How We Never had the Chance to Change

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11; another terrible day of infamy in the history of America. Rightfully so, escape from the media coverage on the anniversary yesterday and the days leading up to it was  impossible.  Though welcomed and loved, such coverage was not necessary for remembering. Nobody who was old enough to remember the actual attacks will never be able to forget the events of that day.  We will never forget the courage of the NYFD, NYPD, and New York Port Authority first responders. Nor can we challenge the courage and honor of those aboard Flight 93 who took matters into the own hands on a field in Pennsylvania.  Those who gave their lives that day, the soldiers fighting for vindication overseas, and those who suffer from illness received on  "The Pile" in the weeks after will forever be marked as the most courageous heroes America has ever seen.

In addition to the memories honored, this year we heavily reflected on ourselves in the aftermath and how we have coped as individuals and as a nation.  The common headline this last week has been "How We've Changed".  The stories have been remarkable, without a doubt.  Across the news lines we've streamed biographies and testimonies of people ranging from survivors to family members, servicemen and women to politicians.  As a nation change has been visible.  Security boosts and airports and high production numbers of American Flag t-shirts and bumper stickers. We're in a rare time when military numbers are not lacking.  As a nation, we have changed in a way that will never go back.

But for a portion of Americans, there wasn't any "change".  For my generation (those who've just started college and younger) there wasn't anything to change from.  We were too young to remember much of the way of life before 9/11. For myself, and most my age, the attacks on the World Trade Centers is the first vivid memory we have as children. It was the first "where were you" moment for us, much like the assassination of JFK for my grandparents or the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger for our parents.

On this 10th anniversary, no one asked us what life has been like for us. Everyone has focused on how Americans have changed, but didn't think of those who have known no different.

Department of Homeland Security
Threat Level Chart

Our childhood has been one of war and terror threat levels. We have grown up with the Department of Homeland Security taking the forefront rather than the FBI or the CIA. The first president we remember was defined by 9/11 and however historic the election of Barack Obama was, it was ultimately a question of how he would fix the long-lasting effects of a single day.  Oil prices have never "dropped" since we've been behind the wheel and we've had to learn to adjust to constantly paying more.

Our contemporary world issues have revolved around a fairly shrouded terrorist organization rather than a proud foreign nation. There has never been a clear target for us save for one, and we killed him - yet the problem still persists. Terror is an enemy too broad to fathom.

9/11 changed the way we and our children will fight wars. I would go as far to say that there will never again be a true "war" in which it is army against army.  Instead we will continue to fight shadows, chasing leads and hopes.  Because of the bold decisions of one extremist groups we have seen and will continue to deal with others flexing their muscles as well. Already in my lifetime I have been alive for more terrorist attacks than my parents 30 years before 9/11 and that number will continue to grow as we see the emergence of the "lone wolf".

Mumbai Terror Attack - 2008

In more ways than one, that makes us more capable of dealing with this new threat. We have never known a life in which we didn't have to take our shoes off and subject ourselves to "thorough" screenings before getting on a plan. We've never not had to worry about our governments decisions affect on how much we can drive next week.  Every week growing up we've heard the numbers of our soldiers who have died overseas.  We have little hope for a peaceful future because we've never experienced peace - but on the other hand we have more riding on the emergence of tolerance simply because we've never known it.

I'm torn because I am hopeful because I know that we are more capable than any other generation of bringing peace.  But I am saddened at the reason why..

So ask me now, how has 9/11 affected me?

I have not changed, I had nothing to change from. But I pray for change so that my children are not forced to grow up in the same world that I did. I hope for peace so that I may truly know what it is.  I desire that growing up with violence will help us to bring tolerance. I beg God that our experience in terror does not bring about worse things in the world. I hope to bring change that will affect others. That is what 9/11 has done for me.