PrincetonUniversity
 

Memorial Service, Cannon Green
September 16, 2001 

Remarks by
Marta Tienda
Maurice P. During Professor in Demographic Studies
 

Over the past few days we have all been stunned by a profound sense of loss, grief, and, yes, anger about the cruel and devastating acts that took the lives of countless innocent victims.

And we have been moved by the pleas of fellow citizens searching for their loved ones. We have all asked why? We thirst for understanding and guidance about how to respond.

Institutions of higher learning have an important role in promoting understanding, not in the terms of reason, in this instance, for these were not reasonable acts; not in the terms of retaliation, for repeated wrong-doing has never corrected errors, however grotesque and unconscionable; but rather, in the terms that will help all nations comprehend that we are one world with deeper commonality than our apparent differences convey.

It is a tall order to invoke forgiveness while we are hurting in ways few among us could even fathom before Tuesday. The rhetoric of attack and war only fuels feelings of rage and the urge to retaliate far and wide.

We have reason to be disgusted; but that is no reason to hate.

We have reason to want retribution, but never to respond in like terms.

Bringing perpetrators of evil to justice need not indict and crucify others for mere likeness. Such acts are equally cowardly and inappropriate.

As a nation we have been challenged to rise to a new occasion that will be etched forever in our hearts and memory; we are challenged to illustrate once again that we are a world leader; that we will not stoop to the trenches of evil and human destruction; that the word "United" in our name stands for the strength of our character to become and act as one for greater global purpose; and that we can and we will lead by example and action to make world security a global priority.

We can find consolation in each other and the collective mobilization of good will. I find consolation in the outpouring of compassion and humanitarian support from fellow citizens throughout the country. Age, race, sex, religion, or any other socially constructed differences are trivialized by our shared values and current distress.

I find comfort knowing my 11 year old deposited his allowance into a jar collecting contributions for relief to NYC victims;

I find comfort in the words of friends and colleagues from many other countries who were moved by the horrendous events to send their condolences, their love, and their solidarity as we cope with our grief and seek constructive solutions to prevent similar catastrophes elsewhere.

Let us all find consolation and strength in the symbols and acts of unity that we have witnessed, and the courage to lead the way for world peace and security through example.

In doing so, we can find inspiration in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson's Ulysses.

Come, my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world.
For my purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset; and 'tho
we are not that strength which in old days moved earth
and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper
of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong |
in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Juntos venceremos; no caminamos solos.
Together we shall overcome; we do not walk alone.

/pr/news/01/q3/0916-tiendaremarks.htm

Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School
Director, Population Research
Director, Program in Population Studies