On Monday I had a wide-ranging conversation with Sarah Haney, the Register’s new reporter who began last week.
Our discussion was very different from that of a job interview. This time, I could ask her what makes her tick.
We touched on her life growing up in Nevada, Mo. By her description it was typical. Free-wheeling, lots of friends, a strong family network and a safe community.
In eighth grade, however, her world changed.
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, “was a big turning point for people of my generation,” she said. “Ever since that happened, things never got better. I mean, I know they did, but that’s not how it feels. Our safety net, our ignorance, was ripped away and ever since we wonder what’s the next thing that may happen.”
As a result, she said, “I don’t think it’s any surprise that a lot of people of my generation have a lot of anxiety disorders.”
When in her mid-twenties, Sarah had six friends commit suicide in the span of two years.
“I don’t have a single friend who doesn’t have anxiety issues,” she said.
THE SAME thing is happening for the people in Ukraine and the Middle East.
In Gaza, more than 13,000 Palestinians have been killed in the past month. According to Save the Children, more children have been killed there over the last few weeks than were killed in global conflicts in the last three years combined.
The horror they are experiencing will last a lifetime, if not longer. According to research, trauma on a scale like this can so alter one’s genetic makeup that even their offspring can be predisposed to physical and psychological disabilities.
THESE DAYS I’m all the more thankful that we are not in immediate danger of terrorists or despots like Hamas and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
I’m also in awe of the responsibility we as a country have to the greater world.
In an op-ed piece in Saturday’s Washington Post, President Joe Biden laid down the gauntlet.
“Will we relentlessly pursue our positive vision for the future, or will we allow those who do not share our values to drag the world to a more dangerous and divided place?”
