It ushered in an era that I don't think is over yet. And though the horrific events of the day briefly united us as a nation, ultimately it has torn us apart. How does America deal with terrorism? Do we react with force or do we try to engage our enemies? These political differences have created an ever-widening rift in the country of my birth. Indeed, these differences divide the people of Israel as well.
There are no easy answers to these questions. But just for today, I am taking the time to remember and to honor the victims, those who died trying to save them and all of the rest of the amazing people who came out to rebuild my broken city, as well as those who died at the pentagon and on Flight 93.
9 comments:
i remember that day if it were yestarday. i came into my parents room and i saw my father watching something wiered on tv. i told him-how can you watch those stupid american movies? and then he told me-*it is not a movie, it is true*. i remember my shok.
Americans, unfortunately, have yet to identify the enemy. One can't even have a discussion without someone yelling bigot or intolerant. But some people are beginning to get it.
I can't even think about that day without getting scared all over again.
I will never forget.
I wonder what lessons kids in the US are taught on that day...
Baila,
A new reader...I look forward to reading your posts.
I was in the den that morning watching Good Morning America before I went to my teaching job. I remember seeing what I thought was a small plane crash with a fireball into one of the towers. Little did I know that the small plane was a jetliner!
You are right, what should have united us against the evil has divided us. Unfortunately, we will not be able to abandon the fight against this evil...it threatens Israel as it has for years, and it is threatening America now.
I know that I'll never think about September 11 as another day again...
Sheldon Dan
Even though I've been living in Israel since 1983 that day struck a horrible chord in my heart. It's also the day when I realized that I'm not really an American, I'm a New Yorker.
thank you for this thoughtful, eloquent IMPORTANT post.
I saw this post a little late. I remember exactly where I was that day: about to go to work, when our little TV in the kitchen of our then home, on in the a.m. for the news, was showing this horrific sight.
I called my (then) boss to say I was not coming in. She couldn't understand why, even though I had a sister and niece living in New York (and still do). People did not understand the import of this shocking atrocity.
As Leora said, up top, many still don't (although maybe some are starting to). It's still "politically incorrect" to say 'we are at war with Islam.' Maybe we should say, 'Islam is at war with us!
I made aliyah long before those buildings were built, and they were never in my visual memory. My kids were all there at one time or another.
I do know terrorism though and was injured by an Arab terrorist. I wish Americans took the dangers we face here in Israel more seriously.
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