Why and how does danger tend to unify or divide people?

Danger can have different effects on people. Danger can unite people. It can also divide people. We have several examples that show each case.

After the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, the threat of terrorism united our country. People from all backgrounds and all political affiliations worked together to handle the crisis and to fight terrorism. People accepted a reduction in some of their freedoms to help make us safer. People donated money and other items to help rebuild New York City and to help families in need. The threat of terrorism gave people a common cause around which to rally. This threat brought our people together.

The recent attacks by ISIS have shown how danger can divide us. There have been suggestions made that we shouldn’t allow Muslims into our country. There have been calls for more controls and regulations on Muslim communities. In these instances, the danger of terrorism has been used to isolate and blame an entire group of people. This is very divisive and shows how danger can divide a group of people.

During World War II, Japanese-Americans living on the west coast were forced to relocate. People felt they were a threat to our country because we were fighting Japan. They were relocated, yet not one person of Japanese decent was convicted of helping Japan. This is another example of how danger can divide a group of people.

There are times when danger brings out the best in people. There are other times when it brings out the worst in people.