What is a cynic?
According to Webster, a cynic is “a faultfinding captious critic” especially “one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest.” At one time or another, Americans have personified the word. In fact, in an airline setting, what American today will not take a second look at a woman in a hijab or a man in a thobe? In many U.S. communities, how many find faults and doubt the acts of kindness of ethnic minorities?
Back in 2001, the aftermath of the September 11 bombings saw a united America: All throughout the U. S., volunteers came to New York to help in the rescue and recovery efforts. Americans rallied behind President George W. Bush in his plans to eliminate the cause of such a huge national heartache. Money was raised for the rescuers and for the victims.
Church leaders urged Americans to stay calm in building a stronger foundation for the nation. Yet many times after September 11, the grief America felt manifested in anger and violence especially aimed at Arab Americans and Muslims.
Others who did not resort to violence were guilty of cynicism and racism. Suddenly, trust became a rare commodity and privacy a forgotten concept. Espionage was taken to a whole new level. The Department of Homeland Security was created, and the National Security Agency begun its warrantless surveillance.
Suddenly, peaceful ethnic and religious minorities became targets, subjected to suspicions, avoidance, and sometimes, violence. A Muslim’s action in a public place became an object of speculation. A neighbor became a possible intel agent or a spy. People doubted the intentions of others. More recent history includes Trump’s travel ban, which restricted citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Such are the realities after 9/11.
While many are willing to pay the price to secure peace and order, others have expressed their concerns and shown support for victims of cynicism and racism. America, however, is far from restoring its faith in other people, far from recovering from the effects of 9/11. But America too has always come through triumphantly against the factors that have tried and tested its strength as a democracy and as a united people. Perhaps in due time it will triumph once again and give no room for cynicism, racism, and terrorism.
