Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 11 Digital Archive Stories Description An account of the resource This collection is the bulk of the archive, representing the reactions and experiences of thousands of individuals beginning in 2002. 911DA Story 911DA Story: Story Tell us about what you did, saw, or heard on September 11th. Feel free to write as much or as little as you like. Tell us your story: "Mourning While Accused" I was at my desk at the US EPA on the morning of September 11. Word had just gotten out that the World Trade Center was attacked, and that the EPA might evacuate. Once the Pentagon was also struck, the EPA decided to evacuate all employees. For me the tragedy was doubly painful: I was simulaneously mourning and accused. A native of Oklahoma, I recalled the reaction to the Oklahoma City bombing. Muslims in Oklahoma lived in fear until Timothy McVeigh was caught. My mosque was vandalized, and nearby mosques sustained gunfire. I joined the sea of people who took the Metro that day, while some preferred to walk because of rumors that the Metro could be a target. As I entered the Metro, a well-intentioned gentleman advised me to remove the head-scarf I wear as a Muslim woman. "No," I told him. He asked me if I knew what happened, and told me that crazy people might attack me. "Yes," I said, "I work in a federal building, but I will not remove my scarf out of fear. I revere God and God alone." Before entering, a Muslim man approached me. "Sister, you shouldn't travel alone dressed like that." Probably not, I thought, but what other option did I have? That day, the Metro was more crowded than I had ever seen it during rush hour, yet I noticed several hesitated to sit next to me, until finally someone did. Had I suddenly become dangerous? When I left, I ran into a stranger who cursed at me then screamed, "I'd hate to be you!" For the next several days, I felt I lived in two worlds. One comprised of my family and friends with whom I could share my horror at the loss of innocent life, including my own Professor Leslie. The other world consisted of strangers who stared at me in anger and disgust, as if I had somehow been an accomplice. For weeks, I hesitated over whether to smile or stay grim-faced, as either seemed equally ill-received. If I smiled, strangers might consider me happy for what had happened. If I did not, I could be guilty or threatening. I continue to pray for justice and compassion everywhere. As did Martin Luther King, Jr., I dream of a day when Muslim will not be judged by their appearance but by the content of their character. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource story469.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-04-26 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 134.67.6.24