It’s hard to reflect on 9/11. Not because there is not a lot to say about it, but because it is still one of those moments that is stuck in my head as if it happened today or yesterday. I still remember the look of my Pre-Calc professor when a student came in to tell him the news that seconds later he told us. I still remember the prayer vigil that night. I remember the next spring being in New York City at ground zero and it being silent in a city that does not know how to be silent.
Everything is in an era of post 9/11. There is no going back. The effects from that day are obvious. War for one. In Afghanistan, and in Iraq. Homeland security was boosted, making it one of the top priorities of the government. And of course it has created longer lines at airports. I didn’t fly for a couple years after 9/11. Not because I was afraid, but because I didn’t have any reason to. Therefore, I didn’t notice much of the changes in airports. I did however notice one change - the surge in racism against people of Middle East descent as well as those of Muslim faith. On my college campus I could feel the effects.
Seven years later there is still a huge “get them out” mentality. More stereotypes have been created and discrimination has gotten worse. Tolerance and love need to be expressed on days like this. In a country that idealized freedom more than any other place it doesn’t always allow it for everyone living there.
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