By Natasha Amlani
The crowd dances around, waves flags and sings songs in unison. It seems like they are celebrating the victory of a basketball game.
Instead, they are rejoicing in the death of Osama bin Laden.
News of bin Laden’s death reached me in a flurry of text messages and phone calls. There was an uproar of celebration from Americans across the nation. As I heard that hundreds of people were gathered outside the White House, ecstatic with jubilation, I began to wonder whether it was really right to celebrate someone’s death.
Bin Laden is considered to be responsible for the most devastating attack on the United States. Many viewed his death as a means of justice and a defeat of evil. His capture is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate, but his murder should not be viewed as a triumph.
Our celebratory efforts would be better directed to honor and remember those who died and suffered at the hands of terrorism. Some may say that celebrating bin Laden’s demise is their way of honoring those who died, because their deaths are coming to justice.
This reaction parallels celebrating the execution of a criminal who received the death penalty for murder. While loved ones may feel some relief, it would not be typical to celebrate this occasion.
The execution represents an equal response, an eye for an eye. It will not bring back the person killed. The satisfaction it brings is rooted in revenge, a way to appease those who suffered a death of a loved one, but it does not bring about justice.
Similarly, neither does bin Laden’s death. Justice would have been better served by allowing him to face accountability for his actions in the courts.
It is remarkable that the United States tracked down bin Laden, especially because he eluded capture for 10 years after the Sept.
11 attacks. Bin Laden was the central figure of al-Qaida. He unified the group, inspired extremists and was responsible for spreading their message.
The loss of this infamous leader will have a devastating impact to al-Qaida’s cause, and it restores and reaffirms faith in our government and our actions in the war against terrorism.
Yet rejoicing because someone has been murdered seems wrong, no matter who the person is. The images of people celebrating after bin Laden’s death bring back memories of al-Qaida supporters in the Middle East celebrating the deaths of 9/11 victims. Palestinians in Lebanon celebrated with gunfire, dancing and cheering. They were ecstatic that the U.S. was getting what it deserved for supporting Israel.
Just as Americans were angered by these hardened reactions to death, supporters of bin Laden may feel equally incensed and come together to retaliate against the United States. Despite bin Laden’s death, al-Qaida remains intact and is still a threat, demonstrated by the discovery of an alleged plot against Germany just last week.
As students at an institution of higher learning, it is part of our daily life to fervently discuss and ponder controversial issues, such as whether the death penalty should be legal, and whether it is morally right. Consequently, it is up to us to also question whether celebrating bin Laden’s death was appropriate, and to consider the future implications of the response.
Amlani is a second-year philosophy student.