Remembering 9/11 in art, prose and poetry
Preface:
Perspective
America Responds
For nearly eight years, my uncle worked as one of the primary heavy equipment operators during the construction of the World Trade Center. One morning, a cousin left for work, and at the same time, a friend boarded her plane to return home from summer vacation. The office was in the World Trade Center, and the plane, was America Airlines Flight#11. The day was Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Two people I knew came together that tragic morning in a transformational moment in our nation's history. Several other cousins, one a financial executive, two firemen and one police officer, were also directly involved in this profoundly tragic moment in the history of the world.
Chapter I:
Religion
The world’s oldest basis for murder, rape, genocide and nation building
Isaac and Ishmael: Sibling Rivalry
Is there one God for each religion, or is the one God for all? Suffice it to say that even a cursory listing of all of the atrocities, wars, genocides, and crimes committed in the name of the one God would fill the legendary library of Alexandria! The major monotheistic religions in the world are all committed to a belief in one God, but are all prepared to commit the most outrageous acts against humankind over the smallest differences in traditions, symbols, seminal figures or even verbiage. One of countless examples is the differing perceptions of two scriptural figures as described in the Qur’an, Torah and Bible is that of Isaac and Ishmael. Jews, Christians and Muslims believe Ishmael is Abraham’s eldest son and first born. Ishmael is born of Sarah’s handmaiden Hagar. Islamic traditions consider Ishmael as the ancestor of northern Arab people. Judaism maintains that Isaac (the father of the Jewish people) rather than Ishmael was the true heir of Abraham. I cite this as one of countless examples of how minor differences, varying interpretations, oral and written traditions regarding religion have often served as the basis for mistrust, hatred and often murder. Religion was one of the factors that lead to the unspeakable horrors of 9/11.
Chapter II:
Americanism
The greatest injustice in the world
The Whore of Babylon
September 11, 2001 was the most significant events in the history of the United States. This event provoked immediate and sustained impacts on all elements of our Republic from the economy to the military that continue to this very day. Yet as a nation, we continue to avoid an open exploration regarding the underlying causes of this horrific event. Can a nation that is the embodiment of materialism, personal gratification, and the external, extricate itself from the impacts its' disproportionate conspicuous consumption on world events?For a moment image you are only exposed to our society through electronic and print media. What view of our great nation would you have while living in a refugee camp, or fleeing your home to avoid being murdered, or seeing our pets receive better food than your own children! With great power, comes even greater responsibility! Whether your citation is from Blanc, Marx's or the Acts of the Apostles, is it not in our national interests to exemplify the phrase: From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.
Chapter III:
September 11, 2001
Reflection in art and poetry
Cell from the September 11, 2001 Commemorative Poster
Chapter IV:
Remembrance
No peace without justice
IX XI MMI
The events of September 11, 2001 epitomize both the depths of horror, and the heights of heroism. Never forget what horror was experienced on board the four airplanes, never forget what unspeakable fear caused our brothers and sisters to chose hurling themselves to certain death instead of being consumed by smoke and fire, never forget the faces of those heroes who rushed into towers of certain death in order to save the lives of others, and least of all, never forget the cowards who felt that they had a God given right to spill the blood of the innocent. These events are still not fully atoned for, and until that atonement is fulfilled, the blood of the innocents will continue to cry out from the earth for justice. Chapter V:
Aftermath
The day the world changed – forever!
Cell from the September 11, 2001 Commemorative Poster
The greatness of a Republic is not defined by the standard of living of its citizens, but by the degree of concern and compassion for all humankind. The greatness of a Republic is not defined by the technological and military superiority of its people, but on the extent of charity for all. The greatness of a Republic is not defined by its rhetoric, but by its deeds.
As long as we as Americans see ourselves as blessed by God to have a standard of living that is the envy of the world while we consume a disprotionate amount of our planets natural resources than we continue to invite criticism, destain and as evidenced on 9/11 even far worse.
The greatness of our Republic has been gloriously demonstrated on many occasions, not the least of which was the countless acts of heroism demonstrated on September 11, 2001, but I pray that we all heed the prophetic words of George Santayana: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
