2008 Woodie Awards
Patriotism: A Response to Terrorism
Heidi Silverberg
Issue date: 9/13/01 Section: Op/Ed
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I have very few patriotic bones in my body. I don’t stand for The Star Spangled Banner during baseball games. I have never felt the inclination to “buy American" for the express purpose of bolstering our now-recessive economy. I am, in fact, embarrassed to live in a country that names George W. Bush as its leader.
On Sept. 11, at 8:22 a.m., however, with the voice of my sister in my ear, screaming, “The World Trade Center is gone!” I felt the first stirrings of American patriotism. The sight of people on TV, volunteering their time, safety and blood, has, indeed, inspired a certain love for my country.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks, I, along with the rest of the United States, am faced with many choices. I can wallow in the horrible events of this past week. I can feel justified in scapegoating those in our society who appear “un-American” in either appearance or behavior. I can demand retaliation for the thousands who were killed Tuesday morning. I have heard all of these reactions from those around me.
On the other hand, I have also been given a chance to accept this tragedy as a foundation on which to build a new society. I can stop pointing my finger in blame at those who may or may not be responsible for the attack. I can give blood over the next few weeks, which could potentially save a life.
I am not writing this to tell anyone how to react to this senseless event. Even living on the West Coast, the majority of us have still experienced what I have heard referred to as the two degrees of separation rule, meaning that almost everyone knows someone who knows someone hurt or killed by the attack. For some of us, the tragedy might be hitting a bit closer to home. But no matter how we choose to respond to this— in anger, acceptance, or disbelief— the truth is that we are all in mourning together, and collectively, we have the opportunity to set a new precedent for how Americans, no matter what our backgrounds, respond in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy.
On Sept. 11, at 8:22 a.m., however, with the voice of my sister in my ear, screaming, “The World Trade Center is gone!” I felt the first stirrings of American patriotism. The sight of people on TV, volunteering their time, safety and blood, has, indeed, inspired a certain love for my country.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks, I, along with the rest of the United States, am faced with many choices. I can wallow in the horrible events of this past week. I can feel justified in scapegoating those in our society who appear “un-American” in either appearance or behavior. I can demand retaliation for the thousands who were killed Tuesday morning. I have heard all of these reactions from those around me.
On the other hand, I have also been given a chance to accept this tragedy as a foundation on which to build a new society. I can stop pointing my finger in blame at those who may or may not be responsible for the attack. I can give blood over the next few weeks, which could potentially save a life.
I am not writing this to tell anyone how to react to this senseless event. Even living on the West Coast, the majority of us have still experienced what I have heard referred to as the two degrees of separation rule, meaning that almost everyone knows someone who knows someone hurt or killed by the attack. For some of us, the tragedy might be hitting a bit closer to home. But no matter how we choose to respond to this— in anger, acceptance, or disbelief— the truth is that we are all in mourning together, and collectively, we have the opportunity to set a new precedent for how Americans, no matter what our backgrounds, respond in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy.