Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of the attack of September 11th and today is the anniversary of September 12, 2001. We paid tribute to all those that died yesterday and relived the horrific events that occurred but have you thought about September 12th?
September 11, 2001 was a day that all Americans were gut punched, trying to gather our senses, mourning massive losses and shaking our heads in disbelief. September 12th was the day we stopped being about self and we pulled together as one. We were not white, black, Hispanic or Catholic or Hindu, we were Americans... red, white and blue to the core no matter our race or background. We looked at all firefighters and police officer as heroes and thanked them for their service. Do you remember that American flags were everywhere following the attack? We were glad to be Americans and stood by our fellow citizens, hugging and crying with each other as we grieved even though most of us didn't lose someone we personally knew. We grieved for our fellow citizens and the pain they were experiencing.
We swore we would never forget and "Let's roll!" became a motto for many. Fifteen years later I look around and realize that September 11th is still paid tribute but that is all that remains. The kindness and caring that we showed to strangers just because they were humans and had feelings is gone. Fifteen years later police are looked at as criminals and are hated, everyone is more divisive than ever. Football players even refuse to stand for the National Anthem now. People have allowed themselves to become more partisan as the leadership has led us in that direction.
There are no national figures in America calling for civility just attack of anyone not them. Do you know what you need to have civilization? Civility. We need a call of civility now more than ever. If someone disagrees with your opinion, it's ok. Disagreement is American and the right to disagree is granted in the 1st Amendment. We need to stop trying to shout each other down and just listen for a change.
We need to remember September 12th, 2001 and start respecting each other just because we're humans and Americans. If we continue to attack and divide ourselves then the terrorists won on September 11th. Please live September 12th and remember September 11th.