It’s all about symbolism.

Beginning almost a decade ago, with an act of terrorism which seized the attention and many lives of the American people, Osama bin Laden became the face of terrorism.

For almost a decade, he has consumed the news and the thoughts of emerging young Americans; he’s consumed us.  

This international game of hide and seek began when we were in elementary school, and now we watch with mixed feelings at the end of the chase.

It almost seems it’s the end of an era.  It’s surreal.  Not happy, not joyous, but eerie.

As bin Laden was hiding in his suburban mansion, we’ve been growing up and developing our view on the world. His symbol has been a theme of “evil.” Then to look at his death and see people cheering for his murder, we have to keep in mind our values.

Values that we’ve learned since 9/11- pacifism, toleration and how being a world leader involves a certain modesty that doesn’t include being a international oppressor.

So cheer for our rights. Cheer for our freedom. Cheer for our culture, traditions and values, but if you cheer for murder, you come one step closer to condoning it.

The end of Osama bin Laden shouldn’t mean more than it is – the death of a corrupt leader who took thousands of American lives on Sep. 11, 2001. Our journey to citizenship means more than letting a symbol or one person define our childhood.

We are very blessed by the protection of our armed forces, who fight for our freedom and our values. Let us not use violence, death and warfare to define our American pride.