I was still jet-lagged and sleep-deprived as I watched the World Trade Center crumble on national television. I had just returned from the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa two days before. Even with all the controversy and slanted media coverage surrounding the world conference, it was--and will prove to be--an historic event.

But in light of the tragic loss of lives through an abhorrent act of terrorism, the World Conference must dissolve into the background out of respect to the innocent people who died and their loved ones, who desperately attempt to rebuild their shattered lives.

As I run through the litany of surreal events in my mind, I am concerned about many things. I worry about those whose lives are forever transformed by this catastrophe, and the families of those who suffer the anguish of such tragic loss. I feel a deep helplessness that there are no words that will ameliorate the devastation. And yes, I am deeply troubled by the ramifications of this act and the misinformation that runs rampant through the media.

I worry when I hear Katie Couric on national television--just minutes after the disaster--allude to the Palestinian conflict at the conference in South Africa when musing on who might be responsible. I am fearful that many people might make connections that don't exist, and that as a result of speculation, more prejudice will emerge because of ignorance.

As I commiserate with and listen to others, some phrases emerge repeatedly: "How could this happen in America?" "Why would anyone want to do this to us?"

I bite my tongue, because in the midst of all this devastation it seems insensitive to point out the inevitability that the United States would one day be held accountable for some of its crimes against other nations and peoples. At a time like this it could be perceived as a callous and cruel betrayal to suggest that imperialism and colonialism come with a price tag and that it was only a matter of time before a retaliation (however despicable) occurred.

In light of the current terrorist attacks I feel compelled to inform people that just last week, rational and sane people from around the world protested the U.S. refusal to participate in the World Conference in Durban. These were not violent, irrational individuals looking to wreak havoc on the U.S. These were private citizens demanding a dialog with the world's most powerful nation about matters that deeply affect us all. These were oppressed people from across the globe who gathered to discuss, lobby and form alliances in the struggle against current day slavery, genocide, caste discrimination, environmental racism and a host of other injustices.

To many, the U. S. position and action was a perfect and clear demonstration of the ultimate white privilege: If I don't like how the game is going, I'll either change the rules or take my ball and go home. And we did. We refused to participate in the conference because of some language in the document which equated Zionism as racism.

Just 12 hours before the bombing, California Democrat Tom Lantos appeared on PBS's News Hour to denounce the conference. He stated that, "The whole point of the World Conference Against Racism was to single out the state of Israel."

Unlike Mr. Lantos and the other two guest panelists on the show, I was in Durban (along with about 14,000 others) during the entire conference. As I watched some of the news coverage, I scratched my head and wondered if there was another conference occurring in a parallel universe.

Before we rightfully turn our hearts and minds to the current tragedy, let's be clear about some things: The World Conference Against Racism was not an indictment of Israel. The issues and concerns of the conference went far beyond any perceived offensive language in the final document. It is sadly ironic - and somewhat suspicious -- that the United States could completely dismiss an international conference because of one statement with which it vehemently disagreed.

Also, Afro-descendants across the Diaspora offered support to the Palestinians by expressing solidarity and empathy for their plight. Offering support to a peoples who do not have the right to self-determination does not equal anti-Semitism. No one will argue that the Jewish people have suffered some of the greatest injustices ever exacted on a group. But the fact that Jews have experienced discrimination and genocide does not release the government of Israel from the responsibility of its crimes against the Palestininans.

And lastly, there is a monumental difference between Islamic fundamentalists (the suspected terrorists) and Palestinians and Muslims around the world. Not all Arabs and Muslims are terrorists. Not all Palestinians are terrorist nor were they all cheering for death and destruction in the United States. At this time we must resist the impulse to categorize and demonize.

Having just spoken to and interviewed literally hundreds of people from around the globe at the World Conference, I heard countless stories of innocent people living in a state a war, oppression and slavery. Just like those who went to work at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, none of these people deserve the atrocities that are enacted upon them on a daily basis.

My hope is that instead of only flexing our military might to exact justice, that we Americans will also be inspired to develop a collective muscle of compassion for those whom we have also offended throughout our conflicted and complex history.

"Only when we cease to scream with activity can we hear the gentle murmur of peace within."