Remembering September 11, 2001

Monday will mark the 22nd Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that forever changed the world. 

I remember it like it was yesterday, as I am sure many of you do. I recall feelings of uncertainty, wondering what was coming next. What we all thought was a tragic accident would quickly turn to an orchestrated attack on civilians unlike anything America had ever experienced. In an instance, New York, the United States, and the world as we knew it was different.  

We felt every emotion possible:  fear, outrage, confusion, worry…you name it, at some point or another that day we felt it. And though we had just experienced tragedy, I recall one feeling very well—the feeling of pride in America and its citizens. 

Almost 22 years later, my optimism and belief in American exceptionalism remains, but I admittedly have grown frustrated with the fact that not only is September 11, 2001 seemingly an afterthought, but forgotten to many, and to others just another day.

Recently, I tweeted “In NYC most political groups stand down on 9/11 out of respect for the tragic events of that day.” I did not know that would be such a controversial message, but to members of the Democratic Socialists of America it was, as I was met with many nasty and vile responses.

Members of the DSA told me to “shut up,” others told me to “take a seat and keep quiet,” some even told me to forget about 9/11 because “it’s been 20 years.” Well, my message to all of them 10 days ago is the same as it is now. I will not shut up, I will not keep quiet—I will never forget.

As I have every year since the tragic events of 9/11 that saw nearly 3,000 innocent people taken from us, I will suspend all political activities that I have control over and will spend my time honoring those we lost, those we continue to lose, their families, and our first responders. I hope you will join me in doing the same.

God Bless the United States of America