Consider, for a moment, all that we have seen over the past nine days:
We have seen a nation torn apart by unspeakable tragedy, and we have seen it grow closer -- and stronger, and more united -- in response.
We have seen a world thrust from a relative peace to the brink of war. And during that time, we have developed fundamentally new understandings of who our enemies are -- and of just what the word "evil" can really mean.
We have seen neighbors reach out to their friends in need. Sadly, we've also seen the ignorant, violent responses of a few individuals who think that revenge is a matter best handled by themselves.
Here at Penn, we've seen virtually all of these things. And we've seen them, quite uniquely, through the eyes of a community that represents a refreshingly broad spectrum of backgrounds, traditions and faiths.
Our community is one in which the spread of ideas is encouraged; in which the discussion of issues is both reasoned and reasonable; in which the pursuit of knowledge, justice and virtue is unending.
Even in this short period of enormous change, the members of the Penn community have found the time and the motivation to play a very crucial role.
Some have demonstrated their support of America by waving flags and making donations to relief funds. Other have voiced their opposition to military action, both in their classes and in other, more visible forums.
Some have spent days organizing fundraising events and attending memorial vigils. Others have worked to remind us of issues facing America's Asian population -- a group that has been victimized by pockets of hate crimes and discrimination in the wake of last week's attacks.
Thankfully, these kinds of devoted action have been far from unusual in this time of crisis, as both this university and this nation prepare for a very different future. It's a future that grows more uncertain with each passing day; a future in which a diverse, reasonable and involved community like ours will grow even more vital.
And to think, it's a future that has come together before our eyes -- over the past nine days.
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