It seems like a lot of people would never forget this day. It's been seven years now. I figured there would be a lot of "reflection" blogs and articles about how we have changed since 9/11 and what exactly was going on and what people were doing on that day. The day went by like no other. There was the everyday cubicle meetings, adding on the remembrance of that day....remembering the day to a point where people can pin-point on minute details. Well, here is my recollection of September 11, in the year of 2001.
The day started off like the previous day, with me waking up at 6am for school. I was a Junior back then. I don't usually have breakfast only cause it upsets my stomach. Not even a glass of water can settle in the mornings. I don't know why it's like that; I should probably consult with a physician cause they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Mental Note - Call Doctor About Breakfast. I knew exactly what I wore. Khaki pants with a light blue button down shirt on top of a white undershirt. See, I went to a private high school, so uniforms were mandatory. It was during the first period, Religion I believe....the irony. I loved that class. The class is taught by a priest. He's not like the other priests; he's chill, down-to-earth...well...if he's a priest than he should up-to-heaven more than down-to-earth. if you get what I'm saying. He's one the many few teachers who can connect with kids and be on their level. We usually watch movies in the class and then reflect on the movies on paper and class discussions. It was the best thing for someone whose not really a morning person. I could've used an hour or more of sleep.
Half-way through class there was an announcement on the PA system. It went something along the lines of there was an attack on the United States in New York. The Hancock building has been evacuated. We were in no immediate danger but if you wish to go home than you can. Very vague but informative. During break we went upstairs to my French teachers class. Not because he gave us free food and life lessons, but because he had a TV with cable. So we turned on the news and saw the Twin Towers on fire. No one really said much, they just gazed at the TV. Some had their hands on their mouths, others had wide eyes like as if they couldn't believe this was happening. Then all of a sudden the other plane hits the other tower. Huge gasps were heard everywhere. I remember someone saying, "Oh my God!". I was waiting forJohn McClane to jump out of the tower and take these guys down barefoot. But no, today was not the day Bruce Willis would appear; even though the it felt like a Die Hard movie. It would have been nice to see him there. I think everyone would have wished John McClane was there. We could have used him that day.
I don't really want to go into major details just because its hard to talk about them sometimes. It's not like I was there; I don't think I knew anyone...who...u know. But just knowing that it happened; knowing that someone could do this without regrets is the part that disgusts me. It hurts to know that so many people lost so many loved ones. Someone , that day, lost their mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, auntie, grandmother, or even grandfather. And it hurts to know that. I don't know what I would be like. Certainly angry. I would want some kind of revenge; want my country to back me up and defend my hate for the people who had done this; to make sure these people can't do it again and to punish them. Yes, I would have done this even if there was no support.
The nation was sad as was I. Couple months into the year I started to realize that the attacks on the towers sent a huge ripple into the Hate Sea. I could feel the after-shocks at home. Hate crimes being committed every so often. Being abused just cause of my skin color. At one time, I remember going to Taco Bell after playing at our Private Tennis Club. Me, my brother, dad and sister walked in. I remember telling my dad that we should change the flag that we put on the antenna to show our support. It was ripping from the side. He agreed. My dad was the last one to walk in; just as someone yelled something at us while driving by. I turned as did my dad. My dad had a disgusted look on his face, while I had no idea what just happened. "What happen dad, what did he say? Did we leave our lights on something?". "No, don't worry, I didn't hear anything anyway." While ordering our food, a woman came up to us and said, "I want to apologize on his behalf. It was disgusting what he said. I am sorry you had to hear that." My dad smiled and said, "Thank you, but after hearing something like that, you have to learn to ignore it and move on." The woman smiled and walked back to her seat. I looked at my dad and he went back to ordering his food. At that point I realized what that other guy in the car had said. I was angry, I wanted to go out there and beat the shit out of him. I have every right as does the person next to me be in this country. I have every right to prosper and live the American Dream. Just like you do and the person next to you. This is our right that we inherit when we become citizens. So who is he to say the stuff that he said. Its shameful. I bet you this though...one day, he's gonna say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get his ass whopped. And that will be my victory. A Reminder: this country was built by Immigrants.
And today; seven years later. The country has changed. Random-brown-guy-check at every checkpoint at airports. If your name sounds funny and your brown, then be prepared to be delayed for an hour. Forget the fact that you have an US Passport. In this day and age, it doesn't mean anything. We accepted this. For the safety of the nation. But this was abused by the system. We allowed the system to treat us like children. To listen in on our conversation and to make decisions for us. This country is based on us. It is "for the people by the people of the people". Is it not?
That is my recollection of that day. We honor it by having a moment of silence every year. To let it sink in on what happened seven years ago. It instills fear in some people, knowing that it could happen again at no moments notice. Many take this time to appreciate the soldiers over seas trying to prevent the bullies from taking away our freedom. We take time to remember all the people who didn't make it home at the end of the work shift; that day the people who had one, two or even three empty chairs at their dinner tables; the children who weren't read their nightly bedtime stories; the birthday celebrations that never happened because the guest of honor couldn't be found; the people who helped rescue the few survivors; the firefighters who risked their lives and everyone else...we remember all these people as fighters; workers; heroes..but most of all...I remember these people as Citizens of Freedom.
