Re: Please, No Ribbons

Dear Colleagues~

In reading one of the most recent postings from Rachel at SUNY at New Paltz,
I realize even more the reality of intense, visceral reactions to the week's
horrific events.  My initial reaction to Rachel's posting is one of
disappointment followed by anger, as it seems to be a blow to the solidarity
which can result from sharing something as simple, trivial--and maybe
commercial--as a ribbon.  However, I realize that what we are all dealing
with--and will be dealing with for quite some time--are feelings of
vulnerability, fear, and shock, and these feelings manifest themselves in
many ways.  I remind myself of the necessity to first listen, attempt to
understand and then to react--not retaliate.

While a ribbon certainly cannot capture and speak for all of the pain and
frustration we are feeling, it is a start and can serve as a comfort when
shown in masses.  The ribbon stands only as a symbol for words and
sentiments that we have no way of otherwise expressing.  A ribbon has the
ability to silently express what words and language get in the way of.

Whether we live 90 minutes from the World Trade Center, or 900 minutes from
the World Trade Center it is important to remember we have all been impacted
and devastated by this sometimes unspeakable event.  It is also important to
remember that one voice cannot speak for everybody.

Here's to tying ribbons of any color we choose and using them as the base
for a movement of continuing comfort, communication, and remembrance.

Kristopher Gruba
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis



----- Original Message -----
From: <Rigolinr@aol.com>
To: <service-learning@csf.colorado.edu>
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 10:35 AM
Subject: Please, No Ribbons


> Everyone,
> Here at the State University of New York at New Paltz, about 90 min. from
the World Trade Center, our campus community and our local community have
been personally devestated.
> While I know we are all searching for "something to say or do," I implore
instructors not to reach for the usual banality. Symbolic ribbons (there are
now so many we don't even know WHAT COLOR TO USE) are a trivial
commercialization of a unspeakable, devestating event. Please, don't.
> Rachel Rigolino
> SUNY at New Paltz
> rigolinr@newpaltz.edu
>
>