9/11, 24 Years Later

Today marks 24 years since our world changed forever. In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers, Pentagon, and in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, our country experienced a surge of national unity and patriotism. We were more understanding and empathetic and displays of solidarity and service were many.

Now, an entire generation has grown up not experiencing 9/11. The day has now cemented itself as a piece of American history, like Pearl Harbor Day or 11/22/63, the day JFK was assassinated. It is crucial to teach those who were too young to remember, or perhaps not even born yet, about the horrors of 9/11, and some of the connectedness that came out of that terrible day.

Yesterday, our country experienced yet another tragedy. Conservative activist, author and media personality Charlie Kirk, 31, was assassinated by a yet-to-be-found person at an event at Utah Valley University. Reading social media comments after his death was announced were disgusting. No matter your political views, there is no place for cheering someone’s death. Kirk was a father, a brother, an uncle, and a son.

The political violence against Kirk was just one instance of many in recent days. Former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their golden retriever Gilbert were all shot dead in cold blood in June by a politically motivated assassin.

Our cities are so divided right now, not just in Minnesota and Utah. The federal surge in D.C. has come to an end, but ICE still lurks, and so do hateful people. Many of those hateful people live online, where many of us, particularly young people, spend most of our time.

This 9/11, sit down and talk to someone you don’t agree with and learn from them. Truly listening to someone is a lost art these days, and it’s important to remember that without listening, we will never make any progress. If we don’t, we will be stuck in a constant 9/11. Put down the weapons, get off your phones and speak to each other.

Never, ever forget.

tags9/11charlie kirkICEmelissa hortmannever forget