Cautiousness does not mean anxiousness
by Patreece Dade, reporter

    I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but discussions about Sept. 11, war and bio-terrorism seem to surround us.

    Whether on television, on radio or in a classroom, the topic of choice for many has revolved around the fear of what could possibly occur next in our nation.

    I feel distraught over the present “state of anxiety” in which the American people are living. Although we are portraying the image of supreme patriotism, trepidation still seems to lie beneath our every thought and action.

    How can we expect to move forward as a nation if we allow ourselves to succumb to the emotionally paralyzing effects of fear?

    Is that not what the terrorists were attempting to do—evoke terror into our hearts and minds?

    As an American citizen, I would hate to see this society, one that boasts so freely of resiliency, become faint-hearted and downtrodden.

    I am deeply vexed by the notion that some individuals possibly are lying in a fetal position refusing to leave their homes. Others have altered or completely aborted their daily routines of living.

    Don’t misunderstand me; I am a personal advocate of discretion, but you must realize that the words cautious and anxious are not necessarily synonymous. Cautiousness doesn’t bring about mental anguish and paranoia; however, anxiousness does.

    A recent newscast reported that the majority of the American public is experiencing restlessness and may even be on the brink of hysteria.

    Even after acknowledging the current affairs of this country, I felt somewhat surprised to have heard such a report.

    Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I am the minority, and everyone else is the majority, but I refuse to allow terror to paralyze and dictate my life.

    Recently a friend asked me how I feel about the present situation. I expressed the same sentiments that I am sharing now.

    To her, my views were so shocking and seemingly callous, she could only ask, “Are you serious?”

    Well, yes, I am. I believe that each of us must go on with life and with the process of living.

    Some people think that in order to examine life, they must stop involving themselves in life’s activities. Rest assured, that is not true.

    Let us recognize that in order for people truly to reflect on life, they must actually participate in its cycle.

    If we spend the majority of our time wondering and fearing what might happen, what portion of our time are we spending actually living?

    We must not forget that this country is heralded as “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

    America is the same country—with respect to freedom of religion—that places on its currency the motto “In God We Trust.”
Have we not resounded the phrase “God Bless America” almost to the point of exhaustion?

    If we are a country that sincerely values those expressions in reference to God, then we should realize that this is the same God who instructs us to neither fret nor fear.

    In the oracles of history, we have been epitomized as a country free of the stronghold of fear as well as one that cultivates individuals of valiant character.

    I agree that Sept. 11 was a wake-up call and at best a sounding alarm. Honestly, though, I am still waiting for someone to hit the snooze button.