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: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. As I was bombarded with constant information I found myself trying to put into words what I was feeling. What follows is my attempt to do just that. If you are like me you have spent the last week with many thoughts and images going through your mind. Through it all there have been some over riding themes that seem to always come through. First I have to admit that I am depressed. This I believe is from the grieving that accompanies a death. In this case it is a death of innocence along with the overwhelming destruction of people. I shouldnt be surprised, like the rest of us I have been denying what was probably inevitable. Any time you allow people to be disenfranchised they are going to be easily lead. Just look on our own shores to the gangs and cults. When people feel they will not be able to better themselves they are then victim to those who would use their hopelessness to their own ends. They also prey on the feelings of uselessness and anger at not being able to climb from the dregs. I also feel that those responsible need to be held accountable for their actions and also those who would aid in such an act. However the testosterone rhetoric only fans the flames and does not allow for thoughtful action. This act of terrorism was about the United States and yet it was not. We are the ones who are most visible and seem to have the most. If it were another country that was at the forefront then they would have been the targets. I am also not sure that war is the answer. We as a people are being asked to act on emotion and not logic. We are being asked to answer a call when we really need to grieve. Yet we also need to take action. This more than anything seems to point to the issue being more complex than we want to accept. As an instantaneous society we want immediate results. That is not a reality and really never has been. To get the best results takes time and we are not in a position to allow that, or are not willing to take the steps to allow that. Throughout history havent we learned that violence only breeds violence? We always say the war to end all wars, but we still allow people to starve, not only for food, but freedom, human rights and health. The American people are a proud and strong people. We are also loving and forgiving. Just now, I am afraid that we are looking to the first at the cost of the second. If as we say we are a God fearing people then we should remember to love your neighbor as yourself. As a child said, if God is the same with just different names then how does he choose whom to support? My answer would be God does not choose, but we make the choice. I hope in my heart that we make the right one for we will live with that choice for generations to come just as we have lived with those choices made by those who came before us. Like everyone else I wish I had all the right answers. This also contributes to the feelings of pressure and depression. May we think intelligently and rightly! May we come through this even stronger and more determined to eradicate the seeds that lead to people feeling they have no hope all over this planet. If not then we will continue to go through this time after time. 9-2001 NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? 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 nmah4138.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. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.186.8.220