It’s been 15 years. I no longer want to know where you were
on 9/11. Now, I only want to know where you’ve been since then. Who have you
become?
It’s not that I don’t remember. Of course I do. And I
certainly don’t want anyone to forget. We must not forget the deadened souls of terrorists who
hijacked airplanes and used them to kill thousands. We must not forget the love
and devotion expressed in last messages left for family and loved ones. We must
not forget the bravery of those on Flight 93 who stood up to face evil head on,
and lost their own lives to save so many others. We must not forget the heroism
of the first responders and all those who volunteered to help in whatever way
they could. We must not forget the fear, and shock and trauma of the survivors
and witnesses. And we must not forget that across this country and around the
world, strangers reached out to help one another, or just to check in. We must
not forget any of it.
But we have a bigger obligation. We must do more than simply
relegate it to a memory. I think we owe it to all those we lost on that day to
live, on this day, as though it mattered. As though it still matters.
So, who have you become? Has your anger and rage and
resentment left you a deadened soul willing to hurt others for your own revenge, or
have you allowed your heartbreak to open your heart? Do you take time to tell
your family and friends that they are important to you, or are you waiting for
a special occasion? Have you been brave enough to face down evil – whether in
the form of schoolyard bullying or hate-based oppression, or have you shut down
to everyday injustices? Are you a hero –
willing to help out, reach out, comfort and aid your fellow human beings in any
way you can? Do you recognize – or at least allow for – the fear, shock, trauma
and misfortune of the people you meet, or are you so wrapped up in your own
problems that you judge others harshly? Who have you become?
And who have we become, as a nation?
On 9/11, New Yorkers fleeing Manhattan were seen walking across
the George Washington Bridge like refugees and our hearts went out to them. Do our
hearts still go out to refugees?
On 9/11, police and firefighters lived up to and beyond
their call to protect and serve. Can we both honor those who still do, and
expect accountability from those who don’t?
On 9/11, no one asked if those in need were citizen or
immigrant, rich or poor, Christian, Jewish or Muslim. No one asked about racial
or gender identity. Are we still willing to help beyond boundaries?
On 9/11, we held each other in grief and pain even as we
looked for the best in our nation and its leaders. Why have we come to expect
the worst instead?
On 9/11, thousands of people died because they simply showed
up for work. Do we still honor those who show up and work? Do we recognize
their contributions, even if their jobs aren’t flashy or “important”?
On and after 9/11, we turned to friends and strangers alike,
looked them in the eye and asked “Are you okay?” Do we still offer a hand, and
a shoulder to strangers?
On this 15th anniversary, I want to do more than
remember the dead. I want to know if we – as individuals and as a nation – have
become worthy of their legacy.
