Hushed silence fell across the front lawn of Founder’s Hall as students and members of the Greensboro community paid tribute to the tragedy of Sept. 11.
It had been exactly one year since the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. People of different ages and ethnic backgrounds held candles proudly above their heads. After opening words from Max Carter, the campus spiritual guide, the microphone was left open for thoughts and concerns from the crowd.
Responses ranged from reactions to September eleventh to thoughts on future policy. Gigi Burkhalter, senior at Guilford, said, “I’m really glad to see people speak about the ramifications of Sept. 11, specifically in relation to the global nation. I was happy to hear Tamara [Asad, (another Guilford senior)] speak about her position as a Palestinian.”
The large crowd of people proceeded to West Friendly Avenue where they spread out and held their candles. They waved signs stressing peace and were silent. As cars drove by, some onlookers honked, some waved, and some simply took notice. No matter their reactions, it was obvious the vigil had an impact on the community.
Rose Wilson, a Guilford College senior, remembers the public response from last year’s peace vigils being somewhat negative. “It feels like there’s a lot more support for peace this year,” said Wilson.
Earlier in the afternoon, convocation was held in Dana Auditorium. It was in remembrance of those lost and the future ahead of us. After a long moment of complete silence and reverence, the Guilford College Choir performed, “We Remember Them,”, a song written after the Holocaust..
Following the song, President Kent Chabotar gave a speech emphasizing his personal reflections on September eleventh. He advised the audience to seize the day. He said, “Don’t wait until tomorrow to tell your family you love them.”
After Chabotar, Jim Hood spoke. Jo Back, a junior at Guilford said, “I felt that Jim Hood put September eleventh in perspective in terms of Guilford College. I thought it was interesting how he talked about how members of the Guilford community have dealt with war and tragedy in the past.”
Naz Urooj, president of the student senate, spoke loudly into the microphone; calling students to action on campus.
The main speaker at the ceremony was Stuart Malina, principal conductor of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. His positive words were accompanied by music written during times of struggle.
He stressed the importance of art in dealing with tragedy, particularly music. “Such loss defies rationality,” said Malina, in reference to 9/11, “The rational mind is bypassed and music touches the soul directly.”
Malina challenged the audience with questions like, “Can music attack evil?” and “Can music make man stop and think?” He summed up his speech by emphasizing music’s potential to move people during time of crisis.
Overall, Guilford College had a day of positive reflection on the events over the past year. And now, we are thinking positively toward the future.
“I was delighted with the broad based participation,” said Max Carter, “People came from on and off campus; not the usual suspects. I think it’s good for people to have a concrete thing to do when being faced with such an enormous tragedy.”