On the occasion of September 11

I find myself deeply ambivalent about the various rituals held today commemorating the events of September 11, 2001. Two things, however, moved me. Billy Collins’ poem “The Names,” and Rick Bliese’s sermon in chapel at Luther (watch the video, the semiotics of his movement contribute to his meaning). Somehow both of these “performative interventions” resonated with me in a way that allowed me both to claim my sorrow, but also to move beyond fear. Speaking of fear, or at least of the ways in which we’re allowing it to overshadow us, Tim Harper of the Toronto Star had a powerful piece today.