I remember watching the news coverage on TV, utterly shocked and with tears running down my face. But at the same time I felt quite excited and hopeful. I assumed that people would sit back and think about the events of 9/11, that there would be debates about globalisation and capitalism, America as a superpower, the dominance of the West… I thought that as a result Western governments would pay more attention to the needs and views of the Muslim world, that there would be better understanding, harmony, world peace…
Terribly silly, I know, but I just felt so wonderfully optimistic and positive at the time. I know I will never feel that way again about anything (world politics, relationships, work…) and that is depressing.
Oh, my dear.
There was a moment, wasn't there? It was all so big and so unavoidable for weeks. And the sense that something had changed forever everywhere. This was something monstrous, Biblical that was going to create huge ripples through time. This was a tipping point and could be hearalding American self-awareness. Wow, imagine if the Haves learnt to share!
This was my reaction on the day, but since then I try and stay away from anything emotionaly charged about the whole event. I don't trust it anymore. I really understand where Id was coming from in their flesh creepy reaction to the little girl with a shrine. I think this reading of 'mourning child communes with shrine on international telly', is a reaction to the stomach churning manipulation of grief by the media throughout the whole spectacle, and how that served Bush's purpose. Another innosence I lost that day.
Like Grant, thought that it was anti-capitalists. The symbolism was too heavy. I remember waiting in the following days as the speculation about Muslim extremists quickly became biographies of Isama bin Laden and thought any minute now there is going to be a McVey turn around.... Still not sure what history will make of this whole mess. |
