Around this day in 2001, hope was becoming desperation. While the steady drumbeat of revenge pounded nationwide, desperate, searching families in NYC focused on one thing; comfort. Giving comfort and needing comfort became the currency of every interaction, no matter how casual. Shoulders, tissues, candles, hugs. Empathy had bubbled to the surface of humanity, and it united us.
But then, as funerals ended and tears became private again, many forgot what united us. Empathy lost to revenge; it lost to fear.
Every 9/11, I take out my photos and get to know these people again. Reading their family's descriptions reminds me of the empathy that unites us. And I wonder what this country would be like today had that overwhelming empathy been valued and fostered, rather than manipulated. I wonder if empathy could have prevented it.
I've never published these photos online. Most are from St Vincent's Hospital in Sept 01.
This guy on top, Paul, I never knew him. But I really feel like I could have; something about his smile. I recall his wife saying in the NY Times he was "probably cracking jokes, imitating Homer Simpson" all the way down the stairs in Tower 2. I wanted to know him, honor his memory, and hug her.
Photo taken from the 14th floor of the Transportation Building, Sept 28, 2001.
Note: The flyers have been photoshopped to hide phone numbers and email addresses.
Inside the Polo Ralph Loren store on Broadway, Sept 2001.
Update [2008-9-17 8:21:25 by Eileen B]: Finished scanning more photos from negative, more to come: