And then I came here to Liverpool. This stirred up a lot of mixed feelings towards the world and 9/11 - and not all bad. But it's different to be somewhere other than America as an American with 9/11 approaching. Almost surreal? I don't know if that is the word that I am looking for and might never find the right word. So anyway, yeah. I came here and heard all these people talking about 9/11 very nonchalantly or like happened way in the past like I look at Pearl Harbor, which although I know it affected the world I couldn't tell you that much about it and (to my own ignorance) I am quite unphased by it. Because I didn't live through it. I also feel that the people I heard speaking of 9/11 were only doing so because they were getting paid for it. I am losing my track here..
I was at the mall buying two Jesus bracelets for my mom and brother's girlfriend and the man who was running the stand began to talk to me. (I had my iPod on but Liverpudlians don't really care if you're listening to music, I guess because music is such a huge part of Liverpool?) He told me that he was from Afghanistan and he asked me where I was from and I told him. He said that he didn't know where Pennsylvania was and I said told him it was right next to New York. And then he said, "Ah. I know by the accident. Twin Towers." Me being me said "excuse me?" even though I knew what he said - I was giving him the opportunity to change his answer. He didn't. "He said the accident ten or eleven years ago..." and I said, "9/11? It was far from an accident." and he then explained to me that that is when he left Afghanistan ten or eleven years ago and I told him it (will be) ten years Sunday. I floored by this. An accident? Is this what he was told? How do three (almost four) planes accidentally fly into buildings on the same day? It absolutely messed with my head for the rest of the day that this guy thought it was an accident. Later, my mom reminded me that this is probably what he was told by his country.
So I have told you before there is a man who is a native of Iran living across the hall from me. He is teaching nutrition and he is super funny, kind, and helpful. And I was talking to him about 9/11 and how it is really strange to be here while they are talking about 9/11 and had no idea what they were talking about. And he said that he understood because there are people that tell him they know what it is like to live in a war zone (this is something that Iran and I haven't discussed) and he knows they do not. He told me people don't know what a missile can do. "I've seen what a missile does. It flattens everything." He then reminded me that they (people who Americans) aren't going to understand the way that you see or feel about 9/11 because they weren't there. They will never understand it and do not be upset with them for it. So I have decided to keep that in my head for the day (and for future use).
It baffles/annoys/saddens me when I hear "IT" being referred to as an accident or incident. It was an attack. It changed everything obviously but it was a rude awakening for the bright-eyed 17 year-old who was quite positive that America was indestructible. I remember everyone telling me that war would never come to the States and stuff like that. Then, when I was leaving "gym" class (first period) a few of the teachers were talking about the attack (I hadn't heard or seen anything yet) and I stopped to ask them what was going on. He told me and I wasn't really upset (I just didn't understand until an hour or so later) but shocked that something happened. I also think at this time it was only one plane so he thought it was an accident. It wasn't until fourth period with access to a tv and a teacher I trusted did the whole situation hit me. I saw that my teacher was a wreck and I saw the tv and got it then. America wasn't as invincible as I thought. However, there is no other place I'd rather call home. And I wish there was more I could have done at the time to help after the attacks but I guess we all just do what we can when we can do it.
I went to "a mutli-faith event commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11" at the Anglican Cathedral today. I sported a navy and red FDNY shirt, jeans, and chucks and it wasn't until I got to the door of the church that I realized it is absolutely disrespectful (in my eyes) to wear jeans to church. But, I went in anyway. Besides, I thought the shirt was appropriate. I wanted to do something today not just because I am an American but because I am human (and so are you) and I think that we need to start doing something to make this place a little better and a lot less angry and violent. I thought the best place to start was a church. Which, btw, is a huge step for me. I was lucky when I got there and realized that we weren't going to be holding our hands and praying to some (may be real may be imaginary) being in the sky for peace on earth. (WOW! That was cynical.) But it was actually an event produced by The UK Association of Rights and Humanity. And it is the best thing I have done here (not Beatles related of course ) so far! I was ready for a revolution (or something) when the event was over. It was motivating and at the end of it we (or I ) was like "Okay, what happened was a drag. But we can only move on from here and move on in a positive way." I am not saying we can't be sad from time to time (we all are sometimes) but ten years is a long time to be sad and let's turn the sadness into greatness. Sounding cheesy here, huh? It started off sort of sad. The dude listed all the numbers of 9/11 deaths, etc... . ( I wanted to type up the program for you but I will have to do that another day.) That part was really sad and I even cried a bit when they went through the number of deaths. There was a moment of silence. This was very interesting because I am used to America's moment of silence which is usually about 10-30 seconds. On this particular evening a moment was a moment. It had to go for a minute or two. It was so quiet that the silence was screaming in your ears and you really just wanted to someone to cough or sneeze or something. The only 'complaint' I have about this evenings event was that there was no mention of Flight 93. I think that is unfortunate because the people on that flight demonstrated acts of courage and humanity. I hope to find out why this happened. If I do, I'll keep you posted. Throughout the event seven different people read each of the seven different "Principles of Responsibility" Those I will share with you...
I heard them at the event this evening but you can also find them Rights and Humanity Website the link to download the word file is on the RIGHT side in the middle of the page
Respect and promote the human rights of everyone, everywhere
- Recognize, promote, and respect the human rights of everyone, everywhere in the world
- Avoid any prejudice and respect the equality of everyone irrespective of any potentially divisive barrier such as race, sex, religion, or ideology
- Strive for economic, social, political, and cultural justice within the family, the community, and within and between states
The 2nd of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Recognize and respect our common humanity
- Comprehend that all is interconnected and that individual action affects others
- Avoid harm to others
- Treat everyone with humanity and as we ourselves would wish to be treated
The 3rd of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Respect human dignity
- Treat everyone with respect for their human dignity, privacy, and autonomy
- Appreciate the richness of diversity and the dignity of difference
- Recognize and respect the rights of others to have and express opinions and practices different from our own
The 4th of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Revere life and protect the environment
- Respect human life and everyone's right to a standard of living adequate for life, health, and well-being
- Recognize the impact of our actions and inactions on others and on their livelihoods
- Respect nature, protect our shared environment and avoid the waste of scarce resources
The 5th of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Think and behave with compassion
- Empathize with others in the wish that they might be free of suffering
- Share with others and act to supports and include those living in distress, poverty, and social isolation
- Work in cooperation with others to prevent and alleviate human suffering and develop to the full our potential for service to others
The 6th of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Act with integrity
- Act with integrity in all matters and speak and behave with honesty
- Inform ourselves of, and take responsibility for, the impact on others of our actions and inactions
- Strive to base our decisions on accurate facts and reasoned analysis of the effects of the decision, seeking always to avoid harm and promote good
The 7th of Rights and Humanity's Principles of Responsibility:
Make peace
- Make peace with ourselves and with others
- Build bridges of understanding
- Strive for justice and for peaceful resolution of conflicts in the home, at work, in the community, and in the world
So at the end of the event there wasn't sadness but joy and hope that tomorrow will be better. And it will be.
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