9/11 is the paradigm.
It only took a week or so before ubiquitous American flags were replaced by yellow ribbons, as the attack on the Twin Towers morphed from an outrage to a tragedy. Media exposure of the tower jumpers was throttled.
Outrage usually results in a response, push-back against domestic Muslims who not only failed to demonstrate in the streets against radical Islam, but openly exulted in the deadly attack. America wilted.
Tragedy de-fangs outrage, defusing and diffusing reactions. As with Christianity’s tolerance for violence against Christians, it is easier and safer to look away or maybe fly a yellow ribbon.
Change is hard. Self-destruction is easy.
***as the attack on the Twin Towers morphed from an outrage to a tragedy.***
Pearl Harbor...”Those dirty Japs! I’m joining up tomorrow and kill Japs!”
Twin Towers...”OH WHAT did we do to them to make them hate us so! I would join up and....Oh gosh! Gotta run to my basket weaving class!”