How vividly do you remember those days and weeks immediately following 9/11? Did you make sure your flags were prominently displayed? Did you feel both angry, and humbled? Most importantly, did you feel a deep sense of connectedness to your fellow Americans, regardless of race, religion, or political party?
For quite a while, months in fact, after we were attacked, unity through a heightened civility with each other, was our way of showing just how great a nation we are – we chose to show the world that we the people of the United States would come together, be good to each other, respond to our crisis by strengthening our bond to our fellow citizens.
It went beyond letting the car into your lane rather than cutting off your fellow driver; it was a profound understanding that if we didn’t stick together, we were allowing those who wanted to destroy us – succeed.
Because, after all, just as President Lincoln implored his fellow Americans during our civil war, so we seemed to intuitively comprehend in those days after 9/11/2001: a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Ten years later, we’ve not just lost that sense of unity, that determination to work together to make things whole again – we’ve gone to the opposite extreme. We’ve become mean, our political discourse reduced to name calling and demonizing people with ideas or positions other than our own; we have become a house divided.
So today, on the 10th anniversary of the day we were viciously and shockingly attacked by people who hate us, I ask you, my fellow Boomers, to start yet another social movement – something we do so well. I’m asking that we start a conscious and concerted movement to reignite mutual respect whether or not we may agree, replace venom with virtue, in essence, make civility cool.
We Boomers still run this nation; with our vast number as well as our wallets, as heads of corporations, as the majority in both houses of Congress. We can make this happen. Remember how you felt after 9/11/2001 – how we all treated each other – and make it so once again.
For quite a while, months in fact, after we were attacked, unity through a heightened civility with each other, was our way of showing just how great a nation we are – we chose to show the world that we the people of the United States would come together, be good to each other, respond to our crisis by strengthening our bond to our fellow citizens.
It went beyond letting the car into your lane rather than cutting off your fellow driver; it was a profound understanding that if we didn’t stick together, we were allowing those who wanted to destroy us – succeed.
Because, after all, just as President Lincoln implored his fellow Americans during our civil war, so we seemed to intuitively comprehend in those days after 9/11/2001: a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Ten years later, we’ve not just lost that sense of unity, that determination to work together to make things whole again – we’ve gone to the opposite extreme. We’ve become mean, our political discourse reduced to name calling and demonizing people with ideas or positions other than our own; we have become a house divided.
So today, on the 10th anniversary of the day we were viciously and shockingly attacked by people who hate us, I ask you, my fellow Boomers, to start yet another social movement – something we do so well. I’m asking that we start a conscious and concerted movement to reignite mutual respect whether or not we may agree, replace venom with virtue, in essence, make civility cool.
We Boomers still run this nation; with our vast number as well as our wallets, as heads of corporations, as the majority in both houses of Congress. We can make this happen. Remember how you felt after 9/11/2001 – how we all treated each other – and make it so once again.
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