Thoughts on the State of the Country, 20 Years After 9/11
Much has been said about 9/11 being the last time the US felt truly united. But what if mainstream journalists are afraid to touch on some uncomfortable truths about our divisions?
When 9/11 happened, I was too young to remember the day specifically. What I do remember though are the years afterwards when America entered two wars that are now both being questioned whether they were worth fighting and the growing division that ensued.
While I grew up in a progressive family, and largely adopted those viewpoints, I was taught to do my best to understand the perspectives of those who I disagreed with. In recent years however, a thought has haunted me as I watched the political discourse ratchet up to 11:
Has it come to a point that the American right sees itself as a different country than the rest of America, and therefore does not want to unite?
Before you dismiss this as just the thoughts of a partisan Democrat, I acknowledge that there are those on the left who appear to share this view. However, they have not gained as much political power as those on the right with this view.
Take for example Democratic campaign messaging: a lot of it is centered around not offending white conservative-leaning voters with culturally liberal appeals. Meanwhile, Republican candidates regularly campaign on grievance against what their base views as a liberal elite who views them as bigoted, uncultured and stupid.
Just look at the culture wars happening now over masks and vaccines. Prior to this past week when President Joe Biden ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements, the messaging was that getting a vaccine was for a common good of you and those around you. After nearly eight months of Biden in office, Republicans are still the largest unvaccinated group in the country. With justifications along the lines of “It is my freedom to not get vaccinated” or “I won’t get vaccinated because that’s what Democrats want me to do”, it feeds into my fear that the core base of the American right sees itself as separate from the rest of the country, and its leaders are simply responding to what they see as their voters.
So what does all this have to do with 9/11? Here’s my thoughts:
The 9/11 terrorists attacked because they wanted to instill fear in the people of the United States. They wanted the citizenry to fear each other. They wanted Americans to see each other as at-best, misguided, or at-worst, un-American.
Does this sound familiar at all when it relates to our current political discourse?
I am naturally an optimist, and I am hopeful that the United States can heal its deep divisions eventually. How long will that take? I have no idea.