Tragedy and Triumph

I get much of my news throughout the day from CNN.com. Also, like so many people, I still remember the shock and heartbreak I felt when visiting one day in August 2007 and reading a story about Youssif, a young boy from Iraq. He was four years old when, in January 2007, he was doused with gasoline and set on fire by masked men while he was playing outside (I decided not to post pictures of the aftermath here). It was an unconscionable act that struck a chord around the world.

Since his story was reported on CNN.com, over 12,000 people contributed to a fund set up by the Children's Burn Foundation. The money that was raised allowed for Youssif and his family to travel to the United States for surgery. To date, he has had over 12 surgeries and has reached several milestones along the way. For instance, he can now smile whereas he was unable to initially after the incident. Youssif and his family currently live in Los Angeles where he attends first grade.

Some have tried to politicize this tragedy by positioning it as a byproduct of the War in Iraq, offering it as a sign of proof that chaos reigns and that America never should have invaded. For all of its imperfections, I believe America is a noble country at its core and that the perpetrators of this act alone are responsible; evil knows no borders. I hope Youssif continues to enjoy a better quality of life here, and I will always be moved and angered when I think of his ongoing plight.