Over the last two days, on both TikTok and Twitter, Osama Bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America” has gone viral, with a disproportionate number of young Americans sharing how the letter has changed their views on 9/11 and the world at large.
The Guardian made headlines for deleting its translated copy of that letter yesterday- a move I would argue is a mistake.
The Guardian could have provided context with the letter, instead of removing its translation entirely. Now, young people think the “powers that be” are trying to keep them from reading it, and that will only fuel their skepticism. And because this is the internet age, it will not stop anyone from reading it (not that we should).
I believe we must address why this letter is resurfacing now, and provide context to those who have never read it, or are revisiting its content in light of the recent turmoil in the Middle East.
Shouting down young people, dismissing their concerns, ignoring why they’re sharing this letter will only fan the…
