As I thought about it, the pieces began to fall into place, and that has led to the writing of this diary. In summary, I would suggest that the rifts that have developed in our society, are ones that are very predictable, in the wake of tragedy.
It is my hope that in writing this, perhaps we might find a way as a country to pull together once again, and to work on solving our problems, rather than focusing on the bitter partisian divide that has engulfed us.
I remember seven years ago, almost like it was yesterday. I was working under Sea-Tac international airport, and I watched as the planes landed. It seemed like a dream. I was angry, I was frightened, I was confused.
I wondered to myself, what would the future bring? It seemed certain that there would be war. I think everyone felt that way.
As the days unfolded, we watched Time and again, the planes crashing into the sides of the Twin Towers. Together, we pulled together as a society, and looked for answers. The immediate impact was obvious. In a 2001 study it was found
As noted above the impact on client caseloads were greatest at schools located on the eastern seaboard. Directors from these schools also report more examples of students who saw a direct connection between the events of 9-11 and the problems they were experiencing. These students exhibited anxiety attacks, nightmares, fears of additional attacks, fears of anthrax, and fears of attending public events, going through tunnels, crossing bridges, or riding on subways. A number of students indicated that they had a great deal of difficulty focusing on their studies....
Several of the responding directors suggested that 9-11 "lowered the threshold" for students who were struggling with other problems. Others spoke of a "psychological fault line" that may be present in more fragile students (although it may well be that such fault lines exist in all of us if the cumulative stresses in our lives are great enough). Nevertheless, the attacks on 9-11 do seem to have precipitated or exacerbated dormant symptoms in many students. While these students were able to function reasonably well prior to this time, in spite of their personal issues, the emotionally charged atmosphere that developed after 9-11 seems to have made it more difficult for students to ignore these problems.
As the years progressed, people kept looking for answers. This led some to the development of countless conspiracy theories, and others to more militaristic solutions. Someone had to answer for what happened. And so we found ourselves a nation on the verge of insanity.
Soon, our differences became more fixed, and we began to divide into seperate camps, each justifying its own existence by casting blame upon the other.
And even now, the trend continues, as we find ourselves today, seven years later, entrenched into one of the most divisive political campaigns that America has ever faced. Would we have forseen this seven years ago?
Its time for us as a nation, to recognize, that we have been consumed in a madness together. That no one is to blame. That if we are to heal as a nation, that we must first learn to forgive one another, and at last, and perhaps most difficult, learn to forgive ourselves.
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