Remembering September 11, 2001

That morning, I sat on the edge of my bed angry with my hair for insisting on going one direction when I wanted it to go the other. As a junior in high school, it seemed to me that this was a dire situation. I sat in English literature class that morning only to realize just how much I had taken life for granted.
It was September 11, 2001. Televisions in every classroom told the news of our country’s fate. Shock spread across the faces of classmates and teachers alike. At the time, we did not know much about what had happened. It was clear that we had been attacked, but who and why remained unclear. The rest of that morning seemed to move in slow motion. We all moved throughout the halls like zombies, confused and unaware of what to do next.
Things have not seemed to change much since that day six years ago. The answer to the question of “who” seems to change with the president’s agenda. Many people have their own theories as to why it happened, but we may never really know. Six years later, we still do not know much about what happened. We know so little about what actually happened conspiracy theorists are starting to sound like credible sources to some people.
For a second, something did change. The values that America had once treasured were back. The tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001, sparked a feeling of unity amongst Americans. Smiles were exchanged between strangers more often. Doors were held open a few seconds longer. We had all experienced that day. Some were more directly affected than others, but still we had experienced it together. We all shared a common goal for our country, and America slowed down for a second in time.
Now, it is business as usual. People are too busy checking their text messages to hold the door open for the next person. News of Britney Spears’ toddlers garnishes the front page where actual news used to be. More importantly, we still do not have the answers. And it is hard for millions of people to stand together when we are not sure where to stand.