IMPRESSIONS
Americans face their toughest challenge
Jackie Martin
News Editor
September 11, 2001 is a day that will be forever
imprinted on the minds of Americans. Americans across the country stood by
helpless as hijacked planes crashed into three of our country’s most prized
buildings. It was an attack that caught America blindsided.
After the attack on the World Trade Center took
place and there were reports of more missing planes, American’s hearts were
filled with fear.
On the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus
students could be seen traveling faster than normal across the campus. Many of
them were trying to find a phone to get in touch with loved ones all over the
east coast.
With a report that the plane that crashed in
Somerset had actually crashed in Pittsburgh, phone lines in the dorm rooms rang
off the hook as parents, grandparents, and friends called to make sure students
where okay.
After the initial shock wore off, people were left
filled with tons of questions. “Why would someone do this?” and “What are we
going to do now?” are the two most prominent questions being asked. The truth
is that no one has an answer for these questions.
Not only has the United States suffered incredible
structural damage but it has also witnessed an inconceivable death toll. No one
is willing to even estimate what the final number will be. When that question
pops up the room generally falls silent, whether it’s at a press conference with
a high ranking official or in a classroom.
As if watching the Twin Towers collapse and the
Pentagon burn isn’t enough, Americans also have to face the fact that their soil
just became the site for the worst terrorist attack in history.
That might prove to be one of the hardest things to
deal with. Americans are not used to showing vulnerability and generally have
the mindset that we are safe and immortal. It’s always a shock to see that the
United States is the focal point of a terrorist cult.
President Bush got it right when he said, “ . . .
terrorist acts can shake the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they
cannot touch the foundation of America.” Because Americans carry a large amount
of pride, we will never let some inhumane person or group defeat us.
Editors note: This article originally appeared in the
October print edition of the Pittsburgh Standard
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