9/11, has shaped my worldview more than any other event in my lifetime. From my spiritual outlook to my overall view of the world, that day shaped every dimension of who I am. Its been five fast years since that seemingly beautiful September morning.
It was just another day. I was eating my breakfeast, ready to start the third Tuesday of sixth grade at a new school halfway across the country from where I had lived for my entire life before. Then, the phone rang...
It was my Great Aunt who commanded my dad to turn on the Today's Show. Even before my dad was able to change the channel, I knew something horrible had happened if my laid back Great Aunt was calling us in a panic.
Before I proceed, I'd just like to give some backround on how 9/11 impacted me on a personal level: I was eleven years old at the time and my family had moved from Princeton, New Jersey to Tulsa Oklahoma that Summer. At the time, New Jersey, where I had lived previously for all eleven years of my life, was still very much my home. So the disaster was especially personal for us compared to most Tulsa families. Had it not been for Downtown Manhattan, I literally would not exist. My parents both met in the Banker's Trust Building across the street from Ground Zero, which as far as I know, is still uninhabited and unsafe.
Of course, the personal impact of 9/11 on my life was miniscule and perhaps non-existent in comparison to that of too many people. For those of you who lost loved ones, I can't even begin to fathom the pain wrought by this tragedy.
Like many, I initially was completely oblivious to the possibility of a terrorist attack. Afterall, the networks were saying that it was small plane that crashed into the North Tower. After watching the North Tower inflamed for a few minutes, however, a second plane came out of nowhere and flew into the South Tower. Confusion over what the hell was happening still reigned in my mind. Eventually, my dad and I eventually forced ourselves away from the tv and I went to school.
That entire day felt so strange. I knew that there were possibly good friends of mine at my school in New Jersey who possibly had a loved one trapped in the Tower. As soon as I got home, I called all of them and thankfully everyone was fine. Meanwhile in Tulsa, I was surrounded by people who were not exactly apathetic to the attack, but really did not understand the seriousness of the situation. Nor did I, (I was in sixth for godsakes and had I not been from New Jeresey, I would have felt no different). I do not fault them at all, it was just uncomfortable being the only person who really had any connection to what was going on.
After the principle came on the intercom and commanded all the teachers to turn off the news, we sat in circle and expressed just how we felt in general. Perhaps what I remember most vividly about that day at school was when my teacher told us in that circle that we should not take out any feelings of anger and insecurity out on any of our few Muslim classmates. Although this teacher of mine was a right-wing idiot, who called Harry Potter trash when I asked to read it for a book report while having no qualms with students reading Tim Lahaye's "Left Behind" series about the rapture, these words of hers on 9/11 were extremely admirable.
Which brings me to the aftermath of 9/11. 3,000 people, some Muslims, others Christian, Hindu or Jewish (among others) were the fatal victims of 9/11. But that was one day. One of the most terrible, horrific days in history, nonetheless. But what about the victims of five, prolonged years since the attacks?
I'm talking about a Muslim center here in Tulsa that was vandalized. I'm talking about a Muslim owned and operated conveinance store in Tulsa receiving death threats from customers. I'm talking the Muslim familes, who like so many 9/11 familes, cope with the loss of a mother, father or brother every day.
Just a few days ago, I attended a Memorial Service for the former Pastor of my church who tragically died of cancer. He pastored the Church for 36 years and fought like hell for just about progressive cause in a uniquely authentic and genuine manner. One of his big causes was to foster better interfaith relations in a city dominated by megachurches and Oral Roberts University.
At his service, all faiths were represnted. When I noticed the first Muslim family, I broke down in tears. I thought about all that this deceased Christian pastor had done for them. Then I thought about the alienation they feel in Tulsa's sickening faith community. My pastor, clearly on the left-wing fringe in Tulsa's Christian community was one of the only people willing to reach out to them and dennounce the increase in hate we see in post 9-11 America. "Mainstream Christians" in this community couldn't care less about them.
So I urge all of you to reach out to the Muslims in your community. Let's not make them the permanent victims of this post 9-11 world.