Something about going to college has made me a very reflective person. Maybe being an English major has rubbed off on me a little more than I realized. This morning I sat in chapel, watching a slide show commemorating the tragedy of September 11. And it made me think about how much has happened in our country and to our lives this past year. Eleven months ago, emotions were running high and the future was uncertain. Patriotism was on the rise, and citizens were staying informed, demanding action from our leaders. I could have asked any person on the street, and I’m pretty sure they would have been able to tell me at least some of the actions our military was taking and how they felt about it. Evidence of this could be seen from news coverage, written responses, a dramatic increase in American flag displays, and even Blogger postings such as Gibbering and Symptom (which had the largest single post discussion I've ever seen). Traveling home for breaks, I began to see men with guns slung across their backs in airports; having spent a summer in Israel, it didn't affect me too much. My biggest inconveniences were the long lines through airport checkpoints and the denial of my trusty nail clippers on my flight.

However, the months dragged on and life soon returned to normal. The flags faded and the signs fell; America lulled itself into safety and security again. News of the war on terrorism (now being fought half a world away) soon dwindled from dozens of headlines to a story here and there when "newsworthy" events occurred. All this has made me wonder just how 9-11 has really affected our lives. I don't want to come across as the cynic; I know it has deeply impacted my life and has touched all of us in one way or another. But doesn't it seem as if the general public has treated this like just another fad? The O.J. Simpson trial, the big 2000 election issues, Survivor...they all captivated America's attention, but were soon forgotten by Americas, much like a young child tires of new toys after a month. I’m not sure if it’s the way we are as Americans to be uninterested in the non-sensational or if it’s merely because the media is not consumed by the subject anymore. Are we pushing thoughts of this tragedy far back into the passive files of our minds, or is it merely quiet contemplation that seizes the nation now? Your thoughts?


  posted by Erin @ 3:36 PM