This is a big weekend. Lots of people remembering 9/11 with a solemnity and fervor that I simply can’t muster any more. I won’t ever forget it, but I can’t dwell on it. The lessons that we as a nation have taken from it weren’t the right ones.
Instead of coming together, recognizing extremism (which we did for a far too brief period of time), we’ve punished anyone who is Muslim or might look like they’re Muslim – ignoring the truths about a religion that is peaceful. Just being shepherded world-wide by extremists and fear. (I’m mostly talking about our media and political agendas, not Islam. While extremists do shape public perception of what Islam is, I personally fault the media for its part.)
We’ve invaded countries, killed innocent people – and set up a hostile climate around the world where innocent people have been killed because of how we reacted.
I will never forget what happened. But at the same time, I will not leave that moment in a bubble and act as though everything we as a nation have done since then has been honorable.
I love our country. I want to comfort all those who lost someone in 9/11. But I want to stop other people from losing family members because of the climate of hate that’s been breeding since that attack.
(I appreciate those who serve our country, for making that difficult decision to put their lives at risk to hopefully make the world a better place, and defend what we stand for as a nation. I support the veterans who’ve returned. I don’t support the people who use veterans and those serving to change the subject for what’s going on in the world)