Selected comments from the almost 1000 Mainers who took part in this evening of reading and reflection at sixty-three libraries throughout Maine

I am very glad I did not stay home. This was my first time speaking publicly about my opinions of the events of September 11 and I learned some history. The conversation was very respectful and many different feelings were voiced.

I've learned from a very young participant that I am not so certain of my own beliefs and prejudices.

Using the readings provided an ideal platform to stimulate new thoughts…. Good process leads to good results.

We shared. We commented. We fostered education, growth and change.

It's an affirming flame, here tonight.

It's unusual for me to attend any public forum. I wonder why. It fights isolation which I feel is an enemy to all of us. It seemed something like communion - much bigger than the sum of its parts.

I had an opportunity to share views about the meaning of justice, revenge, etc. I feel like I have a better understanding now of my role as a citizen.

Empowering to join with 40 others reading, discussion and responding to poetry/prose and today's problematic issues. Several people brought additional poems.

There was erected here tonight a community of questioners, thinkers, seekers of the light.

It was an interesting discussion with a generational difference. Gave me an insight of what younger folks are thinking.

I don't know where this experience will lead, but I feel stronger for having participated.

More than one generation speaking out - democracy at work… the privilege of "Freedom of Speech"!

A very valuable opportunity to spread light in a sometimes dark time.

…an honest exchange with people with whom I disagree.

We may do a follow-up of our own.

I am very much alone and I am a Native American. I lost my innocence when my grandmother told the stories of her ancestors (mine) and the atrocities we Americans (North Americans) have committed toward our own people. Sept 11 didn't surprise me that much. I visited Nicaragua last year. What really surprised me was that this took so long.

I really liked having literature/poetry to use as a forum.

It was a totally wonderful opportunity to come together, voice concerns, share experiences, listen to others. We discussed different views and reactions from different ages and even different sexes….Your aim to have people "find solace in a sense of community and solidarity" certainly was realized here.

A great opportunity to experience community. A place to connect and exchange ideas, emotions and reactions. Educational.

There was a strong sense of community, respect and, mostly, a willingness to listen to one another. There were many divergent opinions, offering different ways of looking at the same issue. The freedom of speech in action. I am glad I was part of this evening.

It provided some different ways of thinking about something very hard to think about clearly.

The diversity of ideas expressed was stimulating. The "four freedoms" are still a cornerstone for our search for peaceful living.

I liked having the chance to used these wonderful texts to reflect together with others - I think that more such events would be welcome.

Texts helped us get beyond the very personal-individual reactions and reminded us that the US has faced horror before and persevered. Met neat people!

I liked being able to read these two pieces and hear other people's opinions, thoughts and comments. It also gave me the opportunity to express my opinion as well, which I am grateful for.

It is very interesting to hear everyone's viewpoints. I have also been touched by many of the opinions and comments.

This was an eye-opening experience for me because it was interesting to hear what others are feeling about the events which have occurred. The comments given by others brought a new point of view to my attention. Thank you!

Personally felt a paradigm shift when I looked at the events of September 11 through the eyes of the terrorists. Also felt the American spirit is capable of growth and change in reaction to these events.

The sharing of our feelings and ideas about how the readings related to the events of September 11 demonstrated the power of discussion and the importance of our freedom to speak.

It was fascinating and comforting to hear the wide variety of reactions and analyses to and of the tragic events of September 11the. The two readings for the evening were prescient and stimulated excellent discussion.

I hadn't previously had a chance to listen or talk.

There was freedom and respect in this circle - it models what we wish for in the larger world.

…to feel out similarities and differences, to see beauty and pain together.

I could think about freedom again.

Communication will save our world.

Changing the patterns of isolated TV viewing is surely helpful.

It's only in a gathering like this, people can go home and think further.

Reading the excerpts in this forum was a way to open my mind and heart to think about issues that are so often difficult to consider. It gives me hope that things can get better.

From host librarians:

From my experience with programs, this one went extremely well; we had a diverse group, not just library "regulars," but people from nearly all segments of our community… the discussion became intimate, meaningful, and was the serious, helpful service I had hoped the library could provide in response to September 11. Thank you.

Everyone left feeling this was a productive program.

…choices were timely and perfect platforms for our thoughts, particularly Auden's "September 1, 1939."

We are a community of 6000 souls . . . there were many choices for people on this anniversary date. The 24 people who turned up here enriched and were enriched by the opportunity to discuss the events and share their fears and faith in an atmosphere of acceptance. . . it will lead to more discussion and to workshops on educating ourselves about Afghanistan and Islam. . it drew us closer while at the same time reminding us that while the world may have "shrunk" due to advances in technology it has not correspondingly expanded in understanding the history and culture of others.

[It] was everything we could have hoped for and more. Though [participants'] perspectives and concerns varied, they were uniformly respectful, honest, articulate and earnest - and grateful for the opportunity to take part in this. It was particularly gratifying to have a broad age range represented - from people in their sixties to high school students. The young people seemed keenly interested in experiencing and witnessing the respectful airing of different opinions among adults. How often in everyday life do they have the chance to observe this kind of direct, unscripted personal interaction, and sincere group effort toward sharing and understanding complex issues? Given our experience here, I can't help but wonder how things went in the other sixty libraries that took part. It's mind boggling to think of the potential collective impact last evening's gatherings hopefully had. Thanks you so much for orchestrating "Let Freedom Ring". I am proud to have played a part in it.

At almost every site people requested regular gatherings for open discussion as well as informational presentations particularly on the world of Islam and the history of United States foreign policy; several sites scheduled follow up sessions. Profuse thanks, appreciation and an unexpected, respectful diversity of opinion were consistently repeated sentiments.

Back