Question to Ponder: How have you changed in the last seven years?
The day started off like the previous day, with me waking up at 6am for school. I was a Junior back then. I don't usually have breakfast only cause it upsets my stomach. Not even a glass of water can settle in the mornings. I don't know why it's like that; I should probably consult with a physician cause they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Mental Note - Call Doctor About Breakfast. I knew exactly what I wore. Khaki pants with a light blue button down shirt on top of a white undershirt. See, I went to a private high school, so uniforms were mandatory. It was during the first period, Religion I believe....the irony. I loved that class. The class is taught by a priest. He's not like the other priests; he's chill, down-to-earth...well...if he's a priest than he should up-to-heaven more than down-to-earth. if you get what I'm saying. He's one the many few teachers who can connect with kids and be on their level. We usually watch movies in the class and then reflect on the movies on paper and class discussions. It was the best thing for someone whose not really a morning person. I could've used an hour or more of sleep.
Half-way through class there was an announcement on the PA system. It went something along the lines of there was an attack on the United States in New York. The Hancock building has been evacuated. We were in no immediate danger but if you wish to go home than you can. Very vague but informative. During break we went upstairs to my French teachers class. Not because he gave us free food and life lessons, but because he had a TV with cable. So we turned on the news and saw the Twin Towers on fire. No one really said much, they just gazed at the TV. Some had their hands on their mouths, others had wide eyes like as if they couldn't believe this was happening. Then all of a sudden the other plane hits the other tower. Huge gasps were heard everywhere. I remember someone saying, "Oh my God!". I was waiting forJohn McClane to jump out of the tower and take these guys down barefoot. But no, today was not the day Bruce Willis would appear; even though the it felt like a Die Hard movie. It would have been nice to see him there. I think everyone would have wished John McClane was there. We could have used him that day.
I don't really want to go into major details just because its hard to talk about them sometimes. It's not like I was there; I don't think I knew anyone...who...u know. But just knowing that it happened; knowing that someone could do this without regrets is the part that disgusts me. It hurts to know that so many people lost so many loved ones. Someone , that day, lost their mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, auntie, grandmother, or even grandfather. And it hurts to know that. I don't know what I would be like. Certainly angry. I would want some kind of revenge; want my country to back me up and defend my hate for the people who had done this; to make sure these people can't do it again and to punish them. Yes, I would have done this even if there was no support.
The nation was sad as was I. Couple months into the year I started to realize that the attacks on the towers sent a huge ripple into the Hate Sea. I could feel the after-shocks at home. Hate crimes being committed every so often. Being abused just cause of my skin color. At one time, I remember going to Taco Bell after playing at our Private Tennis Club. Me, my brother, dad and sister walked in. I remember telling my dad that we should change the flag that we put on the antenna to show our support. It was ripping from the side. He agreed. My dad was the last one to walk in; just as someone yelled something at us while driving by. I turned as did my dad. My dad had a disgusted look on his face, while I had no idea what just happened. "What happen dad, what did he say? Did we leave our lights on something?". "No, don't worry, I didn't hear anything anyway." While ordering our food, a woman came up to us and said, "I want to apologize on his behalf. It was disgusting what he said. I am sorry you had to hear that." My dad smiled and said, "Thank you, but after hearing something like that, you have to learn to ignore it and move on." The woman smiled and walked back to her seat. I looked at my dad and he went back to ordering his food. At that point I realized what that other guy in the car had said. I was angry, I wanted to go out there and beat the shit out of him. I have every right as does the person next to me be in this country. I have every right to prosper and live the American Dream. Just like you do and the person next to you. This is our right that we inherit when we become citizens. So who is he to say the stuff that he said. Its shameful. I bet you this though...one day, he's gonna say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get his ass whopped. And that will be my victory. A Reminder: this country was built by Immigrants.
And today; seven years later. The country has changed. Random-brown-guy-check at every checkpoint at airports. If your name sounds funny and your brown, then be prepared to be delayed for an hour. Forget the fact that you have an US Passport. In this day and age, it doesn't mean anything. We accepted this. For the safety of the nation. But this was abused by the system. We allowed the system to treat us like children. To listen in on our conversation and to make decisions for us. This country is based on us. It is "for the people by the people of the people". Is it not?
That is my recollection of that day. We honor it by having a moment of silence every year. To let it sink in on what happened seven years ago. It instills fear in some people, knowing that it could happen again at no moments notice. Many take this time to appreciate the soldiers over seas trying to prevent the bullies from taking away our freedom. We take time to remember all the people who didn't make it home at the end of the work shift; that day the people who had one, two or even three empty chairs at their dinner tables; the children who weren't read their nightly bedtime stories; the birthday celebrations that never happened because the guest of honor couldn't be found; the people who helped rescue the few survivors; the firefighters who risked their lives and everyone else...we remember all these people as fighters; workers; heroes..but most of all...I remember these people as Citizens of Freedom.
Question to Ponder: How have you changed in the last seven years?
