For a generation growing up in the shadow of September 11, the death of Osama Bin Laden is a watershed moment—the figure so often portrayed as the epitome of evil is no more.
Though many American students felt closure and celebrated the death of Bin Laden, many others felt deep ambivalence about the event and its potential consequences.
Several campuses across the nation exploded in celebration upon hearing of the successful U.S. operation in Pakistan the precipitated his death. The Associated Press reported that massive impromptu parties started on large campuses, including Ohio State, Stanford and Notre Dame. Students received the news almost instantaneously as online news sources, texts, Facebook messages and tweets spread the story to millions within minutes. The immediacy of the event was striking; one moment no one was aware that the U.S. was even close to capturing Bin Laden, and the next moment he was dead.
As a wave of nationalism suddenly swept the nation, students on many campuses could be found in the streets smoking cigars, brandishing flags and chanting "USA! USA!" It was evidence of a reinvigoration of the nationalism—bordering on jingoism—that engulfed the country in the wake of 9/11.
Ameena Khan '14, co-president of the Muslim Students Association, discussed the celebration that took place on American college campuses.
"Though I don't see this matter as a victory (there is no conclusion to terrorism or violence), it is a major stepping stone for the U.S. government," she wrote in an email to the Orient.
"I was alarmed to find that the news had recreated the negative connotations [or] stigmas affiliated with Islam by reminiscing over September 11," she added. "September 11 is a day that is just as painful for American Muslims...to continually recall such an unsettling event, and to presumably connect such an attack with Islam creates an uncomfortable atmosphere."
Although not on campuses, some Americans turned their celebrations into acts of hatred. A Portland Press Herald article reported that on Sunday night, only hours after the announcement of Bin Laden's death, vandals spray-painted hate speech on the Maine Muslims Community Center, a mosque in Portland. The graffiti read, "Osama today, Islam tomorrow" and "Long live the West" according to the article.
"It's unfortunate to observe people continually expressing prejudice [and] bigotry toward a religion," wrote Khan. "Mosque vandalism recreates painful recollections of 9/11."
At Bowdoin, the response was far from the vandalism of mosques and less jubilant than the campuses displayed in videos and stories online. There were some reports of people cheering at the College, but it seemed many celebrations originated from parties already underway.
"I was pleased, but I wasn't frat-boy happy," said Marc Veilleux '14. "[Bin Laden] and his organization caused the deaths of a couple thousand American citizens."
Despite Bowdoin's less than uproarious response, talk of Bin Laden was alive on campus. Many students questioned the potential international reception of American special forces killing a terrorist while on a secret mission in Pakistan. Cal Pershan '12 described the campus response as "tepid."
"It's hard to say what you feel about a very symbolic killing [of] which the repercussions and significance are highly unclear," he said.
Although the immediate effects were surging patriotism and rising approval ratings for Obama, many paused to consider the long-term consequences of the calculated assassination of Bin Laden, which came only a day after an apparent attempted assassination of Libya's Muammar el-Qaddafi by NATO.
Jason Guzman '11 said of Bin Laden's death, "It's definitely a good thing, but I'm definitely ambivalent because he was just a figurehead."
"There could be a power vacuum and someone even more dangerous could step into his place," he added.
"I guess it doesn't really change the situation," he added. "I think the greater issue is the fact that Pakistan was basically hiding him when they claim to be U.S. allies."
Khan felt that the day marked an important moment for religious tolerance.
"This is a pivotal moment in time for the U.S. and American Muslims, because in order to reestablish a peaceful coexistence, there has to be mutual respect of one anothers' beliefs, something that is, at times, lacking for American Muslims and fellow peers," she wrote.
Audrey Blood '13 spoke of being uncomfortable celebrating the killing, a sentiment shared by numerous Bowdoin students.
"Gloating about death is ugly, I don't care whose it is," she said.
-Erica Berry contributed to this report.