POV: September 11, 2001
I don't understand how someone could do something like that. Personaly I know it's still on everyone's mind, especialy now that the 1 year mark is coming up. But still no awnsers on why? I`m sure there are reasons but no excuse could justify those attacks. And I don't know how someone could bring themselves to do something like that, brainwashed or not. WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?
--Jamie, 15, Baltimore, MD
The stupid people who did this thought it was going to scare us. They thought it was going to make us run and hide, but really they are the ones running!!!!!
--Heather, 14, KY
I hate bin Laden. He ruined our country but as a song says, the United States will prevail. I love country music and when I heard this song I was very moved by it.
--Kelly, 15, Jefferson, WI
I am thinking very strongly about 9-11. Two relatives of mine were injured in that tragic event. One being killed and the other paralyzed waist down. My mother and my father. I have been going through this gradually, trying to get over this. It will be a year in less then 5 days. And I'm scared to death. My father is no longer with us, but thank God he didn't take my mother. I am disgusted that anyone in their right minds would blame this on anyone of a different race, the abortion clinics, and the opposite. The man on TV this morning made me nauseous to think that he even had the slightest idea that they (mentioned earlier) started this catastrophe.
--Megan, 16, Lebanon, IN
September 11 was a day that tragedy came upon us. Not only in the World Trade Centers but at the Pentagon and in the field where those several brave men tried to stop another attack from hitting an important landmark in the United States. We lost thousands of lives but no matter what happened then, it is all behind us. We are moving on to be united as one, and as brave as each and every one of us are, we shall overcome. I want to thank each and every one of the firefighters and policemen, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and each and every person that cares and feels sympathy for all of the 9/11 victims. I know I was crying when I first saw the attacks and I hope that whoever did this is punished but I also hope that what I said makes a difference on how you think of 9/11. What we went through, I will be able to tell my children. I will be able to explain to them just as my parents explained to me what was happening.
--Elizabeth, 11, Colrain, MA
What happened on Sept. 11, not only did it hurt so many people but it also made us stronger in so many ways.
--Cristal, 16, Austin, TX
After September 11 happened, I finally found out how important my sister and my parents mean to me. I have been fighting with them for over two years, and I feel horrible about myself, and I finally made up with all of them and we are a happy family again.
--Elaina, 16, Riverview, FL
A little bit. It's just scary knowing that we are in war and someone could drop a bomb and kill us all anytime. I never thought I would be in a generation with terrorists, I thought our world had grown up, matured, but I guess not. The way I look at it is that war isn't an anwser to anything.
--Ashley, 15, Salt Lake City, UT
When it first happened, I was very frightened of what would happen next. Was this just the beginning of the attacks? Would there be a full-out war? I was very upset seeing people on the news burning American flags, disrespecting our country and the lives that were lost. And watching on the news constantly to see what was happening next. It is very depressing to think about...I have cried multiple times about it all.
--Nicole, 16, San Carlos, CA
I have been scared since the 9-11 attacks. I think it is because I am Spanish and I look like I'm Afghani. It makes me feel sad that they are linking me to all people from Afghanastan. Just because one Afgan (or a few) may be terrorists or they are bad, doesn't make them all. I know that recently a woman got attacked a a local Wal-Mart because she looked Afghani. :,,,,( (crying)
--Rachel, 12, Pensacola, FL
At first, I was angry and wanted to do something drastic. I also felt said because so many innocent people had to die for such an idiotic thing. But now I'm coping with it. I still see about it on the news, but I can handle that now.
--Zakiya, 13, Orangeburg, SC, 1/28/01
I couldn't believe September 11. I was at school when I heard. It was around 2pm. I was stunned. I skipped last class and ran home. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was glued to the TV set for at least 4 hours. I didn't move! My mum came in and her eyes were nearly popping out of her head! I hope this reaches somebody in the U.S. because I have been dying to talk to somebody from there.
--Peter, 14, Glasgow, Scotland
After September 11, I started wondering more about our country and the people. Why do we do things so late? Why after 9-11, we take more safety measures than before? I feel sooo angry that other people bomb and make others' lives horrible when their life is bad. Try to make peace. And now, four months after the attacks in the U.S., alot ofp eople are saying, "Oh, I am not going to fly in an airplane, it could be hijacked", even though we havepoeple fighting for us to be safe and secure and we are still frightened.
--Stacy, Dumfries, VA, 1/27/01
There's just one thing I don't understand. Why does our country need a reason or threat to unite? I mean, should we have done it in the first place? If we had, would this have really been an issue, would it have really happened? Why is our country reuniting anyway? Is it the power, the revenge, superiority? What is it? Why can't we all just unite all the time? What's going to happen when this is over? Are we just going to become more prejudiced against others, and go back to individual lives, or stay together and help keep stuff like this from ever happening again? I'm just really sick of the way people act, especially when it's mostly for the power. I wish that people would think more clearly. Why do bad actions have to take place? Why can't we just talk about it like actual civilized people? What has happened to this world?!!
--Siobhan, 16, Kaysville, UT
I was really scared and I was paranoid all the time, like when I was walking to school and going across the Golden Gate Bridge.
--Leah, 13, Daly City, CA
Being only a few blocks away from where it happened (I attend Stuyvesant HS), it was hard to get over it. I used to get upset at people speaking about it as if they were experts on the topic.
