Eugene Grygo, Chief Content Editor, FTF News
As we remember the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993, I recall the powerful sense of unity and compassion of the days immediately after the 9/11 attacks.
Initially, there was a lot of confusion. Like many others working in media that day, I was beginning to get bits of information about former co-workers at Risk Waters Group. I also was looking for missing industry sources, sales people, marketing staff and public relations personnel I had encountered since 1997 when I began covering Wall Street.
I grew to see these missing people not just as marketing and PR types, pushing a story to me or complaining about coverage. I let go of past squabbles and realized that they were just doing their jobs. For those who were still missing weeks after the attacks, it was rapidly becoming clear that they might be among those whose lives were taken by a horror that apparently no one really saw coming.
I also found in the immediate wake of 9/11 that many people showed a great deal of kindness and compassion when they learned that some of those I once worked for were lost on that day. I did not expect them to reach out across our boundaries. I decided then to reach out to others who had lost loved ones and close friends. I set aside the mask of being a journalist and risked being human and connected with people in a different way.
I have never forgotten the importance of those connections and I deeply respect them.
I have also not forgotten the importance of getting back to civility, particularly the kind that carried us through the days and weeks after 9/11.
This has become particularly acute since the contentious presidential election last year. In the aftermath of the election, I am
making a conscious effort to stop myself from getting angry or snarky over annoying matters. I do as my late father always told me to do: when angry, count to 10 before taking an action or speaking aloud. However, in New York, you only have time to count to five, which is still a good discipline.
I remind myself that we are all trying to do our part for this amazing industry that facilitates the flow of capital for multiple, beneficial economic efforts. My job is to get the latest and most important information out there to key players in the industry. (I also throw in my opinion now and then.)
I am also constantly reminded that not only does every good life touch another, among good people there has to be some level of unity and a conscious return to civility. And we need to get back to civility now.
The political and cultural rhetoric, insults and downright attacks that are cluttering our airwaves and discourse are getting out of hand. We have to put the brakes on it and I’ve started with myself.
When I get the urge to unleash flaming rhetoric, I stop myself, count to five, and God-willing I calm down. I no longer want to contribute to the extreme anger and noise, and I think a lot of people are starting to feel this way. Meaningful dialogue among people who vehemently disagree is now essential. Violence expressed physically, psychologically or verbally should never be an option.
So, it’s clear to me now that the compassion, civility and mercy that got us through the dark days after 9/11 can be a powerful blueprint for how we move forward.
I hope and pray that I live up to my own words.
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