9/11 is often referred to in the media, as the "day everything changed," or "the day America changed." Do you think this is accurate? What has changed for you? What needs to still change? Does anything need to change?
The fear, the terror, the uncertainty, and the anxiety made a huge impact on America on the eleventh day of September of 2001. As buildings came crashing down and mass hysteria set in, the world came together. Strangers were hand-in-hand whether fleeing to safety or hugging in grief. Men and women risked and lost their lives to save others who in some cases they had never even met. Everyone rushed to the aid of those in need with food, money, transportation, and shelter. Ten years later, even though we say "never forget", it seems as though, too many already have.
Maybe people haven't forgotten the sight of the planes crashing in to the buildings or people jumping to their deaths. Maybe some people are still terrified of the safety of public transportation or feel uncomfortable visiting their once favorite city. Maybe heroes are still honored in homes by their families where they are missed. And maybe once a year, we bow our heads and take a moment of silence to remember those innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, what I don't believe anyone seems to remember is how on that one day, despite the great losses we suffered, we all united!
For a short period of time, race, religion, and social status did not matter. It was not every man for himself. It was a time of brotherhood. I remember having a great sense of peace watching Mayor Guiliani on the television speaking and assuring everyone we would be okay, and I remember a sense of hope as distraught men and women covered in soot hugged, carried each other, and walked together. Even though it was sad that it took a tragedy to bring everyone together, I thought at that time that we were going to become a stronger nation than ever before!
Ten years later, it seems as if many have forgotten that gloomy day and how much we needed to rely on our neighbor. It seems as though we have become a nation divided. It seems as though the middle class is disappearing as we are becoming labeled "rich" and "poor". It seems as though we have taken steps back when it comes to prejudicy. It seems as though we still live in fear. It seems as though it does unfortunately take a catastrophy for people to come together whether it be through hurricanes, tornados, or earthquakes, but when we are living in "normal day-to-day life", we seem to forget one another. We seem to forget that we need each other. We seem to forget that we are in fact all equal and that one life is not more important than another.
On this September 11th, I hope that everyone can take a moment to extend a helping hand to someone in need, offer a smile to a stranger, and most importantly realize from the great words of Ronald Reagan, that "If we ever forget that we are ONE nation UNDER GOD, then we are one nation gone under". And that is what I'll never forget.
