OxfordPress.com

On the six-year anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, one question continues to shape nearly every discussion on the issue: war or peace?

Miami University students in American Studies 301 created a forum Tuesday for the community to express its thoughts and feelings on the events of 9/11 and the American life in the post- 9/11 world. Many students and faculty stopped to join in on the conversation that was held from noon to 2 p.m. outside King Library.

Topics of discussion were the initial shock, security in airports today, the ongoing war and the plausibility of future attacks on American soil.

Jessica Kahanek, a Miami University senior, was one of the students who participated in the conversation.

"You always remember what you were doing," said Kahanek, reflecting on her memories of the day. "I remember word for word what our teacher said to us in class that day."

"I was doing chin-ups in gym class for the Presidential fitness test," said senior Andrew Pytlik.

Those passing by were given chalk to express their feelings in words or pictures across the sidewalks. By 2 p.m. many of the same words appeared sprawled across the ground: freedom, peace and love.

Kelly Quinn, assistant professor of American Studies 301, said the project wasn't only about reflecting on Sept. 11.

"We've lost the ability to listen in American culture," Quinn said. "The point of this project was to practice listening, as well as telling stories."

The class also hung a banner inside the library titled "Reflections on Legacies of September 11 Disaster." The banner contained reflections from students as well as the Oxford community just days after the events of 9/11 unfolded.

Several of the questions and thoughts raised in the conversation on Tuesday were the same questions and thoughts that were expressed six years ago on the banner.

One person wrote, "Why can't change be PROactive instead of reactive?"

Another wrote "Make love, not war."

And still another asked, "What if we showered them with love? What if instead of dropping giant bombs, we dropped giant bags of candy M &Ms?"

The students of the American Studies class who hosted the conversation will create shadowboxes that will depict their thoughts on the conversation. The shadowboxes will be on exhibit Oct. 3-15 in King Library.