotional and material loss, but we will have to endure even more. Those in the military, including our reserve forces, often pay the highest price. They risk their lives, and their families are asked to bear up under constant disruption. We should take every chance to show our gratitude to them.

The rest of us will have a chance to serve our country, as well. When our instinct may be to withdraw in self-interest, we will have to think of the greater good. We can show faith in our economy by resisting the urge to pull all of our investments out of the stock market. We should not fall victim to rumors by hoarding commodities or withdrawing from community life. We should conserve, but we should also invest, shop and seek out entertainment and discourse as in the past. The more we maintain our normal habits, the more we undermine our enemies' efforts to make us feel insecure and sow doubt about the institutions of American life.

Most important, we should not give in to basest fears. Those in our communities who are different in religion, ethnicity or culture are still our neighbors and deserve our respect. Our enemies will have won a major battle if, in defeating them, we disfigure American values. We should direct our anger at our true enemies.

And so the struggle has begun. We should give our leaders our vocal support, and expect them to lead carefully and wisely, but firmly. Yes, individual Americans still have political and philosophical differences. That is not a weakness of a great nation, it is a strength. But Americans know when it is time to stand arm-in-arm.

We are challenged to do so one more time.

Back to Perspective

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page