Death of Bin Laden

9/11 Memorial Building at WTC site

I have been considering for some time to do a post on this or not. I don't find death particularly inspiring for a post, but constructive debate is always a way forward.
But debating this topic with my boyfriend (who is American) and discussion with UK based friends has been awkward and difficult at best, for I am between two cultures, with very different perspectives.
We all know, Bin Laden was an awful man capable of such atrocity and death, I do hope the world will be a safer place without him in it.
You probably saw the clear, cheer and joy around Ground Zero- a place where people would never have celebrated again, except for such news, you may not have seen the people placing flowers on the fences of Ground Zero, and having candle light vigils giving some New Yorkers and all who were here at 9/11 some closure for the attack on the World Trade Center.
When watching US news, the focus is completely on the fact Pakistan was harbouring the evil tryant, and how great their intelligence was that killed him, giving particular commendation to the Navy Seals and to President Obama.
When watching the BBC, the focus was that International law had not been observed and that the Geneva convention had been ignored, making a mockery of all things democracy and what our people stand for. People were abhorred by footage of Americans chanting 'USA, USA!' and having street parties celebrating the death of a human being, shot in the face, unarmed, in front of relatives, however evil he may have been.

USA Flag inside the Freedom Tower construction

I've had many friends, and fellow journalists mail me, given that I am in NYC, questioning the validity of the killing, that the celebration of the people of the US shocks them. Letting down everything US and UK troops are in this war for.

Some people here feel the need to celebrate, some talk of the tanks that were in NY right after it happened and that the death, destruction and fear then is now something they can have closure on, some strangely, compare it to the UK celebrating the Royal Wedding.

With all the elation and celebration on the streets of NYC, there is another NY viewpoint; the NY Times interviewed a survivor of the attack who said that while he would be glad if Bin Laden's death meant less killing, he himself could not bring himself to be glad of another death, even if it was Bin Laden.
My UK perspective on growing up with IRA bombs all over my city, London, became a way of life. Things to be vigilant for, to continue no matter what they do, all seem to come naturally.

Freedom Tower May 2011

Blame on any particular individual or the relief when they were dead was not on offer, and it seems odd to me that people would rejoice, whilst it may be history in the making.
Obama and Cameron both say the world is a better place without him, hopefully that's true.
I am cautiously optimistic, sadly terrorism is still around... after all we're all being warned of reprisal.
I leave you with this quote, which helps prescribe how I feel, however idealistic, and pictures of the more positive future of the development pictures of the Freedom tower and the 9/11 memorial.
If you're in NY, or anywhere else, I'd be interested to hear about  your experience of these events, please comment below...

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
--Jessica Dovey and Martin Luther King, Jr