September 13, 2001
An Open Letter to America
The world we woke up to on Tuesday is not the world we woke to yesterday or today. So many others have said this, the thought is neither original to me nor especially startling to anyone who's been paying attention. Nobody knew this could happen to us. Nobody would have believed it. This doesn't happen in America. A month ago, if a writer had tried to sell a story or screenplay about the events of Tuesday, they'd've been told the idea was too unbelievable. Aliens blowing up the White House? Sure! Normal human terrorists? No way. Couldn't happen. Not here.
To those who have lost loved ones or are still missing loved ones:
I can barely imagine what you're going through. All of the news stories showing different people looking for their children, their parents, their husbands and wives, have been breaking my heart. Each story they show with no resolution tears me up. I want to know, along with those family members, what happened to those people. I probably never will. The worst thing, though, is that they may never know.
To the people of New York, Washington, and Somerset County:
In spite of one of the most horrendous tragedies ever seen in history, you have inspired and heartened the rest of us with the way you've pulled together, pitched in, or even just gone on with your lives amidst the damage in your homes. The stories of the hard work and dedication coming over the airwaves are nothing sort of amazing. Those of us who've written and contemplated post-apocalyptic stories owe you an apology -- in the face of apocalyptic events, you held civilization together rather than let it fall down with the twin towers.
To the US government:
Like most of my generation, I have long held a rather deep-seated cynicism where you are concerned. For all of your faults, though, I admire the reaction to Tuesday events. Despite all of my misgivings, I found myself touched and encouraged by the President's address Tuesday night. Whatever happens, no doubt the American public will stand more strongly behind you than it has since World War II.
To those responsible:
Terrorism has been a part of our world for years now. In many unfortunate ways, we had grown inured to it. Perhaps you hoped to weaken us, to frighten us into giving your groups what you wanted. You failed. What you accomplished, however, was to wake us up from our complacent sleep. Some of the world's most radical nations have condemned you. Some of your own countries have condemned you. You crossed all the lines. To quote the Miami Herald: "You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn."
To those responsible for vandalizing and calling in bomb threats to various Islamic communities:
Congratulations.
You're terrorists. Was that what you wanted? You are on absolutely the same level as the men who killed pilots and took over planes and flew them to New York and D.C. Like them, you have chosen to take your political outrage and direct it at innocent civilians -- exactly like the innocent civilians who tried to fly to Los Angeles and San Francisco Tuesday morning. Exactly like the innocent civilians who woke up and went to work Tuesday morning and never came home. Exactly. Innocent civilians. In trying to retaliate, you've become that which you seek to destroy. Your actions serve as a warning to the rest of us.
The images of planes crashing into US landmarks will stay with all of us forever. But for me, the image that comes to me most clearly came later that night. The Speaker of the House stood on the steps of the Capitol building and gave a statement, followed by the two partisan leaders. The three men were surrounded by various members of Congress. After the speaking was over and the speakers began to walk away, someone in the crowd began to sing "God Bless America". It spread through the crowd almost immediately, ending in a loud, triumphant chorus. I sat in front of my television in tears, moved by such a spontaneous outpouring.
I don't know what may come in the future. I know our country will never be the same again, but I know, I have absolute faith, that we will all be stronger for what has happened.
Posted by Lisa at September 13, 2001 01:27 PM
