Is it possible to be selfless again?
America came together back in 2001 because there wasn’t social media offering up the latest conspiracy theory, spreading false information, and providing annoying clickbait or ignorant memes.
We’re mad the Tribute in Light is being displayed in a different way this year – we feel we’re forgetting those who lost their lives so selflessly years ago, but we won’t wear masks to selflessly try to protect those around us who might be at risk of contracting coronavirus.
America came together that day because it was us versus someone else. We have problems dealing with issues in our own country because we don’t want to face the fact that we have issues, that we aren’t perfect, that maybe another country made a better decision than us regarding, say, a pandemic.
The men and women who died on 9/11 were and are true heroes. Notice I didn’t say keyboard warriors. They didn’t discriminate against race, gender, religion, identity or party affiliation. They didn’t make sure the people they were trying to save were like them. They just did what was right. And if we could do that again, the world would be a much better place. Our nation would be a much better place.
If we want to truly show we’ll never forget, then we need to do what those who lost their lives can’t. Vote, help a neighbor, stand up for others, stand up for something we believe in, have an educated opinion, take time to listen, take time to learn, have a good attitude, show respect, have compassion.
A lot has changed in 19 years. And a lot will change in the next 19 years.
Will we come together again or continue to be torn apart? Will we choose to be better people now and in the future? Or are things only going to get worse?
#NeverForget
• Check out this opinion piece, “The people we were on 9/11,” on TribLive.
Mornings with Mackenzie 