my hope for america: that the compassion and solidarity that prevailed in the wake of this tragedy returns. that instead of arguing about guns or climate change or economic equality, we remember that we are all in this together. that a person who disagrees with you is still a person. that the anger and stubbornness that permeate the airwaves no longer trickles down into the hearts and minds of americans who know better. who know that we live in the best country BECAUSE we can disagree. BECAUSE we can speak our mind without fear of imprisonment. BECAUSE we live in a democracy with people we elected to represent our best interest (even when we don’t choose that well).
my hope for america is that instead of just remembering the attack, we remember the aftermath. we remember people coming together, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, sexual preference, religion, or place on the political spectrum, and helping each other. there was no drug test to determine who should be rescued. there was no background check on someone who wanted to help. there was no refusal of aid because someone was lazy or someone was intolerant or someone wasn’t like you.
somehow we lost that in the past 13 years. now it’s democrat vs. republican; conservative vs. liberal; us vs. them. there is no place for that in the world we live in now. don’t just remember the attack. remember that men and women, gay and straight, black and white, all of us – all of us would deserve rescue. and all of us would rescue any of us. THAT is why we won. THAT is why we cannot be defeated. THAT is why when the world trade center came down, the view was the statue of liberty.
do something nice for a stranger today. read an article from a viewpoint with which you don’t agree. make your voice heard, because it can be heard. give what you can, think before you feel. hug someone you love. don’t just remember the attack. remember the dream.
The Snarkler 