A Day to Remember

Last Sunday marked the 10 year anniversary since the destruction of New York City's twin towers and the plane which crashed into the Pentagon. For the United States of America, this is a day of sorrow and also a day in which brought a commemoration of our nations hero's. It was a day, that could make even the most cynical American have empathy for our country. That being said, America is not the only country around the world that was affected by this drastically shocking event. People around the world remember this day, and remember the devastation it brought with it.

One of the most striking things that I noticed about this day in Belgium was how many people talked to me about the events that happened on 9/11. They asked me questions and talked about how the 10 year anniversary of these events was this Sunday. For me it seemed strange that they would be as interested and sympathetic as they were. In honesty, some of the older citizens that I talked to, knew more about the event that I myself do. It is strange to think that this happened 10 years ago. At that point in my life I was 8 years old. I might not have realized then what that event meant, but I can still see the effects of it after all this time.

Students talked about it in school, my host family mentioned it several times, and all day Sunday, September 11th were broadcasts live from New York, interviews with firefighters, and even a re-enactment movie of the events that transpired. From my experience, because that is all I can draw from, it seems that the world respected and empathized with America and still does because of what happened however when it comes to what we chose to do as our solution and counter attack, is less respected.

One of the effects that people have told me that it has had on Belgium is the increased racism to citizens of Middle Eastern countries and practitioners of the Muslim religion. I would say that the events of this date had a similar impact on America as well. However, we chose to act upon it differently. There is a lot of openness when it comes to discrimination after this event. For example, when the Muslim community in New York sought to build an informational center on the religion of Islam within relatively close proximity to Ground Zero, many American citizens were outraged. From my observation, if the same situation was presented in Belgium it would not be openly opposed, however many people would pass their own silent judgment.

Despite the negative impact that this event had, I was surprised with the respect that I was shown as an American in Belgium on the 10 year Anniversary. Thank you Belgium.