Today social media will be clogged with images from September 11th, 2001. There will be many declarations of “We Remember”, “Never Forget”, and other expressions of remembrance and unity.
But do we remember? There was a sense of unity, nationalism, bravery, and pride in the days following the attack. There were few houses that weren’t flying the American flag in the weeks following. So what happened?
Where are the flags? Oh, that’s right, they’re now being burned in protest of slights either real or imagined. Flying one is a microaggression sure to trigger someone by insulting them.
Where is our nationalism? Oops, forgot. It’s not hip or trendy to be a proud American these days. Better to kneel during our national anthem to protest the injustices suffered while making millions of dollars to play a game.
Unity? Well, it takes a disaster for that to happen apparently. We came together after the attack. We’re coming together now to help the victims of Harvey and Irma. I guess we all go back to our insular views once these disasters have been mitigated.
Bravery fortunately still exists. We still have Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen in harm’s way performing missions that the majority of Americans don’t care to hear about anymore. And, sadly, there will be a segment of Americans who will revile these brave men and women for their deeds.
I don’t think we really remember the September 11th, 2001 attacks, at least not on a daily basis. For a few weeks there we were all Americans. Now 9-11 is a meme, a throwaway cliche to be used every September 11th.
You do realize, dear reader, that we are Americans the other 364 days of the year, right? That we rise and fall as a nation, not as individuals? We don’t really need some horrific catastrophe to unite, to be the best we can be, do we?
If under an event such as this is the only time we can set our differences aside and focus on the greater good, we don’t have long as a nation. We need to make a vow, today, the 16th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, to stop listening to the mainstream media and those with an overwhelming voice and listen to our voices within to be Americans. To help lift up those we can instead of trying to tear down those who aggrieve us. To allow everyone to rise to the heights they are capable of.
We must not let any influence, foreign or domestic, divide us in any way. Let’s concentrate on making America truly the United States.
