Representative Sherrod Brown can often command attention at public gatherings. On Wednesday evening, however, he took a backseat to a dynamic and often emotional dialogue on the events of Sept. 11, organized by the Elyria YWCA.
Organizers set up the town hall-style meeting so that anyone attending could speak at a microphone, and all participants were asked to be respectful of others’ opinions and emotions. Those speaking represented a wide range of Lorain County residents — local religious leaders, Oberlin students and faculty and other Lorain County residents who felt the need to express themselves. People shared fear, anger, anxiety, hopes, political beliefs or sometimes simply personal reflections.
Peter Ogbuji, Assistant Director of the Center for Service and Learning, began the discussion praising America’s equality, which he described as a “moving target,” which we should always be trying to achieve; he also expressed his sorrow for those who had died. He added, however, “The symbols attacked were not American democracy and freedom. The symbols were of the military and big business.”
Participants expressed a wide range of views about what the United States’ response should be. “We have to go after this terrorist network in every way we can,” Brown said. “We should also begin to reflect on our own foreign policy.”
“We should bomb them with butter,” said Floyd Ramm, a citizen of Lorain County, meaning that we should supply food and shelter to the Afganistan refugees. He also said that the United States should take steps to freeze the bank accounts that could promote terrorism.
“I’m a man of peace. I believe in prayer,” said Willis Williams, a pastor of the Bethel, Church of Lord and Christ. “We cannot solve this problem with talking. We have to pray.”
“The definition of terrorism is when innocent men, women, and children are targeted for political means,” said one Lorain County citizen. “Appeasement doesn’t work.”
“It was a mistake to call this a war,” said Steve Hammond from Oberlin’s Peace Community Church. “We now have a great opportunity to make peace.”
While some had specific ideas for the future, other simply reacted to what had happened.
“We’re goddamned pissed-off,” said Bruce Basky, a local unionist, who mentioned other unionists who had died when the World Trade Center collapsed. He also remarked “[The terrorists] were created by the CIA, and now it’s blown up in our faces.” He feared that we would be asked to “give up our democratic rights to save democracy.”
Kara Afrates, a Case Western Reserve graduate and substitute teacher, said that to respond to the attacks, she would “Try to enjoy [her] life.” She also said she valued the renewed patriotism that the event has caused. “It’s too bad that it took an event like this to cause that.”
Many Muslim community members were present at the event as well. “I hurt and I pain for the victims of the World Trade Center attack,” said Paul Hagan, from the Bilal Ibn Rabah Institute in Lorain, Ohio. “But the Palestinians hurt, and the Iraqis hurt.”
Mohamad Andabaa, area resident and Muslim, said “We have to be fair. We have to kill the reason for this thing,” alluding to the constant violence in the Middle East. “My religion is the religion of mercy, not peace.”
Many students from Oberlin College also voiced their thoughts.
“The word ‘patriotism’ disturbs me,” said junior Daniel Greenbaum. “It’s a good thing, but it can turn to nativism. There have been 1500 reported hate crimes. One woman was almost beaten to death with her own flag.”

Representative Brown kept his comments brief at the beginning of the event and also at its conclusion. “They want fear, and they want to change what we stand for,” he said before the discussion. “So much of winning is remaining ourselves.”
“I was surprised that a lot of people’s comments were open-minded,” junior Jessica Bartolini said. “I thought we had a lot of common ground.”

Representative Sherrod Brown can often command attention at public gatherings. On Wednesday evening, however, he took a backseat to a dynamic and often emotional dialogue on the events of Sept. 11, organized by the Elyria YWCA.
Organizers set up the town hall-style meeting so that anyone attending could speak at a microphone, and all participants were asked to be respectful of others’ opinions and emotions. Those speaking represented a wide range of Lorain County residents — local religious leaders, Oberlin students and faculty and other Lorain County residents who felt the need to express themselves. People shared fear, anger, anxiety, hopes, political beliefs or sometimes simply personal reflections.
Peter Ogbuji, Assistant Director of the Center for Service and Learning, began the discussion praising America’s equality, which he described as a “moving target,” which we should always be trying to achieve; he also expressed his sorrow for those who had died. He added, however, “The symbols attacked were not American democracy and freedom. The symbols were of the military and big business.”
Participants expressed a wide range of views about what the United States’ response should be. “We have to go after this terrorist network in every way we can,” Brown said. “We should also begin to reflect on our own foreign policy.”
“We should bomb them with butter,” said Floyd Ramm, a citizen of Lorain County, meaning that we should supply food and shelter to the Afganistan refugees. He also said that the United States should take steps to freeze the bank accounts that could promote terrorism.
“I’m a man of peace. I believe in prayer,” said Willis Williams, a pastor of the Bethel, Church of Lord and Christ. “We cannot solve this problem with talking. We have to pray.”
“The definition of terrorism is when innocent men, women, and children are targeted for political means,” said one Lorain County citizen. “Appeasement doesn’t work.”
“It was a mistake to call this a war,” said Steve Hammond from Oberlin’s Peace Community Church. “We now have a great opportunity to make peace.”
While some had specific ideas for the future, other simply reacted to what had happened.
“We’re goddamned pissed-off,” said Bruce Basky, a local unionist, who mentioned other unionists who had died when the World Trade Center collapsed. He also remarked “[The terrorists] were created by the CIA, and now it’s blown up in our faces.” He feared that we would be asked to “give up our democratic rights to save democracy.”
Kara Afrates, a Case Western Reserve graduate and substitute teacher, said that to respond to the attacks, she would “Try to enjoy [her] life.” She also said she valued the renewed patriotism that the event has caused. “It’s too bad that it took an event like this to cause that.”
Many Muslim community members were present at the event as well. “I hurt and I pain for the victims of the World Trade Center attack,” said Paul Hagan, from the Bilal Ibn Rabah Institute in Lorain, Ohio. “But the Palestinians hurt, and the Iraqis hurt.”
Mohamad Andabaa, area resident and Muslim, said “We have to be fair. We have to kill the reason for this thing,” alluding to the constant violence in the Middle East. “My religion is the religion of mercy, not peace.”
Many students from Oberlin College also voiced their thoughts.
“The word ‘patriotism’ disturbs me,” said junior Daniel Greenbaum. “It’s a good thing, but it can turn to nativism. There have been 1500 reported hate crimes. One woman was almost beaten to death with her own flag.”

Representative Brown kept his comments brief at the beginning of the event and also at its conclusion. “They want fear, and they want to change what we stand for,” he said before the discussion. “So much of winning is remaining ourselves.”
“I was surprised that a lot of people’s comments were open-minded,” junior Jessica Bartolini said. “I thought we had a lot of common ground.”