Everything After - A 9.11 Youth Circle - how you feel about 9/11 attacks

How do I feel... hmm..

Well, in the beginning, I was terrified, filled with grief, overwhelmed.. I was angry.. I wanted to lash out at those who had perpetrated this un-godly crime- I wanted revenge.
I was amazed and grateful for the way that, even for a small period of time, it pulled our country together. I was so proud to watch the members of our government stand at a memorial service all together and sing "God Bless America" on air, impromptu.

I have since had alot of time to think about what happened and how I feel. Right now, I wish that we weren't at war. I wish that the world were a better more wholesome place (yeah, I know.. that's not going to happen anytime soon.. just not human nature..). I'm angry at those who exploit the tragedy. I see pictures of the massive destruction, and I cringe... I still cry at night sometimes- it's hard to feel safe anymore.
I mourn for those lost. I mourn for those left behind. I mourn for those who will forever feel guilty because they made it out, and their friend/coworker/some other person in the building didn't make it. I wish I could wake up and realize that it had never happened.
I am saddened that those lost at the Pentagon and those killed in the Flight 94 (I think it was 94 that crashed in the rural are) aren't more remembered.

I am deeply saddened.. But I have realized that life must go on- and if we want to avoid things like this in the future, we've got to be the ones to make the change..

How do I feel after 9/11?? Proud to be American. Sad that so many people- worldwide- had to lose so much.. Empowered, knowing that I CAN make a difference in the future... And always in a state of rememberence.......

I was in disbelief of this crude act that Osama did to our country. who could stoop any lower than him to catch us while we are not looking. he's one who does things behind other peoples backs. And i also feel sorry for some of the people who live in his country. because of little things they did he would have them killed during half time during a soccer game. I'am also saddened because of all the children without parents now or with one parent that did'nt work at the world trade centers.

I was greatly saddened by the tragedy and was in shock when schoolmates were elated to leave school because San Francisco was put on high alert. I kept thinking, children will have to go to sleep without parents tonight, husbands and wives without one another, and parents without children. People die from disease, accidents, unpreventable situations each day, but to die because of someone who wants to instill fear, that is grossly sick.

Immediately after, I was thinking, will there be a war? Will my classmates be drafted? Will I be able to see them at our class reunion? The economy and public reaction were indicators as to what would happen next, and for awhile, I thought that citizens were going to let the terrorists win by living in fear.

We had a teach-in at school after 9-11 and that helped a lot. There were a dozen workshops put on, and attending one about civil liberties and about U.S. defense was educational. At first, I thought, "Well, shouldn't their be war? We have to protect ourselves, too." Then, I thought, "Who is our enemy? Can you stop terrorists if they will die for their cause, under the belief that they will go to heaven for their deeds?" I realized that people of color were suffering and were scapegoats after 9-11 and I thought that that was tragic.

Our student government was distributing American flags "Made in Taiwan" after a Peace Rally, and when I asked a friend, who I've known to be active in politics what she thought, she responded with, "I don't have to prove my patriotism." I thought over what she said for days, and she's right. I'm happy to be an American, but now all of a sudden everybody's patriotic? No. I've been patriotic my whole life, and being an American is what I still am. What I am concerned about is U.S. reaction and infringement upon civil liberties. Taking away basic rights of Americans is not a solution; By doing so, you are taking away everything that America stands for. I don't want to see that happen.

Well what happened to America was very sad on that day in September, but this is what is going on in the world today. This was a build up of what had been going on for 20 years between America and the Middle East. I hear some people say "it wasn't right for them to attack us like that". They are partially right but they have to understand that America has done its fair share of dirty deeds... But it did not mean that these people could come to our soil and kill innocent people. I guess for me to finally understand this I need some more time to think... but that's what I have to say.

I was really sad because it was a terrible event that happend and, I was thankful that our school didn't show it until a couple of weeks later. Since at my Associates meeting all of the Schools watched CNN 24-7 and my friends couldn't express their feelings. How I herd about was really weird because my grand pa was supposed to come back home and he said I cant come home because we've been attacked and I was in total melt down I was devasted. But the good thing that came out of September 11 2001 was that My cousin was born she is a really cute baby and I am blessed to have a good ending to the story.

9/11 was something that was very devastating. I personally did not lose anyone during that time. Many things have changed in my mind and in this country. I never used to stand up for the pledge and before it didn't really matter. But all of a sudden, everyone has to stand. I don't want to stand up but I am forced to stand up because everyone thinks that by not standing, I am not being "patriotic" but that's not it. I don't stand up because not everyone believes in God and I feel that by standing up I am not honoring the fact that America is diverse.

@a.j.

Personally, I haven't experienced anyone forcing me to stand up to say the pledge- it still isn't said daily in school like it used to be.

I would like to suggest that instead of feeling like you're not honoring the diversity of the US by saying the "Under God" part, Emit it. Have you ever listened to Red Skelton's "Pledge of Alliegence"? If not, you should. When the pledge was first formed, the words "under God" were not a part of it. It wasn't until the 70's, I believe, that that phrase became a part of it. If that phrase bothers you, use the original version- No mention of God whatsoever. If that doesn't change your perspective even a slight bit, then I'm really not sure what to suggest, other then just standing your ground and not standing. It's your right as an American to not stand. Show patriotism in other aspects, if you desire.

:) Nice to see an alternative view!

-S.

They wanted to do a daily pledge in two of my classes but so few of the students were willing that the teachers gave it up. Plus they learned that the Supreme Court ruled that students can't be forced to stand up to salute the flag. As for how I personally reacted, nothing about the attacks could change my view of America in any way. Sure I felt unhappy when I heard about the lives of people who had died, but it's not like my feelings on that day had any effect on my patriotism or anything.