story20422.xml

story20422.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2006-09-11

I remember every little detail about that day. I even remember what outfit I wore because it was brand new and I was so excited to wear it school that day. I was eleven years old and in sixth grade at Poe Middle School. Everything started out a normal day. But by my second class, a lot of people were getting picked up early from school and everyine was so confused because we had no idea what was going on. None of the teachers were telling anyone anything. I knew something had to be up right before lunch because I was supposed to go to uncle's house after school but I got called down to the main office where they said my mom had called and wanted me to come straight home at the end of the day. When I asked the woman in the main office if my mom gave a reason, she just said, "Well there has been some accidents in New York and that may have something to do with it." Now I was more confused than ever because when she said "accidents," the first thing that popped in my head was car accidents and I was so confused as to what car accidents in New York had to do with me and why it was important.

When I got home from school that day, still not knowing anything about what had happened, I noticed my mom's car in the driveway which was strange because normally she wasn'y home from work until around five. She opened the door when she saw me coming up the porch and I noticed her face looked kind of red, like she'd been crying. I barely asked, "What's going on?" before she led me in the house and to the TV, which was repeating for the millionth time that day what had happened. I was in complete shock.

Now, five years later, I can't say my life has been seriously affected by what happened that day. But there have been some changes. Ever since I've been a lot more interested in the news and national and international affairs. I've been a lot more politically inclined as well. But one of the most noticeable changes is security. Now when I go into DC, there are security checks before entering museums, creating long lines. And just this past summer, when I was visiting my grandmother in Florida, at the airport I had to take off my shoes, necklace, watch, bracelets, and before I could go through the metal detector.

However, one thing I stand strong to about September 11 is this: it should not keep people from living their lives to the fullest. It should not be an excuse from the government to take away American's liberties. And it should not be exploited by the media. Of course, all these things have happened anyway, and THAT is what I find the saddest.