Students express thoughts to Sept. 11 attacks
As news from the Sept. 11 tragedies buzzed around the hallways and classrooms on MUSC’s campus, so did the myriad of thoughts, feelings and emotions that surfaced from many students, employees and staff reacting to the day’s catastrophe.
Students
and staff add their thoughts to the remembrance poster.
The events prompted a handful of students: Ricky Choi, COM student and American Medical Student Association (AMSA) member; Tom Dozier, Student Government Association president and COM student; Emily McDaniel, COM student and AMSA member; and Thanh Vo, COP student, to establish an idea on their own that would reflect on the tragedy.
Their focus was to find an effective medium that would allow free speech and expression of the thoughts, reflections, petitions, opinions and concerns of MUSC students, staff or anyone regarding the Sept. 11 attacks and the events thereafter. The students sought guidance from fellow students and confirmed their plans with MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. and Provost Rosalie Crouch, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs.
A poster was created and erected at the north wall of the first floor Library and Administration building on Sept. 17 and remained there for the next three weeks.
“The exercise allowed many individuals to share their true thoughts for the moment and think past the confusion,” Choi said.
“Perhaps this action has helped our community to grow in a therapeutic and cathartic way that has helped us to move forward as a nation recognizing that Sept. 11 was more than just a sad day for America.”
“It’s always good for people undergoing a traumatic situation to find ways to talk through their issues of fear, anxiety, anger, grief,” said Samuel Murdoch, staff chaplain, Department of Pastoral Care and Education. “When I assist patients, my approach is to ask them to tell me a story. By doing this the patient can record their feelings and thoughts continually through journaling. It’s a therapeutic way for people to help manage thoughts and be in control of an out-of-control situation.”
Some of the thoughts shared:
“Justice will prevail where terrorism has failed.”
“If God be for us, who can be against us.”
“We are all Americans, no matter our background...”
“The favor of God be toward America as we rise above this crisis. God bless America.”
“Through this tragedy we have once again truly come together as ‘one nation under God.’ God bless America.”
“In memory of Capt. John Ogonowski
(American Airlines Flight 11).”
“The victims in NYC, Washington and Pa. are in my thoughts and prayers. May we stand united without prejudice. God bless us all.”
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
“May God protect those whose wish is to do good and save those whose
desire is not.”