Justice. It's a word that's slung around like a sack of potatoes. Verbalised with such verocity that anyone might believe it actually exists. Yesterday the mastermind of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Osama bin Laden, was 'brought to justice'; captured and killed by the United States Government.
Undoubtedly, the atrocities realised by bin Laden that autumn day in 2001 are unforgiveable. He took so much from so many innocent people. He played a hand in making the world colder and harder and less trusting. And he is responsible for so much hatred, not just directed at him or the perpetrators of the attacks, but an entire race of people who have suffered deeply as a consequence.
As a kid, both at home and at school, I remember always being taught that violence isn't the answer; that responding to violence with violence is just perpetuating a problem that can best be solved with words rather than fists. But these rules don't seem to apply when pride and ego is on the line.
Bin Laden's death is symbolic at best. And how many innocents have had to die in the meantime to achieve this little victory? Soldiers and civilians alike. I have no doubt that there is someone waiting in the wings to replace or mimic bin Laden. Someone fuelled by revenge just as millions of Americans were nearly a decade ago.
So is this what closure feels like? Because to me it just feels like we've started another war.
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