I Lost My Father Due to 9/11 and I'm Sick Of Your Ignorance | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I Lost My Father Due to 9/11 and I'm Sick Of Your Ignorance

An open letter from a girl who knows that September 11th is a day of remembrance, not a day to be ignorant.

76
I Lost My Father Due to 9/11 and I'm Sick Of Your Ignorance

September 11,2001 to many New Yorker’s and many AMERICANS is a day of horror, sadness, trauma, and grief. It does not matter how many years it has been or how many memorials have been done, 9/11 is still and always will be one of the most traumatic days that some of us have ever experienced; me included.

I think many people who talk about 9/11 so ignorantly on social media forget that just because they weren’t affected, 2996 families that day were and hundreds of families following who have lost family members due to 9/11 related illnesses.

Coming from a girl who was personally affected from these attacks, your ignorance really hurts. No, my father did not pass away in the towers, but my Dad’s best friend who was like an uncle to me did. Then, when I thought the pain and suffering that our families experienced was to much to bear already, my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 14 years later because he was a first responder down at Ground Zero after the attacks. My dad fought for a short 10 months and unfortunately lost his battle to pancreatic cancer.

One tweet I saw on twitter this week stated “it was 15 years ago, can we move the f*ck on? USA loves being the f*cking victim”….

The amount of years that have gone by absolutely does NOT change how much pain and suffering many of us have went through. I wish I could tell you that every year that passes makes it easier. It doesn’t, it makes it harder. The reason for this is because when you’re actually directly affected you would understand that when you see the number “15” you remember that it’s 15 years since you kissed the one you love goodnight, your children saw their mother or father, parents saw their children, nieces and nephews saw their uncles or aunts. Not only that, the mental health problems that have developed due to 9/11 don’t just go away because it’s “15 years later”. For you, the ones who haven’t been directly affected, you should also educate yourself on how many people actually did pass, because as an American, on this day, no matter how many years have passed, you should mourn the loss of the innocent people who lost their lives so tragically on that day.

Another tweet I saw referenced how “white people can’t get over one day that happened 15 years ago but want African Americans to get over 300 years of racial oppression”

I will let you figure out that one for yourself because I know that it was not only “white people” who were victims of this attack. Every race, ethnicity, and gender were targeted and killed.

It is disgusting to me how people could, on 9/11, be so ignorant and heartless.

September 11th is not a day to speak about your conspiracy theories, who was accountable for the attack, if it was an attack or not, it is a day for our nation to come together as one to honor the fallen and remember the sacrifice that so many men and woman made that day.

I am praying that next year there is not as much ignorance on my news feed because it really hurts to see that people can be so heartless about an attack that has effected to many around them. I am also praying for you, the ignorant ones, that you may find some love in such a hateful bitter heart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2980
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5516
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3457
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments