something patriotic and wonderful on this day - this 10th anniversary of a day that rocked, not just America, but the entire world - but there is nothing I could possibly say that could convey the feeling of despair. On the contrary, I feel that this country has moved in the wrong direction after such a day of terror. So many people died that day, but for what? So our government can restrict our rights and commit acts of blatant racism against its own people? Is that why blood was shed in so excessive of amounts on that day and on everyday since in other countries far from ours? I guess I can dream of an United States of America that instead of living in terror, walks in bravery and strength, not military strength, but strength of spirit. Everyday that we change our lives, restrict our rights in the name of finding "threats" to our own security, and live in fear of those whose customs and cultures we do not understand, we let them win. We let those who sought to take our freedom and our lives from us win. Terrorism is an institution that can only survive when it has victims for who it can force to live in fear. If we no longer let our fears consume our lives - if we could live our lives with wide eyes and a joyful heart, for no day is guaranteed to us - than the bloodshed was not in vain. Our fallen brothers and sisters were not murdered without purpose if we could only allow ourselves to throw off the status as victims and rise to the greatness and bravery that I believe this country's heart demands of its people, for our own home's own survival. This is the closest to a patriotic pledge this anniversary that I can muster; let us not forget the fallen and let us not repeat the past.
And thank God for our servicemen and women!
No comments:
Post a Comment