For the Collegian
Despite some technical difficulties, an ethnically diverse group of faculty, students, and State College residents gathered yesterday evening as a community to discuss the tragic events that occurred two weeks ago.
Various groups sponsored last night's presentation and video in the HUB-Robeson Center, but the main sponsor identified themselves as the newly formed "Committee to Foster Discussion around Sept. 11, 2001."
The first demonstration featured two members of the local Muslim community. Mumina Kowalski, Muslim chaplain of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, and Julie Belz, assistant professor of German and applied linguistics, showed a four-minute clip of an interview with Hamza Yusuf, a prominent American Muslim activist.
This film clip was followed by a reenactment of an interview with Yusar printed in the San Jose Mercury News on Sept. 15 of this year. Kowalski and Betz challenged the audience to compare conflicting media images of Muslims.
The floor was unexpectedly opened to discussion due to technical difficulties. At this time, Assata Richards (graduate-sociology) reacted to the previous presentation.
"I feel persecuted watching Islamic people defend themselves. We need to focus on how the world got to this point. This is not just the Islams, this is the world," she said.
Following the brief discussion, David Gamson, assistant professor of education, introduced a 35-minute clip of a 52-minute video titled "Hunting bin Laden." This film, created by the Public Broadcasting Service in 1999 and edited and re-released in 2001, focused on suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden's alleged association with previous terrorism and the United States' reaction to these acts.
The silent floor was then opened to discussion that encouraged comments as well as questions. Many of the attendees chose this time to discuss not only the recent acts of terrorism, but also the economic and social struggles that prompted the tragic events.
"Do we really want revenge or do we want justice?" asked Ramy Nasr (junior-pre-medicine), a member of the Muslim Student Association. "There needs to be a proved difference between the two. Why don't we speak and debate our own foreign policy?"
The presentation and film created an atmosphere that discouraged hesitancy. Audience members also posed questions about what can be done in the future to prevent terrorist actions.
Jameka Neil (junior-journalism) took the floor to make two additional points. Neil said, "If we really believe in freedom, then we really believe in the freedom of other countries not to be democratic."
There was a strong crowd reaction to Neil's comment. She added, "Anybody in this room tonight is no longer innocent. When you have knowledge, it is now your obligation to act on it."
If anyone is interested in attending further discussions of these events and topics, fliers are available at the HUB Information Desk. Students and residents can also contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) about upcoming discussion groups. Also, this Saturday, Sept. 29, there will be a discussion in 121 Sparks Building from 2 to 6 p.m.
