Twenty-five years ago, the United States experienced a profound shift. On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. Attacks targeted the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, while passengers and crew on Flight 93 fought back, diverting their plane from its intended target.
In the immediate aftermath, a sense of national unity emerged. American flags became common sights, and bipartisan cooperation was evident. First responders were lauded for their bravery, running toward danger. In that era, there was a clear moral understanding that the attacks were an act of evil perpetrated by al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. The author of this reflection, then a journalism student, remembers the shock and confusion, followed by a clarifying understanding.
A Shift in National Discourse
Now, as a mother of four daughters, the approaching 25th anniversary prompts a reflection on how much the country has changed and how many children have no memory of the pre-9/11 America. The author expresses a longing for the moral clarity of that time, not because the nation was perfect, but because there was a shared understanding that America, despite its flaws, was a force for good. This perspective held that patriotism was not exclusive to one political party and that caring about injustice was not inherently partisan.
The events of Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked civilians in Israel, highlighted a perceived shift. The author observed a response that, in contrast to the post-9/11 era, involved rationalizing terrorism. This became personal for the author when protests and an encampment occurred at Columbia University, where her daughter was a student. This experience led to the question of how the country evolved from recognizing terrorism to a point where some young Americans might romanticize or excuse political violence.
The Role of Parents and Education
Addressing this shift, the author emphasizes the critical role of parents. The advice given is to engage children in conversations about 9/11, explaining what happened, who was responsible, and the lessons learned. For older children, viewing historical footage may be appropriate. It is crucial to distinguish between Islam, a peaceful faith, and Islamist terrorism, an extremist ideology used to justify violence.
Parents are encouraged to be aware of what their children are being taught in schools and to utilize available resources, such as those provided by California's Department of Education for teaching about the attacks. The author cautions against relying on social media platforms like TikTok for historical education, advocating instead for direct parental engagement and informed discussion at home.
Voting is also presented as an important civic duty, not as a partisan requirement but as a means to elect leaders whose values align with one's own. Ultimately, the message is that remembering Sept. 11 involves more than annual remembrance; it requires actively teaching subsequent generations about the event, its causes, and its impact. The author concludes with a concern that younger generations may be inheriting an America that has forgotten its strength and the importance of actively preserving and improving the nation for the future.