Reflection on the Media

It is difficult for me this morning to grasp that September 11th happened nine years ago. The memory of it is still vivid and burned in my mind, as I know it is for all Americans. It is almost impossible to contemplate all that has taken place in the last nine years and to fully reflect on where we are now. I sit here today in the home country of one of the hijackers. It is Eid al Fitr here in the Islamic world. People are celebrating the end of Ramadan and enjoying their first big breakfasts in daylight. Lucille's, the diner in Maadi famous for American pancakes, was slammed yesterday morning. The streets are quiet and peaceful in the mornings. The Cairo air carried in it a tingle of cool breeze as I walked my dog at 9am.

In contrast to the travel advisory sent out two days ago, Cairo is relaxed, happy, and festive now. The response of many Egyptians to the madman in Florida has been one of calm observation. While they are deeply offended, they say that there are bad people everywhere. Violence is not warranted on their part and how can a man think that he could destroy the Quran anyway? How could a man destroy the word of God? It is impossible, he is only a man. The Quran will always be and he is only causing great offense to the many Muslims across the world.

There are many definitions of violence and abuse. I consider the Quran burning to be an act of violence. It is an act of hate towards a huge number of people. But then, it would not be so hurtful if not so many people knew of it. I hold the media responsible for fanning this flame. I am also aware that the general term "media" is over simplified and inadequate to fully address the issue. While it is the media's right to report what they choose, there should be discretion on their part and consideration of the consequences of their actions. This guy wanted all the media coverage and he got it.

Now the news is focused almost exclusively on America's diagnosis as Islamaphobic. You just need to look at the cover of Time magazine to see that. While the media does provide a certain amount of soul searching across the American public, I would also argue that it additionally reinforces ideas into the minds of most people. I hope it is not a sort of self fulfilling prophecy. If you focus on something obsessively you tend to become it. I am afraid that all this talk of Islamaphobia makes it more cemented into reality. It brings back old wounds and pains. We are rehashing the past again and again instead of moving forward in our relationships.

The media needs to recognize their power in stirring up emotion and shaping world view. I am sure they do already. They need to reconsider their role in national security. They need to remember that we are in a age of instant communication and interconnectivity. There is no longer one specific audience, like the American public, that receives a message. You cannot send out two different messages to two different audiences. You cannot say something to one and think the other has not heard. This is not the Cold War.  You have to remember our enemies exploit what we say and do. While fear should never be a driving factor in our actions, there is nothing wrong with sensible restraint.