Fifteen years ago our nation was attacked, and shocked, when two airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center buildings. Many of us watched in pure disbelief, as smoke and debris of Ground Zero scattered across lower Manhattan into Brooklyn and northeastern New Jersey. Hundreds of first responders fought day in and day out to save anyone they could; risking their own lives to do so in the process. With the likes of the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is a moment this nation shall never forget.
However one of the top aspects brought to the surface as a result of the 9/11 attacks, aside from the well-deserved respect for our first responders and emergency departments, was the patriotism and unity of our society. As horrific as the attacks were, a massive sense of pride ensued and regardless of location, gender, race, belief, age, etc., our nation came together to help support, serve, and rebuild from the uppercut we took.
Fast forward to now and the question is: What happened?
What happened to the passion to stand up for the nation as a whole? What happened to the love towards your neighbor? What happened to the willingness to lend a helping hand? It is almost as if we are living in a nation divided. I understand how adversity brings people together, but it shouldn't have to occur on a regular basis just to keep our society united.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, "The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart."
The statement may seem extreme, but the idea makes sense. As a nation, we can either decide to make proactive change and move forward towards a more respectable and positive society, or we will further separate from one another.
Perhaps the better question to be asked: What are you doing to promote our unity?
