Article December 3, 2001 Issue

Remove the roots of hatred

BY Nate Talbot

Why do they hate us so much?" the headline screamed across the front page of The Idaho Statesman. Readers were still reeling from the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Many were unaware of the depth of animosity harbored by some who feel they have profound grievances against the United States. Since then, thoughtful searching and real efforts to understand have been taking shape.

A lot of the efforts to understand the "why" focus on clashes of religious, cultural, social, or political perspectives. We've seen debates, economic sanctions, diplomatic initiatives, military action. Some of these may prove helpful. Some may not. But sooner or later, more will have to be done. The very roots of hatred will have to be removed—that is, if we want real and lasting security.

We can't talk people out of hatred. We can't bomb it out of them. We can't even be nice enough to them that maybe they won't hate us or try to hurt us any longer. Only when we understand how to dissolve the actual origins of malice will we feel truly safe.

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