When will it stop?: Osama bin Laden’s death

Credit: Andy Colwell/AP

The death of terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden, which was announced on May 1st resulted in a flurry of celebration across the country. College students were in the streets like it was Mardi Gras; even the White House had its own shindig. The joyous feeling that accompanies the downfall of a leader who has campaigned for the death of so many Americans is not a surprise, however a grand public display that celebrates the death of another human being is unacceptable and shameful. I’m not saying we should not feel relieved or even joyous at bin Ladens permanent removal from power and his departure from this world. However, I feel that openly celebrating his death with the Star Spangled Banner while chanting “USA” only sends a message to the rest of the world that we, as Americans, celebrate in the death of others which seems to only confirm the extremist beliefs that bin Laden campaigned for to begin with–that Americans are evil.
Perhaps we need to take a step back. Reflect on bin Laden’s death, the wrongful life he lived, and the course of the future of Afghanistan and America. Will it be paved in peace or hate? I certainly hope that in the future, we will be celebrating life… not death.