Student organizes SpeakOut regarding Sept. 11 incidents
By Tom Clark
Old Gold and Black Reporter

Students and faculty gathered Oct. 4 in Tribble Hall to take part in the 911 SpeakOut, a forum held to discuss the Sept. 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. Senior Lee Anne Quattrucci organized the forum to give students the opportunity to find out more about the Taliban and the current U.S. conflict with Afghanistan.

“I personally believe that people telling the stories of their lives is at the core of conscious raising,” Quattrucci said, “We have been quick to return to normalcy without even offering a forum for people to talk, express their emotions and share their stories.”

Approximately 30 students, as well as several faculty members attended the session, which featured an informal group discussion. Charles H. Kennedy, a professor of political science and expert on the political and social background of the Middle East and the Taliban, spoke at the meeting.

Kennedy discussed the differing views of Americans toward terrorist issues and the encroaching possibility of retaliation or war.

“They hope that war can be avoided, but Americans are agitating to do something,” he said.
Kennedy provided an historical background of the Taliban including discussion of their leaders and their distinctive youthfulness, he offered his opinion of the fundamentalist group and what he considers their inability to govern Afghanistan.

The discussion later focused on the media’s role in forming public opinion as well as the issue of commercialism and globalization as one of the purposes of terrorist attacks.
“Was this an attack against the U.S. or against globalization? The targets could suggest either motive,” Kennedy said.

Students also used the forum as a way to voice their concerns and thoughts about the events of Sept. 11. Attendees expressed concern with the United State’s actions and discussed American’s reactions.

“The idea of people who don’t care because they are not directly affected is really scary,” freshman Dorothy Jackson said, “I don’t understand what the hostility is and where it is coming from.”

“The reality is we are not powerless,” Quattrucci said. “We just have to make sure that we do not sit back and wait for this time to pass. Or even worse, get caught up in the tide of anger. I just really hope that people felt safe enough to discuss their feelings and ask their questions.”

“Everyone seems to have an opinion about the events of Sept. 11 – what motivated it, who did it, how we as a country should react – but I honestly feel like I don’t know enough to answer those questions,” Senior Tracy Strickland said. “I guess I went to the SpeakOut in hopes of learning more, sharing my thoughts with other students and hearing other opinions. It was obvious that those of us in the room didn’t agree on many aspects of the discussion, but I think the process of talking it all out, with Dr. Kennedy as an expert, helped us all to understand the complexities and difficulties involved.”