Reflection: September 11, 2001

Every September since 2001, I find myself melancholy and intensely reflective of that horrible day and all the days that have followed. It truly was a ripple in time that I don’t think we, as humans, will ever recover from. The simple acts of looking at the internet news of the day or turning on one of the 24 hour cable news stations brings, to me, an anxiety that maybe, just maybe, something that horrific has happened again. CNN, for example, has added a bright red box at the top of the page anytime “breaking news” is occurring to let the internet news junkie know immediately it is time to sit up and take notice. I am filled with dread when I see the red box. I am filled with ire when the red box is telling me about some athlete that tested positive for steroid use or that Britney Spears had another baby. It is possible that we could nail down a definitive definition of “breaking news” that does not include the goings on of celebrities.

I am deeply saddened because I think that before September 11, 2001, I could never have dreamed of being so afraid of seemingly benign acts that are performed in a million ways all over the world every day. People, all strangers to me, woke up, prepared for the day ahead as they had done so many times before. None of them thought that they were literally ticking down the final hours and minutes of their life and the final hours and minutes of complacency in the minds of many Americans.

I still cannot believe it happened. I cannot fathom how the hijackers planned and executed the events of that day. Most of us are not the type of people who can think of these things before they happen. That is why I will never feel safe. Sure, I cannot imagine anything worse than September 11, 2001, but I am willing to bet those behind the day can. I have no doubt they have plans in actions as I sit here typing away on my laptop. Whenever those plans come to fruition, I will, no doubt, ask over and over again who could think of doing such a thing. I must have asked my husband that question 1,000 times on the days following 9/11. He will not have an answer.

Like everyone else, I have pondered whether or not it is too soon for the movies that are being released at an ever increasing rate telling the story of that day from different angles. Many are outraged that Hollywood would attempt to capitalize on the tragedy so soon. Others feel certain that the families of the victims should not be reminded of the day their lives changed forever. I, however, don’t think there is anything on this planet that could make the families and friends of the victims forget. I think that the families of the victims are probably much more worried that the rest of us will forget; they know they have no way of forgetting. The void in their hearts will be there for the rest of their lives. It is up to the rest of us to honor the memory of the victims by not forgetting.

I recently watched United 93 and came away from it with a completely new perspective of the day that changed us forever. The most striking detail is that I did not recognize any of the actors. There are no personalities in this movie, just regular people. And that is the point. Everyone on that plane and the other planes was a person, no better and certainly no worse than any of the rest of us, with the obvious exception of the hijackers themselves.

Secondly, no one is given a name in the movie. The only time I was sure of who one of the actors was portraying was when the phrase “Let’s Roll” was spoken. Those words have gone down in history as the words of Todd Beamer (above) as the passengers of United 93 prepared to fight back. Those on the plane, for the purposes of the movie, did not need names. The point is that they were just like you and me. It could have been you or me.

To me, it is an insult that people are complaining about having to take their shoes off at the airport and dispose of all liquids before making it past airport security. Not only that, but it is preposterous because, seriously, what liquid is so important or what minor inconvenience of having to take off your shoes is big enough that the people who died on September 11, 2001 weren’t worth? Are there really people out there who think these are the big problems of our times? Are there really people so selfish that they cannot see that it is for our own protection? For Pete’s sake (and it’s only Pete’s sake because I have nieces and a nephew now that make me feel I should self-edit), what makes you think you are so important?

I know who you are. I have stood behind you in line at the airport and listened to you complain about the delays for what feels like an eternity. How about this? How about you just zip it and deal with it like the rest of us and spare us your rants, your sighs, your eye rolls, and all the other theatrics.

I was in Oklahoma City the day of the bombing of the federal building. I heard the blast. I have not forgotten that day, and I know I am not alone. It is always there in the back of my mind. I will never feel safe again as a result of that day and I know my fears increased a thousand-fold September 11. I didn’t watch the movie for the plot; I know how it ended. I watched the movie because I wanted a reminder of the strength of character people can possess in the face of horrific events. I wanted to remember them instead of the perpetrators of those evil acts. I wanted to remember those who were brave. And that is what the movie succeeded in doing. The hijackers were inconsequential. The ones who came shining through were the passengers who decided not to let them reach their target. Please remember them.