story4461.xml

story4461.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was immediately struck by the radio broadcast and remember wondering to myself if this might be terrorism in action. As quickly as the thought entered, I pushed it aside trying to convince myself that something of that magnitude was simply not possible. Not here, not in our own country.
When I reached my sister's home, she hadn't heard the news, so together we watched the mind numbing events unfold as the second tower was hit. At this point it was confirmed in my mind that this was indeed a terrorist attack and a clear picture of hatred at its worst. How could anyone, any group of people hold such disregard for innocence simply because we believed differently. Again, I thought, this is discrimination at its worst.
As time throughout the day brought more screen images of the agony being suffered in New York, I began to weep for the lost, the ones left behind.I cryed with a sense of panic to hold near to me my own family. This time of tears turned into a sober state of mind as I watched footage of those fleeing the crumbling structures of the two tall towers. But this time I did not see racism, I did not see the different skin color, hair color, social standing, or religion walking away from the distruction. I was awestruck as I witnessed dust covered, people coming from the rubble. No ethnic markings, no differences were showing, just people. My brothers and sisters, my people.
As the day turned into several, I no longer saw hatred or discrimination. I witnessed the coming together of a kinsmen for the common good. An outpooring of support, compassion and help in a great time of need. No longer hatred at its worst, but humanity at its best.