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After attacks, a hunger to learn
By MELIA BOWIE
© St. Petersburg Times, Within hours of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the shelves of Haslam's Book Store in St. Petersburg had been wiped clean of everything on Osama bin Laden and terrorism. Distributors are "trying to get them published again," co-owner Ray Hinst said, adding that books on the Middle East also have been picked over at his sprawling Central Avenue store. "We've been hit pretty hard. Even the Korans are all gone . . . along with the Nostradamus (books)." In places of worship, religious leaders are holding interfaith gatherings and are brushing up on their knowledge of Islam and Middle Eastern culture in hopes of better preaching to their congregations. Local colleges and universities are setting aside time and adding to their curricula in an effort to talk about terrorism and America's future as both students and the nation continue to seek answers. Throughout the Tampa Bay area, the attacks have changed the way people lead their lives. From the books chosen at the local library to what is said at religious services, it's clear residents' thoughts have turned to the Middle East, its complexities and the threat it could pose. "I think people are beginning to realize the extent of our lack of knowledge about this culture," said JoAnn McCarthy, dean of international affairs at the University of South Florida in Tampa. "We've all got a responsibility to learn as much as we can so we're knowledgeable when making decisions." Throughout the USF campus, professors in a number of disciplines have set aside time for discussions and have altered assignments. In his graduate-level course on globalization, Mark Amen, director of USF's globalization research center, said students from eight countries are studying the attacks from a worldwide perspective. The theme will be ongoing, he said. "I never would have brought up the topic of terrorism before this event had occurred," said Amen, who also is associate dean for academic affairs at the College of Arts and Sciences. "And I also knew after it happened there was no way I could avoid it." At St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tampa, parishioners have questioned the Rev. Bob Morris on everything from how to cope to how closely the attacks were tied to religious issues. In the seminary, "We're provided with a basic background of the world religions," Morris said. "(But) I've gone back to the books. . . . I think this has brought a greater need to know other religions and to teach that to our congregation." Within days of the attacks, interfaith services were organized at St. Mark Evangelist Catholic Church in New Tampa, the Islamic Center in Temple Terrace and Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Morris said. More are planned. Librarians throughout St. Petersburg have found themselves helping everyone from middle schoolers to matrons research the Middle East. "We are definitely getting in, on a daily basis, patrons coming in and asking for books on Afghanistan, bin Laden, the Persian Gulf and terrorist groups," said Linda Branson, administration coordinator for the St. Petersburg Public Library System. "We're also printing articles for them off the Internet." Officials at bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders said religious texts are in demand but would not commment on book titles or sales trends. Stores such as Tampa Christian Supply in New Port Richey said sales of Bibles -- largely parents buying for children -- and grief books have been up, although they are surpassed by apocalypse texts. Demand continues to outpace supply, said Keel Hunt, spokesman for the Nashville-based Ingram Book Group, which distributes books to major retailers, Amazon.com and thousands of independent stores nationwide. In addition to books on terrorism and prophecies, photo essays on the New York skyline and books on skyscrapers and the World Trade Center are being sought. "These are books that are from academic and university publishers and have not been in great demand before the Sept. 11 attacks," said Hunt. "The orders have prompted requests to publishers to reprint." Some readers may be responding to the threat, said Hinst, Haslam's co-owner. Others may be searching for solutions, said Amen, who is working to organize a campus and community half-day workshop looking at the dimensions of terrorism on a global scale. "I don't think this will settle down," Amen said. "I think what's happened here is the beginning of a new kind of world. Any course at this university that deals with understanding humans will have to deal with this. The positive outcome . . . can be a better understanding of the causes (of terrorism) and eliminating them." Want to talk about it?The University of South Florida in Tampa will host a community dialogue Oct. 26 at the Phyllis P. Marshall Center, 4202 E Fowler Ave., focusing on race relations and the attacks. The event, which will be from 7 a.m. to noon, is sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League and the National Conference for Community and Justice. For information on upcoming interfaith programs or discussions, call the National Conference for Community and Justice at (727) 568-9333.
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