One of the greatest parts of attending a university like Loyola is the many academic opportunities offered to students.  Over the past weeks, the Political Science Department has been hosting a series of lectures on various international issues.  On Friday afternoon, I attended one of the lectures.  Bethany Barratt, a research scholar and professor from Roosevelt University, presented on 9/11 and human rights.

Dr. Barratt has been working with a group of researchers on a new book scheduled for publication next year.  In it, they discuss the impact of 9/11 on American standards on human rights.  A majority of her lecture was critical of the Bush Administration’s actions following the terrorist attack on the United States.

Our country has often been criticized for its growing sense of American exceptionalism.  That is, we seem to believe that we are qualitatively better than other countries of the world.  This is often viewed as a superiority complex, where our mission to spread liberty and democracy becomes a mission to force our ideals on other nations.

The Bush regime (as Dr. Barratt refers to it) viewed the attacks on the Twin Towers as a unique event.  Ignoring the many instances of terrorism in other countries across the globe, the United States was quick in retaliation.  Human rights laws set forth in the Geneva Convention seemed no longer relevant as torture became a common practice of interrogation, as well as the suspension of rights to habeas corpus, privacy, and bodily integrity.

Research has shown that the rest of the world was shocked by our country’s response to terrorism.  Human rights as a guiding principle of our foreign policy seemed to lose much of its moral weight.  Unfortunately, there have not been many policy changes to solve this issue.  Even as the United States pulls its forces from the Middle East and elects a new president to office, these horrific practices are still implemented.  The real question is, however, what is the United States’ incentive to stop?  While popular opinion in the United States seems to be against torture, there has been little change in American foreign policy.

This lecture was one of many offered at Loyola over the semester.  They often bring to light issues that people have long forgotten about.  In light of recent events in Boston and elsewhere in the world, I believe that terrorism is a topic that should be discussed and understood.  It is equally important to be aware of the unethical practices that are often responses to terrorist attacks.  Bethany Barratt was an excellent lecturer in this regard.