HHSLT remembered the events of 9/11 during the school's commitment ceremony. Being only periphery affected by the days events, I have never (or not recently) given much thought to the day until a few experiences I had this year.
A colleague of mine encourages his students to interview people to gain their perspective on the events and gauge the magnitude of the impact that 9/11 had on their lives. When I began the interview, I wasn't really sure how 9/11 affected me, but after sitting down and thinking about it; I began to develop some perspective on the influence of 9/11 in my life.
Hopefully my the students learned as much from my responses as I did.
1) How did 9/11 change your view in society?
This happened at a time when I was still crafting my political/social identity. In the aftermath of 9/11, the 24 hour news cycle and constant presentation of political fear tactics had to have a significant effect on me, but I am not sure I can put into words. Living during the "war on terror" has probably made me numb in a way; like I don't feel strongly about it because it's normal. Sometime, then, I feel guilty because people are fighting so that I can feel the way I do, and sometimes I think even THAT is just propaganda. I guess It made suspicious of anyone with agenda because I saw what people with an agenda are capable of.
2) How was your life affected by 9/11?
My life was not significantly affected, or directly anyway. I sort of hate flying now, but that's because I don't have patience for airport security. On that day I was afraid, but far from traumatized. Maybe it changed me, speaking for the people only marginally involved, in ways that I am unaware. I am a firm believer that we're the sum totality of every experience up until this moment, and 9/11 was a significant event; even if I can identify specifically how.
3) What is your opinion or definition of terrorism before and after 9/11?
Before 9/11, I only knew of the terrorists that hijacked planes and then got karate kicked by Chuck Norris in the movies. The word terrorist was also used during the OKC bombing, and I remember the media saying that he was a "domestic terrorist" to distinguish the fringe lunatics in our country from the ones we see in the movies. I guess I sort of think, now, that terrorists are these dudes that sit in caves all day waiting to blow stuff up. I know in my mind that is wrong, that there is probably a grey area between people that support so called terrorist, and people that that actually carry out acts of terror. I also know that they are also not all in rural places, and much more technologically capable then we give them credit for, as they use the internet to share information and what have you. It's like the media gives us a mixed message. They want us to believe that we have an opponent that is able to be beat, but every now and then reminds us that it difficult and time consuming and dangerous to do so.
4)Would you have done something if you were in one of the planes that were hijacked?
At the time, no. I probably would have put my head down and cried. Me now however, not just in retrospect, but as an older and wiser person, a little more cynical; I'd like to think I would be so bold. Then again, maybe that cynicism was bread in the post-9/11 environment. Who knows what we would all be like had it not happened?
