September 11, 2001 is a date that will live in infamy, a single date that cuts to the core of human emotion. In its wake many things have changed, including airport security and the inception of The Department of Homeland Security. Although these two refined our national security, 9/11’s impact is better portrayed through words like terrorist, hijacker, ground zero and the way they make us feel.
It is easy to understand why this topic is so sensitive under any public forum. Beyond the unimaginable horror thousands of people and families felt who were directly effected, every American was tied to those towers. Everyone that said, published or produced something about the day took extra precaution not to say something that may offend the American public. Television shows that depicted the twin towers, post 9/11, did not want to air shots of the phantom structures. Documentaries and movies followed a couple years latter, none of which passed the threshold to offend anyone.
It has been 7 years since the towers fell and the words still send the same chilling image to my brain. Words that breed fear, shock, anger, bewilderment and sorrow. Fortunately, there are other words that are tied to the memory of the fallen buildings. Hope, perseverance, unity and patriotism speak to the other side of the 9/11 spectrum. Today, we look to these words to inspire, to find light in the dark. We will never forget, or change how we feel about that dreadful day in September. I will never forget how it changed the world.
“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001
Stretching far outside the classroom walls, our collected ideas come together to stimulate more than the mind.
Contributors
About Me
I am a 22 year old senior at UW-Madison majoring on political science. My interests include but are not limited to football, basketball, lacrosse, poker, cooking, and travelling. I have been living in Madison, WI since 2001 and enjoy living here quite a bit. I believe I have a lot to contribute to the I.D.E.A. blog
dleathers
dleathers
for your curiousity
I am a senior majoring in French and African Languages & Literature. I recently got back from Senegal (West Africa) where I lived for 9 months and I can't manage to keep it out of my everyday conversations...
I didn't used to be patriotic (yeah I was that kid that didn't stand up for the pledge of allegiance in high school) but now I'm hoping the USA will turn things around in a more progressively positive way.
I think spiders are good luck.
annie
I didn't used to be patriotic (yeah I was that kid that didn't stand up for the pledge of allegiance in high school) but now I'm hoping the USA will turn things around in a more progressively positive way.
I think spiders are good luck.
annie
My Story
I am not like many girls. I love to watch sports (especially the Cubs) and I've played hockey and softball since I can remember. Growing up I was your typical tomboy wearing baseball hats and baggy clothes and always hanging out with the boys. Although, thanks to my mom, I became a girly girl on the outside as I got older. It is things like these from my past that my family, friends and basic life experiences have taught me that will contribute to my writings in the I.D.E.A. cohort.
Emily
Emily
Thats Me..??
Born in a small town in Minnesota, along the Mississippi River, I am a product of my environment. A hockey player since I can remember, comfortable in sub-zero temperatures, and conviction that the Amazon has nothing on the murky Mississippi, are only a few things that defined me while growing up in “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.” I am now a college student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, soaking up everything my small town never offered me. With a newly found interest in economics and philosophy, I have learned to think about the big picture and break free of accepting things for the way they are. I have learned to ask questions, even if answers have been given, to quench my thirst of, what I like to call, “equitable truths.” It is this, balance of argument, which drives me to bring fair opinions to my cohort, I.D.E.A..
- Curtis E. Bear
The courtesy bear
- Curtis E. Bear
The courtesy bear
1 comment:
I agree that September 11th was probably one of the most influential things to happen to the U.S.A. in the past 50 years. Many of us have felt the effects in increased security measures taken not just at the airport but at stadiums or music venues as well. Suddenly sports cliches emphasizing military terms became socially unacceptable, at least for a time.
The shock from the incident spread across our nation like a wildfire. People in far away places such as Alaska and Idaho felt the effects of the horrible attacks just as much as those in New York or Washington did. I remember seeing images on the fateful day of Americans everywhere mourning the loss of one of our major buildings at the hand of terrorists and ultimately, our somewhat exaggerated sense of security. I don't feel that Americans take this matter lightly or view it as granted anymore.
The attacks did unite our country in a way that only a terrible event like 9/11 could. For a time at least, the focus on other things became secondary and many peoples primary focus became on our nation, and what the attacks meant for the American people.
I'll certainly never forgot that fateful day, nor will I forgot the reactions of some of my peers and teachers upon learning the news. As a country we would be well advised to learn from the attacks to ensure that something of that magnitude never will happen on our soil again.
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