On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

[burendasan4]

With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, there have been a lot of "Where were you on that day?" stories circulating on television, news, and online media. And I'm sure people will contribute their own stories throughout the day. However, I already wrote a detailed account of that day* 5 years ago (It feels like I wrote that entry only last year!). While I wish I had written my account of that day sooner, I am surprised at the amount of detail I remembered 5 years ago that I don't remember now. So I don't really have anything else to add except that the events that have happened since then that have been a direct result of that day have only deepened my sense of disappointment, sadness, helplessness, and anger about the direction this country is taking.
My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones on 9/11 and are still feeling the pain of their absence 10 years later. My heart also goes out to those who have lost their lives as a result of what has come after 9/11.

I can't help but feel this is all playing out like a Greek tragedy that has not yet ended, and I'm afraid to know how this will all end...

UPDATE: I wrote the above last night, pretty close to midnight. I woke up this morning and realized that things don't have to end bad for us as a country. Since we don't yet know what the "end" of this will be, we can't say for sure it will end badly. Then, I went on to FB and saw that on September 11, many happy things have occurred: People's birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other memorable moments that were positive. In spite of the infamy attached to this day, those people chose to focus on the good things that happened to them and see this is a happy day.
I look out the window and see that it is beautiful outside...almost like that day exactly 10 years ago. But on this day, I choose to feel hopeful. Things don't have to end badly for the country. This doesn't change the events of the past 10 years and the sadness that has resulted. And for those who lost loved ones on 9/11, it will inevitably and understandably be a day of mourning. But for today, besides honoring the memories of those who have died because of 9/11, we should feel hopeful as we look to the future.

*Link to entry on LiveJournal as it originally appeared on this post (9/11/21)

Comments

[slashtacular.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for posting this. I've also been thinking this as well and I thought I'd share an email I received from Meetup.com - which has been my primary way of finding community here in Chicago. Here goes:

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I hoped they wouldn't bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and grow local communities?

We didn't know if it would work. Most people thought it was a crazy idea -- especially because terrorism is designed to make people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it's working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of 100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's powerful stuff.

It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren't for 9/11.

9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we're just getting started with these Meetups.

[burendasan4.livejournal.com]

This is an excellent example of something positive to have come out of 9/11. Now more than ever, we need to make connections and build community...in person, face-to-face! We need to focus on what we have in common rather than our differences.
Thanks for posting this!