my country, 'tis of thee
It's been a crazy emotional day, everything and everyone is heighten after hearing the news last night. And while I knew what some reactions would be I had hoped America would be given a moment for this, for something that's been ten years long in coming. But alas in the digital age everything is instant.
And carolinablu85 posted this kickass comment on FB that I agree with and really should adhere to but I need to say this for my own sanity and it get it out into the universe. But awesome quote is awesome and should be listened to, IMO:
"I refuse to spend today arguing with people who have different opinions. Today should be a day to remember peace, respect, what makes us different than those whose hate defines them. I'm taking today to honor lives lost, wounds carried, and small battles won. Why criticize others? I'd rather make it about something positive. What better way to prove that the hate some have will never take away what I have?"
Also, for the record, I get that everyone has opinions. And they have the right to them and to express them. I fully support that. But I have the right to say mine back and be frustrated in the process. And I hope this doesn't come across patronizing, because I swear on Jake's cock I honestly don't mean it to, but I'm beginning to think some of this is just the continental divide. I think being on that soil ten years ago and being American is just seeing this is a completely different POV. It cuts at us differently, in a way that I really can't explain in words.
And that's what last night and this morning was for me. It was about being American when people took to the streets to chant and to sing our national anthem. It wasn't about celebrating Osama's death (although I have yet to come across a single soul that is sorry that man is dead) but it was about celebrating being American. Being together to remember our citizens that were murdered, coming together to take a collective breath, to cry, to be proud. And I'm sorry if that offends, makes people uncomfortable. I don't know what people wanted us to do. Hear about the single most important news story for us and what? Sit at home, alone and with our hands folded?
That's not what we do. We are American and we always, no matter what, come out to be with one another during important moments for our country. We celebrate the victories, we mourn the losses. We protest together for our rights and we welcome our service members home. We hold vigils, we caucus in people's home to vote, we have this overwhelming urge to experience things as Americans together.
And my country did that last night. Whether it was waving the American flag in front of the White House, crying and singing the national anthem at Ground Zero, gathering in the predominately Middle-Eastern areas in Dearborn or having a group of friends across the country be together thru social media it was about BEING TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY FOR US.
And I won't apologize for that. My mom called and said she was in tears watching everyone at Ground Zero. Not only because of the emotional impact of the scene but because the scene was filled with every race, gender, religion and I'm sure sexual orientation. Women in veils, Orthodox Jews, college boys in baseball hats. ALL were together. Because as much as I get angry and sad and disappointed in my country it's MY COUNTRY and I will always be proud of it, to be American. For that image right there. No where else in the world can so many people come together like they did last night to celebrate something that has haunted this country for ten years. To always remember the people who died, to never forget that our lives and the lives of our children have forever been changed because of that September day.
It happened to us, on this soil and while the rest of the world mourned, they moved on as is natural. We didn't. And so last night wasn't about death and celebrating that - it was about life and rejoicing in it.
Not revenge, not even full blown justice. Because I and many others aren't stupid. We know this doesn't change anything, that's it's mostly symbolic. I would appreciate the courtesy of recognizing I am smart enough to understand all that. That we have terrorism still in this world and that it doesn't bring people back. I don't need to be told that, thanks.
I do, however, need to be able to look at other Americans and breathe together. Let us exhale. Because we get it. And none of that is something I will feel bad about or apologize for.
And carolinablu85 posted this kickass comment on FB that I agree with and really should adhere to but I need to say this for my own sanity and it get it out into the universe. But awesome quote is awesome and should be listened to, IMO:
"I refuse to spend today arguing with people who have different opinions. Today should be a day to remember peace, respect, what makes us different than those whose hate defines them. I'm taking today to honor lives lost, wounds carried, and small battles won. Why criticize others? I'd rather make it about something positive. What better way to prove that the hate some have will never take away what I have?"
Also, for the record, I get that everyone has opinions. And they have the right to them and to express them. I fully support that. But I have the right to say mine back and be frustrated in the process. And I hope this doesn't come across patronizing, because I swear on Jake's cock I honestly don't mean it to, but I'm beginning to think some of this is just the continental divide. I think being on that soil ten years ago and being American is just seeing this is a completely different POV. It cuts at us differently, in a way that I really can't explain in words.
And that's what last night and this morning was for me. It was about being American when people took to the streets to chant and to sing our national anthem. It wasn't about celebrating Osama's death (although I have yet to come across a single soul that is sorry that man is dead) but it was about celebrating being American. Being together to remember our citizens that were murdered, coming together to take a collective breath, to cry, to be proud. And I'm sorry if that offends, makes people uncomfortable. I don't know what people wanted us to do. Hear about the single most important news story for us and what? Sit at home, alone and with our hands folded?
That's not what we do. We are American and we always, no matter what, come out to be with one another during important moments for our country. We celebrate the victories, we mourn the losses. We protest together for our rights and we welcome our service members home. We hold vigils, we caucus in people's home to vote, we have this overwhelming urge to experience things as Americans together.
And my country did that last night. Whether it was waving the American flag in front of the White House, crying and singing the national anthem at Ground Zero, gathering in the predominately Middle-Eastern areas in Dearborn or having a group of friends across the country be together thru social media it was about BEING TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY FOR US.
And I won't apologize for that. My mom called and said she was in tears watching everyone at Ground Zero. Not only because of the emotional impact of the scene but because the scene was filled with every race, gender, religion and I'm sure sexual orientation. Women in veils, Orthodox Jews, college boys in baseball hats. ALL were together. Because as much as I get angry and sad and disappointed in my country it's MY COUNTRY and I will always be proud of it, to be American. For that image right there. No where else in the world can so many people come together like they did last night to celebrate something that has haunted this country for ten years. To always remember the people who died, to never forget that our lives and the lives of our children have forever been changed because of that September day.
It happened to us, on this soil and while the rest of the world mourned, they moved on as is natural. We didn't. And so last night wasn't about death and celebrating that - it was about life and rejoicing in it.
Not revenge, not even full blown justice. Because I and many others aren't stupid. We know this doesn't change anything, that's it's mostly symbolic. I would appreciate the courtesy of recognizing I am smart enough to understand all that. That we have terrorism still in this world and that it doesn't bring people back. I don't need to be told that, thanks.
I do, however, need to be able to look at other Americans and breathe together. Let us exhale. Because we get it. And none of that is something I will feel bad about or apologize for.