For the first time in 11 years, I noticed a pushback against people that wanted to talk about this date and what it means to them and what they remember of their own perspective from the day, and how it has affected them since. The point is that it’s “not about you”. I tend to disagree on the overall perspective.
On September 11th, the future of our nation, from the economy to foreign relations and basic human interaction were inexorably and undeniably altered. Without 9/11, does the nation go to war? Does the typical economic downturn associated with a war blossom into a full blown recession? Without 9/11, am I still working in Minnesota, or does a more strident economy and job market exist that opens a new door for me somewhere else? Do my friends and loved ones join the military and serve tours overseas. angry at those that would destroy my country?
Though, obviously, I wasn’t as viscerally effected by the attacks in Washington, New York and aboard an airliner in Pennsylvania (I’ve said in the past that the Minneapolis Bridge Collapse touched me on a more personal level) like those who lost loved ones, it’s ignorant to say that I wasn’t effected, or that it wasn’t about me. Nearly 3000 of my countrymen were killed, and the nation I live in stands where it is today because of the attacks 11 years ago today. Forgive me if it sticks in my memory.
All that aside, in the moment, for a week after the attack, I craved sports. The football season had just started, I had friends that were supposed to come down for the Notre Dame-Purdue game that weekend to stay with me. Most of all, I didn’t want to wallow in grief. I wanted good old fashioned, unimportant games to distract my memory. The players didn’t want to play, and in retrospect, I accept and admire their humanity, but I desperately wanted them to. I wanted some thing normal.
Now the country is in a partisan malaise, with a faltering economy and, lest I remind you, a continuing war to try to prevent something like what we saw from ever happening again. We still need the mirthful diversion of sports. So NFL, make sure your players remain healthy, so the game remains mirthful. NHL, work it out with your players so we can at least HAVE your sport. MLB, don’t ever change.
(PS, I am actually happy to see the backlash at those who still want to grieve over 9/11 and reminisce about what went on for the day for them. It shows that bit by bit, the country is moving on)
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