Dialogue: Lesson time as Uncle Sam starts to roll up his sleeves

Americans' response to terrorism on their soil contains important lessons for a New Zealand devoid of unifying symbols, writes HOWARD FREDERICK*.

After immigrating to New Zealand more than three years ago, I like to think I have finally crossed the line from being the American professor to being a new New Zealander.

I am proud that in my first year I obtained residency, in my second year I was able to vote, and in my third year I was able to apply for New Zealand citizenship.

When fate found me within hours of the tragedies in New York and Washington, I saw my former countrymen with the clearer eyes of an outsider.

Split between my two nationalities, I asked myself, what can I learn from Americans in their hours of direst distress? What lessons are there for my new life in New Zealand?

On my way back from Budapest, where I presented a conference paper on New Zealand entrepreneurship, I found myself trapped in the United States with all airports closed. My intent had been to visit American business incubators in order to advise our Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on new ways to help fledgling New Zealand businesses.

My route had been on United Airlines from Frankfurt to Washington and then on to Los Angeles on that tragic day of September 11. Fortunately for me, a few weeks earlier fate had whispered to me that I should also visit incubators in Atlanta.

Fortune further shined on me as I was able to contact and stay with my Austrian brother, with whom I had spent a year abroad as an exchange student in Austria when I was 15.

Shattered and depressed, but with more than 200 digital television channels and a DSL internet connection, I was able to reflect on life, leadership and national character as an American-New Zealander.

A nation's most tragic moments expose its soul. New York City alone grieves at the loss of 5000 people. More, much more, will be asked of them in the months to come.

That's true for all Americans. Not only will they be asked to rebuild, they have now been asked to go to war. A pall of sorrow descended on every neighbourhood in Atlanta.

Unlike most American expatriates, I was able to begin my grieving for the loss among the grieving. Every second house in Atlanta displayed the flag as a symbol of determination.

For those who thought America could be bullied, it was a defiant declaration that they were wrong.

Deeds followed words. Donors swamped blood banks. Military recruiters were flooded with inquiries. On one road in Atlanta, I saw every church advertising services of remembrance. Sporting events were cancelled. Even the autumn television previews were postponed.

The inspiring but strangely haunting tones of God Bless America arose spontaneously wherever masses congregated.

Determination, steadfastness and unity, mixed with revenge, reprisal, and retaliation: these are the hallmarks of Uncle Sam rolling up his sleeves for a fight.

These are the signs of stunning national resolve. These are the signs of a nation maturing yet again. What are the lessons for us New Zealanders, a country in many ways much younger than America?

New Zealand is curious in its dearth of common symbols of hope, determination and the greater good behind which to unite diverse peoples and agendas.

As long as we cannot agree on unifying symbols such as flag and anthem, we continue to show a sign of our immaturity.

We will respond positively to leaders who through words and deeds reflect our resolve to confront the larger questions of destiny and national purpose.

We aspire to be more than a sporting nation. We hunger for a unified purpose that goes beyond the pitch.

New Zealanders do share some powerful unifying symbols. The voyage is one of them. All New Zealanders revere such maritime symbols as the clipper Dunedin, the first refrigerator ship to open trade with Britain, and the ocean-crossing waka, which brought the fittest and brightest Polynesians to our shores.

For us today, the internet is the modern equivalent of the freezer ship, and Maori use the cyberwaka to talk about settling new territories in the digital economy.

Immigrants are what made both our countries great. Immigrants don't have a fear of what is around the corner and are willing to leap into the unknown to better themselves.

There is one characteristic missing in the US. Sure, Americans pour out their generosity and sociability in times of crisis. At the same time they seem oblivious to social inequality, standing persistently behind social group boundaries.

New Zealanders are different. We act within a certain to and fro, giving and taking. Communication between social groups does takes place with some respect.

The connection between economic and social development is discussed openly and not swept under the carpet as it is in the US.

For all the benefits, Rogernomics failed to create the foundations for prosperity by building the nation's innovation infrastructure.

In America, 40 years of interventionist Government investment in research and development and education has led to the creation of thousands of billion-dollar companies.

That, bit by bit, is changing in New Zealand. We are on the right course. Knowledge and education are the keys to our country's success.

We yearn for national purpose, and this is it. Our own crusade for a prosperous and equitable future is a unifying epic voyage for New Zealand.

* Howard Frederick is professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Unitec.

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