This country is different because of 9/11, and listening to the stories of those it impacted most makes this day's significance shockingly obvious. Earlier this week, in a short film produced by the Smithsonian, I heard stories of those who were trapped inside the building, those who just made it out in time, and the brave souls who risked, and lost, their lives for others. One woman who worked on an upper floor in the South Tower, described the sound of the first plane hitting the other tower. The ominous, otherworldly boom left her confused, she had no idea what had just happened, although decided it was in her best interest to evacuate her office and the building to see what had occurred. Shortly after she exited her building, Flight 175 hit the South Tower, within a floor or so of her workspace.
Other impacts of the day were not so direct, but possibly more long-term. In the September 10th episode of "This American Life," an American-born Muslim mother tells the story of her daughter, Chloe, and the torture she experienced years after the attacks. Chloe was young, maybe 8 or 9, at the time the planes hit the towers. According to her mother, on the first anniversary of the event, Chloe's schoolteacher had the students read a book about 9/11, which included how Muslims are evil people and hate America and all it stands for. Chloe was ridiculed and taunted for months, and became so physically ill to be bedridden. At the time of the interview, the family had relocated three or four times and still experienced hatred and ostracism. When asked how she had coped with this, and still had such pride in the United States, Chloe's mother said she clutched to, and imposed on her children, very targeted reading. The family studied the treatment of the Japanese after WWII, for example, and how their poor treatment was, eventually, no longer accepted. She hopes the same will happen for her people.
With all this, I began to consider what my reaction and thoughts were regarding the event, especially concerning the heightened security and apparent bomb threats hanging over our heads this weekend. On most other occasions, I disregard such warnings, chalking them up to propaganda and the ignorant paranoia of the American public. I scoff at the TSA and rant about the injustice of their supposed "random" searches. However, I've decided this weekend to not ride the metro. Or go anywhere near the Mall or 9/11 recognition events. This is not only because I am a coward, but because I'm not a hero and I wouldn't be willing to die for this country. Don't take me wrong, I love so much of what the United States has to offer me, and all the opportunities I've been given. I have a privileged life, most of which can be credited to my upbringing and the rights and policies of the United States.
My freedoms, though, have caused much suffering around the world. Yes, we were attacked 10 years ago and it was horrific and awful. None of those civilians deserved to die, and the suffering that exists still today, in the families of victims, is the result of hatred, violence and lack of knowledge that exists around the world, including in the United States, as exemplified by Chloe's story. However, over the history of our country's existence, especially as the global superpower, there have been a string of well-planned and intentional devastations of other nations and their cultures. Our foreign policy has been steeped in violence and one-ups-man-ship as of late, and when we could have been discussing and learning from each other, we more often use bombs. Our use of weapons and war are likely intended to bring closure, to make Americans feel safer. In reality, they open more doors to violence.
9/11 was not to be taken lightly. If the American government had come out and stated that there would be no retaliation, and that they were traveling to Afghanistan for "peace-talks", even I would have been furious and disheartened. But after thousands more deaths, of Americans and others, and little improvement, I've begun rethinking. When Osama bin Laden was shot down in May, I wonder how the American families of those who were killed actually felt. Maybe they did have relief. But, to be honest, I don't feel any safer, today, just because bin Laden no longer exists. He was an evil and horrible man, and his hatred was like a virus that spread through those who followed him, but there are others who will take his place. Until we have dialogue with those who abhor us, our culture, and our economic policy, we will always be in danger.
Here are two photos of the 9/11 Newseum exhibit:
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| Engine Parts of a Hijacked Plane |
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| Headline of San Francisco Examiner 9/11/01 |
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