9/11 Reflections and Challenges
It’s hard to believe that ten years have gone by since I sat with my family, watching the terror unfold in New York City - watching in fear and confusion as the second plane hit the north tower, eventually seeing both towers tragically crumble to the ground; numbers of lives lost, multiple families ripped apart. I remember the feeling of unity and pride I shared for my country, gathered and banded together with my schoolmates, peers, friends, family, and communities. I am challenged and determined to view all American citizens as equal, as true Americans despite beautiful, valuable differences in dress, language, country of origin, skin color or lifestyle. Who am I, who are we to determine who is and is not a ‘threat’ to America based on the stigmas we have attached to different ethnic groups? It is OUR America, not ‘ours’. It is not ‘us’ and ‘them’. It is not ‘those’ Muslims and ‘us’ Christians. Americans are Americans; we are ONE America. We’ve all been immigrants, our roots having been planted upon arrival to this country at one point or another. I choose to value and appreciate diversity. I choose to respect and honor my fellow man, my fellow brothers and sisters, my fellow American. I will never forget what happened on that September morning in 2001, nor will I forget that I have a responsibility to love others, treating them as I wish to be treated, supporting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am proud to be an American.
(Source: facebook.com)
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matthewmoroni posted this
