Over the past two weeks, the news media and social media has flooded us with reminders of our promise to never forget 911 (September 11, 2001). Unfortunately, anyone honestly looking at America over the past few years could not help but believe this is little more than hype, and we have indeed forgotten that promise. No, we have not forgotten the many lives lost in the collapse of the Twin Towers, the lives lost at the Pentagon, and lives of those lost on United Airlines Flight 93, but we have seemingly forgotten one of the most important points to come from that terrible day. We have forgotten how we rallied together as one in the days after that senseless attack on our nation. Increasingly over the past few years, being an American has taken a back seat to our zeal to be seen and heard as a conservative, a liberal, a Republican, or a Democrat. We have forgotten how we stood as brothers and sisters in the face of disaster and adversity. In the days immediately following September 11, 2001, Americans drank from the same fountain of unity regardless of their political or social beliefs and standing. Sadly, with time that fountain has gone dry.
From the ashes of 911, America briefly found itself, but as time distanced us from the tragedy, we once more lost ourselves. Banners of hate, pride, intolerance, and partisan politics replaced the banner of unity we had found. For whatever reason, we decided differences of opinion were grounds for disdain for our neighbor, and debating those differences was a venue for name calling, vulgarity, and senseless uncontrolled rage. We have lost sight that the acceptance of such behavior is a slap in the face to being an American, patriotism, and sanity as well as foolish and dangerous, but that is where we are. We should not be a nation ruled by hate and mistrust or divided by racial tensions, a neighbor’s conservative or liberal views, different religious beliefs, or a different lifestyle. As a nation we are built on a constitution, philosophy, common sense, and decency that says all men and women are created equal and have the right of expression and personal pursuit of happiness. In America, to believe otherwise is to open the door to oppression – as of late, that door has been flung wide open.
911 is a reminder of the destructive power of hate. It is a reminder that such evil can bring the greatest of nations to its knees. Unfortunately, that evil – that monster – is knocking on our door once again, but this time, it is not external but internal. As tragic as 911 was, it also proved Americans can come together under a common cause, especially if that common cause is the preservation of American life as we know it. Such a cause has never been in greater need than it is today. Unless we drink from the fountain of unity once again, we are in dire danger of losing our identity as a nation. It is time we lay aside the tags, labels, and dialogue of division, and once more welcome all to drink – if not for our sake, for the sake of our children and the future of America.
It is our duty, our responsibility, to remember 911 and to honor our promise to never forget. However, that promise goes far beyond remembering the loss of American lives. With that promise, comes our commitment to work together to ensure nothing – external or internal – endangers or threatens our great nation. Therefore, as we remember and say a prayer for the lives lost on that tragic day, let us not forget to say a prayer for ourselves and unity. Without prayer and unity, we are lost.
May God always bless our great nation.
JL
©Jack Linton, September 11, 2021
I Don't Mean to Offend, but . . . . 