The Tragedy of Beslan

This column was published on September 20th, 2004.

As a general rule, I’m very pro-American. I don’t jump on the weekly liberal "America is a bloody tyrant" bandwagon, in fact, I usually go out of my way to run those bandwagons right off the political road. Being an immigrant, I’m very grateful for all that I have. I’m exceptionally proud of being able to proclaim that I am an American and that I live in the greatest country on Earth.

It takes a lot for me to hang my head in shame of my country. Unfortunately, our leadership, as well as our people, have merited such an occasion.

On September 11, 2001, this country suffered the worst day in it’s history. Two thousand nine hundred and ninety six innocent civilian lives lost. A tragedy in it’s truest sense. On this day, and those to follow, not only did America rise against this atrocity, but so did the rest of the world. Countless foreign heads of state, world leaders, citizens, activists, everyone, expressed their grief and sorrow for America and stood with us as we began our ascension from the ashes.

The support and condolences brought tears to my eyes many times and the unconditional love expressed by the world was a true sight to behold.

So why on Earth, when Chechen rebels seized a school in Russia and undertook a 3-day siege, which resulted in the deaths of over 360 people to date, more than 160 of which were children, was CNN showing Hurricane Frances churning water 40 miles southeast of Florida?

A few weeks prior to the school siege in Beslan, Russia, two airliners exploded by supposed terrorist action, claiming nearly 100 more Russian lives. At this point, Hurricane Frances was still 100 miles away from the Florida coast, but apparently it was still very important news.

The world grieved for Russia. Over 160 of their children, the things any country should hold dearest, were brutally murdered, and the death toll is still rising as they pick apart the rubble that was formerly the school gymnasium. The United States offered a simple condolence, and went back to airing "breaking news" concerning Hurricane Frances movement over water.

What kind of disgustingly twisted hypocrisy is this? I’m not going to mention other arguments on how a war was "unjust," or whether or not our president was correctly elected. Those events are completely different. Over 1,200 people were taken hostage. Half of them are still in the hospital, a quarter of them are dead and the American public didn’t even flinch.

Not only is that wrong, it’s sick. I get noxious thinking about those poor parents whose children, instead of coming home excited about their first day of third grade, are now in a casket in the cold, unforgiving earth.

Nine days ago was the third anniversary of September 11. Many nations renewed their condolences and once again vowed to stand by us in the face of such atrocity. Many European news stations dedicated the majority of their programming to coverage of respecting "America’s Darkest Day." Over in America, MSNBC was still covering the effects of Hurricane Frances.

I ask that, we as a people, wake up. A horrendous act was carried out, and just because it was not on our soil is no reason not to acknowledge it. I’m not requesting people to fly out to Beslan and volunteer, I merely hope that the children and families of Beslan, as well the victims of the airline crashes be in your thoughts and prayers.

These children, these mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, and husbands had everything taken from them, and for no reason. The least we can do is take the time to honor and respect their lives and the sacrifice that was forced upon them.

For those wishing to donate aid http://www.moscowhelp.org is accepting donations for aid to the families of victims in the Beslan tragedy.