america the complacent
com·pla·cen·cy ( n.) - 1. A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy. 2. An instance of contented self-satisfaction.
I think there no better day than today to write this. On the 10th anniversary on 9/11 as I sit here and watch all of the “meaningful” posts on Facebook, I wonder how many people truly live what they so publicly preach? I myself am guilty of it. I think the majority of Americans are. We are so used to being taken care of. So used to having our freedom. So blissfully unaware of the dangers that exist outside of our borders, that on a day-to-day basis we DO forget. We all promise not to, but the reality is we do. Life gets in the way.
Like everyone else, I remember that day vividly. Where I was and exactly what I was doing. How I cried, the fear I felt, and the helplessness that overcame me. We had never been attacked like that before on American soil. It was so unexpected and truly unthinkable. And then in the days, weeks and months that followed, the news coverage started to taper off…security measures increased…permanent memorials were being planned…and sadly, complacency set in. Most Americans went back to their lives and business as usual. Unless of course you were one of those directly affected by the horrors of that day.
And like so many others, I have watched and re-watched all of the film footage, documentaries and analysts and cried each time like it was the first. However, what I am about to suggest will anger some, and I am OK with that. So here it is.
I think the time has come to stop crying and start acting. As meaningful as 9/11 will always be to all of us, we can no longer mourn for the fallen. We can NEVER allow ourselves to forget, but we need to stand up as a nation and demand that this never does happen again. We need to take notice of what goes on around us. Not just when major tragedy strikes, but every day. We need to educate ourselves about the world and what is happening around us, not just what happens in our own backyards. There will come a time when a war will be fought on American soil. I’m fairly certain of it. If only because it happens in most every other country in this world except for the U.S. – it is only a matter of time. We will not be spared forever. The odds are against us.
But this complacent behavior applies to many, many things in America. How many of us really understand the way our government works? How many actually exercise their right to vote? How many of us are obliviously eating tainted food or are unaware of the way our food is grown, raised or manufactured?
As a nation we are eating what is being fed to us…both literally and figuratively. I think the time has come to wake up. To return to our upstart roots. I propose we make 9/11 a day of resurrection. Not only a day of giving life to the fallen through their memories, but a day of learning, sharing and action. So that we never have to live through such a disaster again. It is not OK to succumb to apathy. We must not only feel, but act.
God Bless the fallen, the rescue workers and our military. May more Americans take it upon themselves to help protect and serve, in any capacity, our fellow countrymen and fellow humans alike.
