September 11th Altered Everything

Prompt: Mailer

September 11th Altered Everything

We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001. I was in History class in seventh grade. We were studying when one of my friends asked what had happened; everyone was acting weird. My teacher told me she was not allowed to tell us but we begged her until she gave in. My teacher told us America was under attack and that the school was under lock down. We were not allowed to tell the other children due to panic. I know I will never forget the feeling of fear that came over me, as I am sure neither will anyone else. Yes we all remember where we were and how we felt. The bigger question is: Do you remember how you felt before September 11th?


Norman Mailer writes in his book Why Are We A War, "Then September 11 altered everything. It was as if our TV sets had come alive.For years we had been watching maelstrom extravaganzas on the tube, and enjoying them. We were insulated. A hundredth part of ourselves could step into the box and live with the fear. now, an invasion from the Beyond! An Appearance! Gods and demons were invading the United States, coming in right off the TV screen." This is true. Before September 11, America felt safe. Then all of a sudden, It was as if our eyes were opened for the first time that we are in fact not safe.

Mailer has specfic examples of how our eyes we opened. Mailer writes of Robert Hanssen being a Soviet mole for fifteen year and of the Catholic priests who had molested so many young boys. Before September 11, We had pedophiles. However, to have priests do such thing to our children seem to hit even closer to home. September 11 made America see that we are not invincible. Now, we are more alert and see more clearly. I think September 11 was a serious wake up call for America and even for the world. Before the attack, we were blinded by deception and greed for money and power. Norman Mailer blames this upon our president George Bush. Perhaps he is correct in this assertion. I think it was because of our own deception of ourselfs.