I had an intense experience this morning, and I’ll never forget it. At Dover Middle/High School, HS Student Council members have to say the pledge and read the morning’s announcements each day. This month is my assigned month (and some other people’s), and I had an additional duty this morning. Directly after saying the pledge, I was to instruct the student body to remain standing for a moment of silence to remember everyone impacted or stolen from us six years ago.
While reciting the pledge and this unique announcement, I became very emotional. I was certain that I would be fine before doing it, but upon saying, “I pledge,” I felt immensely sad. Completing sentences was painful, and I’m amazed that I was able to finish the task without stopping completely.
It was obvious that I was troubled by the task, but people were kind enough not to say anything to me about it. I wish I didn’t have to do that this morning. To a much greater extent, I wish no one had to.
What’s past is past. I believe we should aid those who lost family members on that day. I believe we should get our revenge on only those who aided the alleged attackers, and come back home. I do not believe in moments of silence because silence says nothing. I said that in Public Affairs today; a bigoted riot ensued, attacking my so-called anti-Americanism, inhumanity, and terrible character. Is this what America has come to? Why do humans allow their emotions and sympathy to cloud their logic? Why are those in the minority belief always labeled as the evil ones?
“Why do humans allow their emotions and sympathy to cloud their logic?”
Michael, logic only goes so far. I think I’m a logical person, but emotion has a way of overriding logic, no matter how hard one resists. Sometimes it’s a bad thing and other times it’s good.
Humans are inherently hybrid beings; we are physical creatures with extensive logical abilities, but we also have souls that tend to tap into the deepest realms of our very being.
Emotions are often manifestations of what’s going on inside if us. They reach beyond our outer, rational selves and bring forth sensations that sometimes overwhelm us.
If we were strictly logical, we would be incapable of emotion, but as we are not, sometimes things of the soul shine through (regardless of whether or not we want them to at times!)
Deep adversity tends to call on those things inside us - we think of immense human suffering, of how it consumes so many, we think of mortality and the inability to escape it - these are affairs of the soul. They and our logical sense do not always share a commonality. It is no wonder that refelctions on the 9/11 disaster deeply trouble people.
We can’t stop being human.
Or can we? Are you familiar with an old saying of my people?
“Does not compute.”
Sorry, I’m pretty sure we can’t.