The New Yorker's "Talk of the Town" section (September 24,2001) - Response

September is a month of remembrance. As we cling to what was and the hopes of what will be, we must never forget what is.

Ten years ago the Twin Towers crumbled to the ground. The footage casted on the news stations looked like a scene from a Michael Bay film (they still do). John Updike, however, lived the footage with the rest of New York.  He watched the towers fall from an apartment. He watched people die.

"With all its failings, this is a country worth fighting for." - John Updike

Every morning we wake up and repeat the same routine; shower, breakfast, brush our teeth, etc... Most of us even interact on the same routine. We "don't have the time" to reach out and say hello or lend a helping hand, because we would be out of our routine and late to our destination.

The morning of September 11, 2001 was different. It was a tradgedy, yes. But it was also a triumph. That morning people broke out of their routines. Accross the country we watched people join hands.

Its sad, really, that it takes a significant event to change that. You would think that even on auto pilot people would be able to do the right thing...

Today, I challenge you to make a change. Fight for that unity, fight for the country. Reach out, say hello, smile or wave at someone on the street. Do something! You never realize the impact that makes.