The Real Victory Over Terrorism

A lot happened on September 11, 2001, when those planes were flown into buildings. We learned the meaning of terrorism. We lost our innocence and optimism. We agreed to compromise some of our personal liberties for the preservation of the most important ones. We grieved.

Positives also came out of that horrible day. I just experienced one of the most amazing changes from 9/11. I just spent the weekend in New York City.

New York City has been known for the pushy non-manners of its people. For a non-New Yorker, New York City could be a daunting place over-populated with rude store clerks, crazy taxi drivers, and pushy citizens. One braced oneself before trying to visit the city. It would be a challenging high-speed adventure with many unpleasant encounters.

After September 11, much has changed. The twin towers are no longer there. They are simply gone, leaving a void beyond description. Many lives and our sense of invulnerability are gone with them. But - truly like the phoenix rising from the ashes - something fresh and wonderful - and very American - has emerged.

New York City is a friendly place. New York City is now a village in which everyone - even a visiting tourist - is connected. Store clerks look customers in the eye, smile, and offer help. Taxi drivers are polite and act grateful for business. Everyone is helpful. Everyone is patient.

Yes, there are crowds - huge crowds. What else can one expect in a city that size. But the crowds are now simply large groups of people with a common goal and a recognition that everyone else in the crowd is a person, an individual, and precious. Rudeness, pushing, and shoving - even in the train station - is rare or non-existent. We are in this together, and we realize this every moment of every day. Being in New York City was fun and joyous.

Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, the outer wall is repaired and construction inside is ahead of schedule. People are back at work - aware of the threat, aware of the scar, but determined and grateful for each day and for everyone around them.

This is an amazing victory - a very American victory. The terrorists and those who support them expected that the bombings would have a devastating effect on us. They thought we would be frightened, demoralized, and even paralyzed by fear.

The bombings have changed our sense of safety and undermined the fundamental blind faith we had in our security as a nation. But something even more precious has replaced that which was lost. We have a renewed sense of us as a people and as individuals. We are a village. New York City is a happy place with friendly people. And this is our strength as a nation.

Something else rose from the ashes. We have a renewed sense of equality. We are each precious and we are each a survivor. We see it in each others' eyes. And we know this by looking each other in the eye - instead of looking away. We are seeking the connection.We have new heroes - not the giants of myth or the standard-bearers of politics. Our new heroes are fire fighters and police. Our new heroes are people who stepped in to help with the tragedies. Heroes are the people who kept going, kept doing their jobs no matter what. Our new heroes are each other.

On this Fourth of July, the celebrations were magnificent because the celebrations were much more than flag waving and fireworks. This year we truly celebrated being Americans and fighting for liberty and justice for all.

Copyright © 2002 Compliance Action. Originally appeared in Compliance Action, Vol. 7, No. 9, 7/02