United We Stand?
During the course of our lives, there are events that transpire that are so earthshattering we remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when they occurred. Most are tragic, but every now and then there is something amazingly wonderful that takes place.
Naturally, these are not all the same events for everyone because they are generational, but it seems we all at some point do experience what it’s like to have a whole country, perhaps even a whole world, take a pause and feel the same excitement, pain, empathy, sorrow, fear, and bonding that connects most of humanity.
I say most of humanity, because some of these events are caused by people we cannot consider human beings. They are demons that exist amongst us, disguised as humans.
In my lifetime, the events that affected me the most have been the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the death of Princess Diana, the 9/11 attacks, and the Covid outbreak scare.
And here we are today, 25 years after the horrific 9/11 attacks, doing our best to honor those who lost their lives, and those who continue to lose their lives from residual effects of that day. We honor the surviving families, and we honor those who serve us in Public Safety everyday trying to keep us safe.
Although we must “never forget,” every year I try to protect myself from feeling the deep terror and pain of that day, but it never works. The personal stories still make me cry, sobbing for everyone affected and praying we never see such horror again.
The fact that we Jewish people are supposed to be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year beginning at sundown today, is not sitting comfortably with me. It's impossible to celebrate our New Year on this day of intense sadness and loss. And with the increase of anti-Semitism, it feels foreboding. This rise in anti-Semitism shows me that in fact, we do forget.
I don't recall a time during my life where I felt less connected to my fellow Americans as I do now due to our political climate. Families have been destroyed because of differences in political beliefs and friendships have been terminated.
How are we supposed to feel united and safe in this country when we are so angry and divided amongst ourselves? And this makes us all vulnerable.
It shouldn’t take tragedy to unite us. We are all trying to survive in this world and the United States of America needs to be united at all times. Let’s wake up.