I share with other United Flight 93 family members the hope that through better understanding of the events of Sept. 11, we can find ways to ensure that people do not see violence against other people as viable or effective. Our family members were heroes because they acted to save lives, rather than to destroy. We hope viewers of this movie will see beyond a simplistic view of "us vs. them" to understand that we need to find effective means of living with each other with mutual respect to ensure the safety and security of all families in this country and across the diverse religions and regions of the world.
One grave concern I have with the film United 93 is the possibility it will contribute to hate crimes, which have risen dramatically since 9/11. Certainly, 9/11 families don’t want to see more innocent families victimized by hate — that is the model the terrorists followed. While the passengers on Flight 93 were truly amazing in their heroic sacrifice, their intent was to save lives. They also had limited options. It seems we need to use all the means at our disposal to make sure that we break the cycle of violence rather than fan its flames. We are heartened that the film director has responded to family concerns in this regard, changing some of his messages that could be misinterpreted by those who, seeing violence, might respond in kind.
Terry Greene, sister of
Donald F. Greene,
United Flight 93 Passenger
Cambridge, Mass.
