2008 Woodie Awards
Letter: Response dedicated to the major impact of the terrorist attacks and resulting tragedy
Response 3
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Opinion
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To the editor:
The sixth anniversary of September 11 has passed. All across the nation, flags flew in remembrance, and the flames from candlelight vigils illuminated the night, unwavering against the calm cool face of the past.
I was reminded, not of the flaws, but of the virtues of the United States citizens that were exemplified on that day.
9/11 was a day in which the true capacity and potential of humanity was reached. Everyday people were placed in an extraordinary situation and forced to put everything aside and help. Heroes were made that day, and nothing short of heroes. 9/11 compelled United States citizens to unite selflessly in the name of "humanitas", instead of being the greedy, narrow-minded, useless beings that the rest of the world stereotypically makes us out to be.
The events of September 11, 2001 and the aftermath, however, are different and should be treated as such.
I am proud of my fellow US citizens and their actions on that day; however, I am disgusted by the nationwide anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment that followed. I am proud of the definitive leadership on that day, but I am disgusted by the blame game that followed. I am proud of the number of citizens that enlisted in the Armed Forces to fight for our country, yet I am disgusted that some countrymen and women negatively associate the wars with the troops.
The big picture is important. The wars are still going on, the economy is still worsening, the national debt is still mind-boggling, basic rights are still being curtailed, and everyone still hates politicians and the government.
But the big picture includes more than just the problems of this country. Genocide, oppression, terrorism, disease, poverty, lack of clean water, lack of food, poor living conditions, environmental concerns, and lack of education-these problems and more all continue routinely in other countries that most US citizens have never heard of.
The sixth anniversary of September 11 has passed. All across the nation, flags flew in remembrance, and the flames from candlelight vigils illuminated the night, unwavering against the calm cool face of the past.
I was reminded, not of the flaws, but of the virtues of the United States citizens that were exemplified on that day.
9/11 was a day in which the true capacity and potential of humanity was reached. Everyday people were placed in an extraordinary situation and forced to put everything aside and help. Heroes were made that day, and nothing short of heroes. 9/11 compelled United States citizens to unite selflessly in the name of "humanitas", instead of being the greedy, narrow-minded, useless beings that the rest of the world stereotypically makes us out to be.
The events of September 11, 2001 and the aftermath, however, are different and should be treated as such.
I am proud of my fellow US citizens and their actions on that day; however, I am disgusted by the nationwide anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment that followed. I am proud of the definitive leadership on that day, but I am disgusted by the blame game that followed. I am proud of the number of citizens that enlisted in the Armed Forces to fight for our country, yet I am disgusted that some countrymen and women negatively associate the wars with the troops.
The big picture is important. The wars are still going on, the economy is still worsening, the national debt is still mind-boggling, basic rights are still being curtailed, and everyone still hates politicians and the government.
But the big picture includes more than just the problems of this country. Genocide, oppression, terrorism, disease, poverty, lack of clean water, lack of food, poor living conditions, environmental concerns, and lack of education-these problems and more all continue routinely in other countries that most US citizens have never heard of.
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