Moving Forward in a Time of Terror

Littleton, Colorado. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. September 11. In the wake of intense crisis, whether the result of natural disaster, terrorism, or senseless violence, Americans have demonstrated over and over the ability to resist and survive traumatic and violent events—the hallmark of resilience. According to the recent book, Resiliency: An Integrated Approach to Practice, Policy, and Research (NASW, 2002) edited by Roberta R. Greene, PhD, MSW, resilience is an unpredictable or markedly successful adaptation to negative life events, trauma, stress, and other forms of risk.
In a chapter devoted specifically to violence and the resilience of a whole society, Irene Queiro-Tajalli, PhD, and Craig Campbell, MSW, explain the phenomena that has taken place throughout the country in times of trauma—the resilience not only of individuals but of a nation. The authors explain how potential power within communities and society itself emerges in the aftermath of violent events like September 11, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the shootings at Columbine High School. This power transforms communities across the country, readying them for social change. In the wake of violent events, terrorist threats, and war, communities go through a pattern of steps that lead through the tragedy into recovery. Queiro-Tajalli and Campbell describe these six specific steps are necessary to move through trauma, adapt, and heal.

An Assault on Humanity. At the time of a traumatic event, we immediately feel a broad range of feelings including dismay, disbelief, fear, and anger. Americans are painfully reminded of our vulnerability and seized by a feeling of powerlessness. Within moments we reach for those specific protective factors that provided necessary support—family members, neighbors, and friends. One protective factor, according to Queiro-Tajalli and Campbell, is the promptness with which our communities pull together and show support for one another, as well as the abilities of helping professionals, such as social workers, within the communities who respond to the survivors' physical and emotional needs.

Resistance and Defiance. Although this step is marked by feelings of mistrust and hurt, there is an ongoing effort to make sense of the senseless and begin to fight back, the authors say. News coverage tries to answer questions like "why?" and "what can we do?" and "how can we fight back?" It is also in this step that people begin to come together and express feelings of victimization and a need to stand up against the enemy. Individuals hang American flags and signs reading "United We Stand." Communities hold vigils and light candles in honor of heroes and victims, and in a show of togetherness that announces "never again." This step marks the first efforts at organization and the beginning of the long process of rebuilding, both physically and emotionally.

Community Identity. In response to the tragedy, there is a movement from a sense of "self" to the collective agreement that it was "our tragedy." Larger communities and the nation as a whole build stronger relationships with trust and cohesion. There is a strong feeling of mutual support throughout the nation. This step is apparent as we watch family members of victims come together and offer support. The empathic relationships that developed in response to the tragedy are one of the protective factors that allow us to face adversity with a unified front.

Organization. Many communities today have plans in place to prevent and react to future terrorist attacks. The new Department of Homeland Security is an example of how the nation organized and developed processes to prevent acts of terror. Queiro-Tajalli and Campbell say that through this organizing process, members of communities are empowered to control their own destinies.

Continuing the struggle. Our nation has become resilient enough to continue its struggle, regardless of threats and fears. We continue to live our lives, and we treasure the memories of both victims and heroes. A memorial was built in Oklahoma City, and others are being planned for both the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. Events throughout the country memorialize and remember the anniversaries of Pearl Harbor, September 11, and other events when the nation suffered, and recovered.
Change in Social Structures. Finally, our nation, as one, rises to the challenge and reinvents our communities with protective factors when the need develops. Communities become more resilient as a result of community empowerment. Individuals, and collectively, a nation, can transform a tragedy into ways to implement positive social change. Even a tragic event like September 11 can become the catalyst to unify a community and, in this case, a country, to bring about social change.
In response to acts of tragedy and violence, many Americans begin a new way of life—one marked by the ability to navigate threats with courage and to place themselves at risk—demonstrated by the heroic acts of passengers of Flight 93, individuals who organized and unified to resist terror, as has our nation. Bonding, mutual support, understanding, a sense of togetherness, mobilization of community assets, and support from external groups and communities—these factors contribute to our ability to bounce back after senseless acts of terror and violence. These characteristics were apparent throughout the country in the aftermath of September 11, and they continue to develop as the country faces the realities of war and the threat of further attacks on U.S. soil.

Media outlets interested in receiving information regarding the book or specific chapter, including interviews with the authors, please contact Lahne Mattas-Curry at media@naswdc.org or call 202-336-8228.