9/11 Never Forget – No, really never forget
If you’re over the age of twenty, you remember September 11, 2001. You likely remember exactly where you were, exactly what you were doing, and exactly who you were with or what you were eating for breakfast. If you were an adult, you remember the complete and utter disbelief that rocked your entire being. You had no actual understanding of the monumental event that was occurring, nor could you imagine the massive loss of precious life America would sustain or how it would affect the people.
Throughout history, we’ve only had a handful of tragedies on American soil; none of them have been of this magnitude. Our false sense of security was demolished that day, and we still don’t know what to do with those feelings.
Our thoughts turned to the people we knew that lived in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Were they okay? How close to the Twin Towers die they work or live? How close were they to the Pentagon? And so on.
We watched the scene unfold, terror immobilizing us, seventeen years later still able to recall the place we were standing when the second plane hit.
Thousands died that day. It was a tragedy, and the first time since the Revolutionary War that we became acutely aware that we’re vulnerable to foreign attack—and technically, the Revolutionary War wasn’t foreign.
What did America do with this new world we were thrust into, where we had to admit that we were vulnerable, that we weren’t liked by all people, nations, and religions? Because, before that, we thought we were impervious. We were the greatest country on Earth, right?
As a people, we did nothing good in the long run.
Of course, there are hundreds of accounts of bravery and kindness. Our first responders and volunteers met the mark, going above and beyond. They put their own lives at risk to save or recover victims of the massacre. Those brave men and women will never be the same emotionally after what they saw and went through. Some will never be the same physically, and they made incredible self-sacrifices. For that, I’m eternally grateful.
What good did I expect—or foolishly hope—to come of this? I hoped that we’d come together as a people, a nation, and a community. We did, for a minute, but it didn’t last. Not only did it not last, but our nation has become uglier with each passing year.
We’ve allowed politics, religion, race, and socioeconomical differences to divide us to the point of violence. Not that we didn’t have violence before—we certainly did—but it’s so much more prevalent now. I weep for the future of my children in this dark new world.
I’m very private about my political beliefs and intend to stay that way. If you’d like to discuss what I believe, I’m happy to do so, but I’m not duking it out on social media. I have very calm debates with friends and family regarding politics and religion. I listen to their differing views and try to find something that resonates with me. If I can’t, I still respect their opinions. Because, here’s a secret: You don’t have to agree with someone to remain respectful.
That’s fundamentally what we’re missing. We’ve lost all contact with respect for others and their right to have opinions.
So many of you have posted “Never Forget” as we mourn the loss of the thousands of people who died this day, seventeen years ago. I feel your sentiment, I feel your loss, I feel your sense of mourning.
But think about this for a moment:
Two-thousand nine-hundred seventy-seven people died on 9/11. They weren’t all Americans, and they weren’t all white, black, brown, or purple. They weren’t all republicans, democrats, feminists, fundamentalists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindis, Atheists. They weren’t all pro or anti-choice.
What were they all? They were all people.
You’re mourning all of them today; remembering them.
You’re mourning the dead republicans, democrats, Christians, Muslims, Hindis, and Atheists—ALL of them. Right? You aren’t saying a prayer today that says, “Lord, please let all the liberals rest easy in your arms in heaven, and Fuck the democrats.” At least, I hope that’s not what your prayer sounds like.
When you took that moment of silence to consider the loss, were you trying to figure out how many anti-choice people died so you can only count them in your remembrance? No, you were remembering the dead, all of them.
I challenge you, while you’re mourning the lost, to consider your interactions with the living. Before you condemn an entire group of people for what they believe, think about them as a living, breathing people. That asshole that cut you off in traffic this morning? They likely didn’t mean it and probably just weren’t paying attention; bless their heart and move on. It will be better for you in the long run, I promise.
Really think about your interactions with people—whether you agree with them or not. Agree to disagree if you must.
During the heated election, I lost one friend due to differing opinions. It had NOTHING to do with opposing political beliefs; we actually agreed on most points. That friendship was lost because of how she treated other people with differing opinions. I won’t tolerate that, and neither should you.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t express yourself and your beliefs, just that you need to respect others, even if you don’t agree.
Let’s remember the lost with kind hearts and treat the living as though they could be lost tomorrow.