The announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death earlier this week came as a surprise to most Americans. For ten years, millions of U.S. citizens waited to see the leader of al-Qaida brought to justice for planning the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and on U.S. Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

After almost a decade, bin Laden has, indeed, been found and killed by American forces in Pakistan and his body was buried at sea and in accordance with his religion.

So, when President Barack Obama announced this news late Sunday night, the nation was relieved. The questions of whether bin Laden was alive and of where he had been hiding were laid to rest; understandably, then, most people feel pleased.

As the president said in his speech, bin Laden’s “…demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.” It’s true that bin Laden was far from a peaceful man: he seemed elated by causing violence and mayhem for innocent people around the world.

I wish that bin Laden’s death meant more peace in our time. Unfortunately, his death will not bring more harmony to our conflicts. Rather, it is another inevitable incident in a chain of violence. Bin Laden’s passing does not have many implications beyond revenge; our war in Afghanistan has not ended, terrorism still exists and unrest will continue.

Though he and al-Qaida are responsible for much bloodshed, bin Laden’s death should not be celebrated as a joyous, jubilant happening. Celebrating death is not an act of peace or an exercise in human dignity.

Yes, bin Laden slaughtered Americans, but revenge is a self-perpetuating undertaking, only begging further fighting when the horror of brutality and bloodshed is forgotten.

Remember the disgust felt when bin Laden gloated over thousands of men’s, women’s and children’s deaths, and refuse to return his hate in kind. Grieve that a human could be so misguided, grieve that hate is so powerful and grieve that intolerance holds so much sway. Cry when you hear about the rape of children in Libya or the killing of thousands in the Ivory Coast; mourn when you read about the executions of dissidents in Iran and the lethal repression of political protests in Syria.

Cringe because of violence and death. Revel, instead, in your humanity and celebrate peace.

Allison Derrick is an economics junior. She can be reached at [email protected]

In My Opinion is a weekly column open to any Loyola student. Those interested in contributing can contact [email protected]