I don't really remember September 11th, 2001. I was only four at the time and was more focused on what type of snake was in the back yard than I was about terrorism. I do have flashes of the day: the news showing footage of the buildings collapsing, and my mother crying while she talks to my father on the phone, afraid that his LA office building might be attacked as well. I remember there was no school that day and my dad came home from work because anyone working in buildings near airports were given the day off, just on the off chance that it would be hit. At the time, I didn't understand what was happening. I was not affected by the attacks.
On Native Soil brings me back to that day. But this time, I am fully aware of what is happening. My heart pounds in my chest as the planes hit their targets, and I bite back a scream of horror. I put myself in the minds of the victims, trapped in the building. Their fear washes over me and I see myself in the hallways filled with rubble and flames, the smoke and debris in the air choking me as I struggle towards the stairs. I can feel blood running down my temple and arms and the dust settles in the open wounds. I can hear the screams of my co workers as they panic. Fear makes them forget any sort of logic. I see my assistant jump out the window. We are on the 85th floor.
I feel tears forming as I come back to the present.
I cannot think of a way to conclude it. Normally I am not very emotional, but the footage has shocked me into silence and added a tremor to my voice.
Even after all this, I still believe going to war against Iraq was incredibly wrong. War in general is.
The people who did this did need to answer for it.
What upsets me that somehow most of the Middle East had to as well.
This was one group of people attacking a country. The US should have just gone after the terrorists, and left innocents unharmed.
Hi, Fiona!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how you were thinking and feeling during the video. Your sensory details regarding being trapped in the building really brought me into the space you were imagining.
I also tried placing myself in the situation while watching On Native Soil. My oldest brother, Matt, recently was offered the job of his dreams- a position at a law firm in NY. As the families and Stanley shared their emotional responses to their stories, I put myself into their shoes. I asked myself, "What if that person jumping from this 100th floor was Matt?" and "What if I had my last phone call with him today?" I had to yank myself back into reality and remember that Matt was currently safe to avoid flooding my face with tears. I'm happy to hear I wasn't the only one struggling to keep my emotions under control!
-Lizzy
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ReplyDeleteI'm glad you read my post as I meant for it to be read. I was incredibly emotional writing it as well. I have to say your comment added to the ball of feelings
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