The Limits of Memory September 11, 2009
Posted by Dan R. Dick in Core Values, Personal Reflection.Tags: Community
2 comments
I was talking with a colleague who is scheduling some work in south Manhattan. He shook his head and shared, incredulously, that he wanted to come in the second week of September to meet with ecumenical leadership and they wouldn’t do it because of September 11th. He looked at me and said, “Man, why don’t they just get over it!”
The comment took me by surprise. 9/11 is a defining moment for the United States in the 21st century. Not only the day and the tragic event, but major decisions following it that have impacted the entire planet. It is difficult to get over something that is still going on. But there is a larger factor at work for me, and it has to do with our national identity. I guess I’m not sure we have one. The structures of community are so fractured in the United States, and the rampant consumeristic individualism makes any kind of “us” tenuous at best. (Look at the current debate over universal health care. Those who ”have” see no value in providing for those who don’t. So long as “us” is cared for, “them” can fend for themselves.) And that is the crux of my friends comment: he’s from Kentucky — 9/11 didn’t happen to him, it happened to “them” (New Yorkers), and because “they” won’t let it go, it inconveniences him.
The same sort of thing happened with hurricane Katrina. In the moment and the immediate aftermath, there was a great outpouring of compassion, aid and support. But that was then, this is now. Forget the fact that entire communities are gone and have yet to be rebuilt. Forget that thousands are still struggling to survive in new and different lives. Forget that recovery work is way behind, and in many places has halted altogether due to lack of funding and relief workers. Katrina was four years ago. “They” should just get over it.
