I've said it before, I'll say it again.
Most of you know I'm a New Yorker. Born, bred and raised in this city, it is more than just a part of who I am. Anyone who has ever truly thought of themselves as a New Yorker knows what I'm talking about. You can't put words too it except to say you feel it everywhere - heart, mind and soul.
Obviously, I have a lot of feelings about this day, and I've shared them before. Here they are again: All of the news specials and TV movies, the Facebook and Twitter posts of "Never forget," the fucking t-shirts with 9/11 printed as the Twin Towers really piss me off. Not because they aren't true or genuine but because I honestly believe we are going about this all wrong. It feels militaristic and inflammatory - as though it doesn't just mean "remember those we lost", but instead, "remember what THEY did to US." It's not what we need now. What happened that day was devastating and incomprehensible. It changed what it means to be a New Yorker and what it means to be American. It will go in history textbooks along side the other monumental tragedies that have struck this world. No one is going to forget, not ever. We need to start thinking about moving forward.
Maybe I'm overly sensitive - fine - but instead of "never forget", we should remind ourselves about the day after. September 12th. When in NYC, where people have the reputation for being the rudest and meanest, we walked down the street and spoke to strangers, asking if they were okay, if their families were okay, if we could help with food or company or just a hug. We cheered on the volunteers as they drove down the west side highway. We brought food to the precincts and firehouses and watched over children who suddenly had no where else to go. We were one city, one nation, for those few days, but how quickly we've forgotten what it means to stand united.
The world is falling down around us today just as it was 10 years ago, perhaps in an even more dangerous way. No one can stop fighting long enough to see the forest for the trees and everyone seems to have forgotten that on that day, we were one people. We were American and we were strong and we survived because we stood together. And so I ask you, if you If you want to commemorate those we lost, remember that. Remember what it means to act as one - to come together to protect the whole rather than the interests of the few. Make a compromise. Listen to a voice that you would normally dismiss and don't write them off because you are too lazy to reexamine your own beliefs - you might be right but you also might be wrong. Do something to make the world feel safer and more full of love. Remember what it means to be a member of a community - local or global - and that your actions speak louder than words. Because to be honest, this world could use a little action right now.