Discussion follows U.S. attacks
By MARY CAMPE
News Writer
Three Saint Mary's professors discussed the political ramifications, the religious connotations and the media coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington in a panel on Tuesday.
Communications professor Linda Berdayes focused on the media and how it portrays the events. She gave an overview of her reaction to what happened and her opinion of the media's coverage.
"I found myself repelled and obsessed with the media," Berdayes said.
Berdayes explained how the media has selected and influenced the public's image of what happened. She also expressed her concern for the responsibilities that the media has and whether it has fulfilled those throughout the coverage of last week's events.
Political science professor Marc Belanger spoke on behalf of a political standpoint. He explained how the U.S. should view the attacks and the attackers. Belanger tried to explain to the audience the different views and opinions of terrorism.
"One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter," Belanger said.
Belanger said the U.S. must be patient with its decision on retaliating against these attacks. He believes the United States must understand their enemy and how the enemy views the United States.
"We (United States) are not very patient with our decisions," he said referring to the decision to go to war. "Politics is a world where short, quick solutions and answers will not solve anything. Any political, violent actions are going to put us in a worse situation."
John Incandela of the Religious Studies Department closed the discussion. He shared different quotes and resources to identify different religious and political views of the attacks.
"I am overwhelmed with the religious dimensions of this act," Incandela said. "This is an asymmetrical war not against a known country or soldiers in identifiable uniforms."
He went on to say that the United States must first review the act before so quickly reacting to it.
Students, faculty and members of the community all attended providing questions and discussions following the comments given by the panel. Many attendants voiced concerns of what they should do and what other ways America can handle this situation, as well as comments regarding the media.
"I think this [panel] was a good start for us to work out or own reactions and questions," said sophomore Kristen Carrigan.
Justice Education chair Jan Pilarski helped organize this panel to help members of the Saint Mary's community deal with their questions and emotional stresses dealing with the attacks. She hopes that this panel and discussion helped people come together and better deal with their emotions surrounding the event.
"This is only the first step for people to broaden what they know and feel about what happened," said Pilarski.
The Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership, the Justice Education Program and the Center for Academic Innovation sponsored the panel.
All News Stories for Wednesday, September 19, 2001
