Where Were You?
Four years ago, on 11th September 2001 to be exact, world once again was shocked and surprised by a man-made tragedy. Two planes hit the World Trade Center (WTC) at the downtown Manhattan. A deliberate attack on America's soil that is considered as a superpower country.
Where were you that day? Do you still remember how that day was like? Of course, I won't ask such questions to the victim's families or whose relatives were unfortunate enough to be the victim of the attack. But for those who saw or heard the news about the attack, do you still remember how you then spend that day? Do you still remember what your reaction was when heard or watched the news? Did you hope for something? Did you pray? Or did you wish something about it?
I do. Soon after the North Tower was hit, I heard about it from a friend who got a phone call from his family. Me and my friends were still awake and playing Counter-Strike in an Internet cafe. It was about 10 or 11 p.m. (FYI: I live in Australia). Soon afterwards, I went home, and watching the news while chatting on the net with my friends. As I lived in a studio apartment that day, the room was designed that I could get the PC just next to my bed and TV facing towards me.
I was there when the towers started to collapse, bury everything and everyone underneath it. I could not believe what I saw, for couple minutes I wish that it was just a bad dream. But it wasn't. After couple minutes, there were no more WTC. The sky of Manhattan was missing something, missing an icon that once represented one of America's pride.
I'm not going to discuss who is guilty or how that such tragedy could take place in America's own yard. I just want to show how sorry I am for those who lost their loved ones from the attacks. Thousands perished, most of them didn't leave any last message to their families and relatives. For their families, it's even hard to accept that the person they love so much was gone... without any single trace. All that prove they had gone is that they never went home. Everything that was left behind was buried under the ruins and debris from the buildings. Even at funeral and commerations, they never be able to find their bodies. Only those two straight beams to the sky where Freedom Towers are gonna be built that show the strength of the people would never die as long as they still breathe.
Any attack on civillians are meant to be condemned. Indeed, sometimes it is an inevitable act that planned to terrorize public. To spread and create anger, shock and tears among the society. However, a deliberate attack on civillians are an act of cowardice.
The September 11 was a tragic day that will be remembered for generations. It was a day that shocked and changed the whole world. Maybe, in the future, when we look back, we might ask ourselves if mankind is meant to continue living and explore the universe. Or will our race survive the devastating resulf of war among ourselves?
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
"This little writing is to tribute all families and relatives that lost their loved ones in the September 11 attack, 2001. May we learn and stop the wars before it's too late"
Hamlet wrote this at 7:25:00 PM
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As US Citizen born and raised in the USA, as a lifelong resident in New York State, a person who has spent time inside the World Trade Center, a friend to friends who lost loved ones that day, a spectator to the disaster, and an imprompto counselor to children who were yet to discover that they may never see their father, mother, grandparent, aunt, uncle. or cousin again. I was able to see the world that day, and each one that has come since, through many eyes.
As an open minded individual, tolerant of many belief systems, and accepting of diversity in all its forms, I approach this subject with many viewpoints. I will do my best to focus these viewpoints into concise perception. I write these words out of respect for everyone affected by this tragedy. As I state them, I feel these words with all my heart.
Fear is what caused 9/11. Fear of the unknown. Fear of change. Fear of fear itself. It was the fear found in the members of Al'Queda, who chose to accept only one viewpoint of the world. It was the fear found in the Islamists who celebrated Al'Queda's actions. It was the fear found in some of the world's leaders for not trying to understand each others' cultures. It was the fear in many of us, who live each day in our short lives ignorant of the consequences of living together on this planet. It is the fear in the faithless who are too afraid to accept that a greater power has faith in us. Ultimately it will be this fear that will keep most of us from accepting the fences who separate us from our neighbors instead of tearing those fences down to embrace them as family.
According to science, humanity began 200,000 years ago, that each of us descends from the same ancestors, that those ancestors began humanity in the heart of Africa. Biologically there is no biological differences between us based on skin color, geographic location, and physical distinction.
The Koran accepts the Judaean Old Testament as history, as does christanity, and so those who believe in it by strict interpretation, also believe that humanity began only 6,000 years ago. They also believe that the only people on this planet worthy of a God descend from the sons of Abraham. Yet who among us, can trace that lineage? Does faith alone suffice? Is the heathen cast out of the tribe also not worthy?
It does not matter which viewpoint is correct. It is however that unknown that separates humanity into religions, race, and nations. It is this unknown we fear which could bring us together. Yet why do we fear it, and when will we learn?
"The only thing we have to fear.... is fear itself" Franklin Delanor Roosevelt
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