Thoughts on 9/11

With the passing of the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, there is a lot of talk about those events defining a new era in American history. When you compare public policy before and after, this of course is fundamentally true. 

When I think about where we are at as a society, I have to think that if Binladden could see us now he would be wearing that smug smile of his. He would see red vs. blue. He would see Americans at each other's throats ideologically. While in so many ways we have become more tolerant as a society, politically we have become volatile. Often times unable to find common ground with each other. We demonize the “other” side. When in fact there is no other side. Red, Blue, Left, Right, we’re all on the same team. The great experiment that is America is a precious dichotomy. One where one size doesn’t need to fit all. 

Some laws make sense in a hugely populated state like California and New York. Those same laws may not make as much sense in the rural midwest. Rather than leaning into the idea that, that is what makes our country so great, we vilify our neighbors. Dehumanizing them if their views don’t exactly match our own. 

The media gives voices to the people on the most extreme edges of the political spectrum be it left or right. When in fact most of us are somewhere in the middle even if we do lean one way or the other. America’s history is littered with mistakes. What we need to do is of course learn from those mistakes. 

What I think we can all come together about and hold our heads high about, is the ideals that America aspires to be. A place where all are welcome with open arms, a loving heart, and the undying need to improve. Not only for ourselves but for the generations we will leave behind. The stakes have never been higher, nor the need for love.