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Caliifornia State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Created: September 18, 2001
Latest Update: September 21, 2001
E-Mail jeannecurran@habermas.org
E-Mail takata@uwp.edu

Feelings and Reactions
from the Week of September 17, 2001 - Week 4

Copyright: Jeanne Curran and Susan R. Takata and Individual Authors: September 2001.
"Fair use" encouraged.

"I don't know how to feel." Journal entry by Paula Bermuda

On Monday, September 17, Perla Bermuda wrote:

Subject: Sept 11

It is hard to express my feelings regarding the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. Even in writing this e-mail I am hesitant because I don't know how to feel. I guess its hard because I am surrounded by people who are cheering for the United States and are moved by the unity that has occurred as a result of this tragic event. I just cannot seem to get in that same spirit....I feel that what really matters are the lives that have been lost and the suffering that the families are enduring. Part of me feels that those who are responsible should pay, but I am afraid of the approach that may be taken by our country. I am afraid that more innocent lives will be taken as a result of our actions (Here and in other countries). The people who died were innocent victims & it would be wrong for us to do the same thing. I read a bumper sticker that said "we kill people who kill people to show that killing is wrong". This was probably the best way to put it.

At the same time I recognize that if the US does nothing, we will go down. The enemy will see us as vulnerable and the losses will only increase. I know that our country needs to take action.....It's just hard to say that and know that we will probably do the same to the enemy but also innocent people who surround them. I guess the bottom line is that we do not live in a Utopian society and in order for countries to survive and be free, they must fight.

After reading, Understanding Evil: Zimbardo, I feel less guilty since it seems that many of my issues were addressed. It is understood that this was not a senseless act, at least not to the terrorist. Terrorism is real and we need to understand why people do what they do. There are so many thoughts in my head, and at moments I am overwhelmed. I guess I just wanted to share some of my random thoughts.

Perla
Soc 355

On Monday, September 17, jeanne responded:

Perla, I'm so glad you wrote. We all need at this point civil discourse to try to sort out our feelings. I am as confused as you are. And, yes, I agree that it helps to read what others are thinking. I'm glad Zimbardo's op ed piece helped.

I have been torn for the last several days between putting up your expressions, putting up theory for discussions, and putting up a balance of what many wise and caring people are saying on all perspectives of this crisis. I wish we'd had a whole editorial board set up by last Tuesday, but that was not to be. I wish I could upload three times as fast, but that is also not to be. Instead, we'll muddle through, lean on each other, and build our site securely for the future.

love and peace, jeanne

"How I Feel about What Happened September, 11 2001."

Journal entry by Miriam Romero.

On Friday, September 21, 2001, Miriam Romero wrote:

On September the 11th i turned my tv on, and I saw the news, but I thought it was a movie. Ten minutes later, I realized that america was under attack. At first I felt really scared, because I didn't know where the terrorists were going to attack next. It could have been us, but thank God they didn't attack Los Angeles. After, my fear turned into sadness for all those people that were killed and for all those people that lost their loved ones. I felt really sad. because I couldn't do anything to help those poor and innocent people. My final emotion is anger, I am very angry at those terrorists that think they did a good thing by killing all these innocent people. I am still very angry because I feel useless, I can't do anything but pray for those people that lost their loved ones. I believe that our lives have to go on.

Miriam Romero
Soc 355-01 1-3:45

On Friday, September 21, 2001, jeanne responded:

Miriam, the way you describe the whole gamut of feelings fits with what we've have been discussing all this week. Our affective responses are not going to be consistent. All these feelings are valid, and only as slowly adapt to this newly experienced threat are we going to find emotional stability again. That's OK. Any catastrophe of this enormity is bound to wreak havoc with our nerves and our emotions.

I was particularly touched by your recognition of the feeling of helplessness. One way to cope with that feeling is to express it, as you have done here, and then to seek interactions that will help dispel that feeling.

Emily Klug, of UWP, expressed very similar reactions. And Kerry Partika, of CSUDH, found some relief through sharing correspondence with one of the parents who lost a son in the World Trade Center.

As we grow comfortable with our forum, and with finding our way around it, many more will share ways they have found to cope with these feelings, as well as with their feelings of rage and fear.