My day of remembrance was soured by Alison Herget's column ("Students should redirect their passion for revenge," Sept. 11). Her message: educating ourselves about culture and international politics will heal our 9/11 wounds.

Education is an important response to the challenge presented by any tragedy, but no amount of study can bring understanding to acts of blind hatred, and misdirected self-censure only broadens their impact. Sadly, my knowledge of Islam, US foreign policy, and the geopolitical climate of the Middle East offer little comfort and little insight into the motivations of terrorists.

It's natural to seek reason when an event such as this disrupts our world order and contradicts all that we wish to believe about humanity. There is tremendous benefit to be gained through this search -- namely preventing ignorant retribution.

Nevertheless, we must realize that such irrational displays of hatred rarely stem from true injury, but from violent paranoia. We should increase our awareness of our government's actions and how they are perceived abroad. We should celebrate the unity of all Americans, of every heritage and endeavor to understand foreign cultures. But on the anniversary of that tragic day, let us quietly mourn the anniversary of an event that will remain forever without explanation.