On the morning of September 11th, 2001 I specifically remember sitting in 6th grade algebra class when our principal interrupted our class with urgent news. As I noticed the waterfall of tears streaming down her face as she explained that the World Trade Center had been hit by two large airplanes and that our government suspected it of being a terrorist attack. Initially I was somewhat confused because I didn’t know what the trade center was. We soon turned on the news in class and I recognized the two buildings that had been hit at became speechless. Seeing how devastating the attacks were the classroom went dead silent once we soon heard about reports of the other attacks that day. Some students at our school had family members in New York that day and were given the immediate opportunity to call and find out the status of that member’s whereabouts. Teachers ceased to teach that day as we all just watched the horrific aftermath on the news. At the end of the day we were called into an emergency prayer ceremony held in the gymnasium. I have never seen so many people crying all at the same time.
The Media and politicians both use the memory of 9/11 to unite our citizens. For the most part 9/11 is not a controversial event that took place in our nation’s history and the media uses this horrifying fascination to draw in viewers and inform us on note-worthy journalism whether it may be an uplifting story or a disheartening story. Politicians are well aware that the respected remembrance of those who perished is just as important as the public gratitude we owe to those who served that day and risked their lives to save complete strangers, yet fellow American citizens. The media, government and many other types of institutions in our country use the memory of 9/11 as way to unite our nations people, to promote a sense of Americanism never seen before, and clearly label our nations enemies whom we are promised will be brought to justice – American justice.
