Thoughts About Today..
It’s crazy to think that it’s been 8 years since September 11, 2001. I can still remember sitting in Geometry class Freshman year of high school, and hearing the principal come over the intercom to relay the unfolding news. On one hand it feels like yesterday, and the other as thought it really has been quite some time. The events of that day no doubt effected every single person in the U.S. There are also those who were affected more deeply and closely than others. Living just an hour outside NYC, the effects were right in front of me. You could see the smoke from the towers from parts of my town. I couldn’t even imagine the images of actually being there.. all this set aside, there has been talk about America becoming complacent in today’s world, 2009. I can’t help but agree. However, I don’t think this is to anyone’s fault. I think it’s only natural. I don’t think anyone of us will “ever forget,” but the reality just isn’t the same as it was 8 years ago. I’m the first one to admit that I have somewhat fallen under this “complacency.” The first handful of times that I boarded an airplane and ventured into the city, I was downright scared. My heart would race sometimes, sub consciously. I had the fear inside me that the events of 9/11 instilled in me. But today? It’s there. Like I said, it always will be. But it’s far less apparent and much further back in my mind. I sort of trust people and my surroundings more these days. I’m less aware of the potential dangers of each situation I enter. Is this a bad thing? Well, on some accounts, yes. I think you can understand the problems with a general public that has lost its sense of alertness. But then again, should we go through life living this way, in such fear? What makes America what it is, is the freedom that one has the privilege of living with. 9/11 took part of that away. But I think people are starting to get it back. I think there can be a healthy balance between never forgetting, always alert, and yet a sense of comfort that people can live with. It’s this balance that America needs to have and needs to keep now and in the future to let the U.S. remain what it is, for it will never be the same as what it once was.