Editorial: The Power of the Human Spirit
Damon Vangelis
Issue date: 10/1/01 Section: Perspectives
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Prior to the terrorist attacks, we planned to follow tradition and publish an Orientation/Welcome Back issue of the paper exclusively dedicated to Pre-Term, Outdoor Adventures, and Club Day. Obviously, all of those plans were dwarfed by the uncertainty, anxiety, fear, confusion, and anger many of us felt in the hours and days after the attacks in New York and Washington. Like everyone, my first reaction (since I was at Stanford at the time) was to determine whether my family, friends and loved ones back East were safe and secure. It took some time, but I eventually learned that all my close friends and family were safe. Sadly, I know several of my friends were not so fortunate.
Given that so many members of the GSB community have been affected by these attacks, we discussed among ourselves what constructive role a bi-weekly newspaper could serve at this time. We also sought the input of our classmates, some faculty, and our predecessors from the Class of 2001, who could draw upon their experience of two full years at the GSB. They were relieved to report (and we to hear) that all of their classmates had been accounted for within ten days of the attack.
We gave the question considerable thought, and ultimately decided (and we leave it for you the reader to judge for yourself how well we have done) to let the community speak for itself, using the paper as an open forum. We solicited reflections on the terrorist attacks, the U.S. and World response, and the future from students, faculty, and friends of the community. We received many contributions – more than we could print in the paper. We also sought the perspectives of George Shultz, a former U.S. Secretary of State and Emeritus GSB Professor, and have printed his comments in these pages. Taken together, the various articles and commentaries might very well provide you with some insights and perspectives that strengthen your convictions. Or perhaps some might cause you to think a new or different way about what has happened or what should be done moving forward. Whichever the case, we hope they will contribute to the healthy dialogue within the community as well as stand as a written record of what many of us are thinking in the aftermath of truly horrific and tragic attacks in places so many of us have worked, traveled and lived.