The word <em>wishing </em>is used as a participle in this case. Although gerunds and participles look the same, they are used in different senses - gerunds generally denote nouns, whereas participles have more of an adverbial meaning.
To be in the same (usually unpleasant) situation as someone else or other people
aggressive, determined, earnest, energetic, enthusiastic, resourceful, anxious, ardent, aspiring, avid, ball of fire, bent upon, climbing... you get it...
Answer:
In paragraph 8 of the write-up "Quilt of a Country", the author - Anna Quindlen having analysed the sociological makeup of America, its unity regardless of the foundational dissimilarities refers to the act of complaining about other people who are different as pride.
He makes this assertion then goes on to justify why by relating the fact that the deaths toll of 9-11 does not comprise of one category of people.
It can also be inferred that he alludes to the fact that if terrible times such as wars and terrorism can equalise us and bind us together, how much more unified should we be in the time of peace?
Cheers
