Yahoo! is asking Americans how September 11 changed them. Below is an account from a reader.
Written by my 15–year-old son:
9/11. A day that lives in infamy. A rally point for die-hard Americans and conspiracy theorists alike. A day that represents the day that America lost its innocence. The first true foreign attack on modern American soil. I am no patriot. Most of you know this. But I too feel the sadness of this day. Not only for those that have died, who deserve the utmost respect, but also for what the day has been twisted into. A sick shadow of what it was. A day that was meant to be a solemn day of regret, that has been mutated into an excuse for hatred and anger. A day meant to honor the fallen, but used to hate the ones we hold responsible. A day meant to reflect on the shock of the American world changing forever, but used to spread fear and conspiracy.
So, wake up America. I say unto you, grieve! Regret! Reflect! But if you choose to recognize this day, then do so for what the day is meant. For those of you who have used this as a rally point for hatred, anger, and suspicion, think. Who is the worse? The Islamic zealot and untrustworthy government? Or the misguided patriot? This is my contribution to the day. A cry to restore the intention and purity of the day. Hopefully someone will heed it.