--Asya, 14, Forest Hills, NY
No, I feel just the same as I did before the attacks. But I have always been worried about world events, especially in the Middle East. So I guess I'm not a good example of the usual teenager. I think most of the kids my age were really upset by what happened on September 11, and that's why there's this newfound patriotism.
--Allison, 17, Louisville, KY
Yes, I'm scared, because what if it hits us next?
--Melvin, 14, San Francisco, CA
I think it is horrible what they did on September 11. I think it is horrible what our policies are in the Middle East as well. Our love and greed for oil has cost millions of lives, of our doing. I love my country and I love Jesus, that's what I know for sure. I hope the terrorists are stopped, but I think we need to set a goal about not needing oil so we can getout of all those nations.
--Brandon, 18, Lawton, OK
The attacks just made me appreciate my life much more because it made me realize I can die at any moment. I have been living my life better since I had the wakeup call...I did feel depressed and very scared, but I'm dealing with that right now.
--Michelle, 17, Kennesaw, GA
No feelings of fear or anything, just the feeling that life is precious and you have to live each moment to its best...I think the best thing to do right now is enjoy it and keep going, and planning for the future and living by the moments.
--Leah, 18, Culver City, CA
I felt that I was going to burst out...all my life turned over.
--Mitat, 16, Dobrich, Bulgaria
I feel that everything that happened on September 11 was horrible, but it showed us that we aren't also on top of things like we think we are. I admit that I feel a little hatred towards people of that culture, but it's hard not to. Also, I feel that yes, we need to take action, but that people need to realize this is not WWIII, it's merely a war of revenge.
--Brittney, 18, Ohio
I think I have been feeling fear because of the terrorist attacks. For example, my grandma wants me to come visit her in Germany, but it seems SOOO scary going on a plane overseas and coming back.
--MaryAnna, 13, Hinesville, GA
I have been experiencing tons of feelings about the terrorist attacks on America. Ever since we had the attacks, students at school have gone wild doing stupid stuff, like bomb threats, bringing water guns to school and putting them up to people's backs and saying they were real guns. I think that stuff is just stupid and don't understand why people would do such things.
--Lori, 14, Mt. Vernon, OH
I feel nervous going into subways and certain places.
--Niurka, 21, Bronx, NY
I see it as making our country stronger, and helping America become closer. Yeah, I mean I was a little afraid and shaken up when I heard. I think that it was actually a message. There's so much racism and bad things going on in America and we're supposed to be like the greatest country, but by some of our actions we are showing that we may be the most selfish, and rudest country. I mean i love where i live and everything, but sometimes people just need to get a damn clue!
--Mahandra, 16, Albuquerque, NM
I wouldn't say I am depressed. I feel like our country is strong enough to work through this together. I would even go as far as to say that the terrorist attacks bettered us in a way. It brought Americans together, and restored our patriotism. I'm not afraid of other attacks either. Whatever happens, happens. As for anger-- anger should be a natural reaction for any of us to feel.
--Alicia, 18, Hammond, IN
I'll be taking a plane trip shortly to Canada for Thanksgiving, and I was thinking about what I would do if someone tried to take over the plane. Pretty much my thoughts are: I'm not going to die sitting down.
--Amanda, 15, Chesapeake, VA
I think the most apparent emotion since the attack from the terrorists is anger. I find it cowardly that they would blatantly attack a building full of civilians. Sure, it's been said tehy are cowards, but a lot of people who SAY it don't feel it. I live in Canada, but just the fact that they would jsut so openly attack innocent people like that really burns me up inside. I have no anxiety or fear towards what's happened. I believe the better people will win. It's not my place to say who is better, but most of us know in our hearts who these people are.
--Ken, 20, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
My friends and stuff are really scared of the fact. They are always saying something like "we are going to die". Me, I don't think it is anything to be joking about. I think that it is great that America is coming together, but I also think it is sad it had to come to this. Never has there been so many movie star and singers on TV talking about how they love America. At least we've got that. As far as feeling depressed about it, I think that is what we don't need. We need positive attitudes and thinking.
--Sidney, 14, Old Fort, TN
I have been feeling deep sadness for all the victims, especially for those born and unborn children that will not see their mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. I give thanks to God every day that I am fortunate enough to have my family alive and well with me. I also feel a deep emotion for the Afghan women and children who also suffer much as well.
--Alexandra, 14, Simsonville, SC
What news images or headlines surrounding September 11 stick in your mind the most...or freaked you out the most?
The most shocking of course was to see the buildings crumble before my eyes. But what stands clear are all the heroic stories of many Americans, espeically those looking for lost family members.
--Alexandra, 14, Simsonville, SC
All the people dying and maybe all my family getting killed now.
--Sheridan, 10, Oklahoma City, OK
How they showed the towers collapsing...over and over and over again.
--Asya, 14, Forest Hills, NY
The people in that building knowing that they couldn't get out, and just waiting to plunge to their death, and the people that called home and left messages on the answering machines, and their wives and kids having to hear their last words, not being able to tell them they loved them.
--Ashley, 15, Salt Lake City, UT
When the airplane flew across the sky and slammed into the twin towers, it stuck in my head even though I didn't want it to.
--Leigh, 15, Hacketstown, NJ
The headline that said "ARE WE NEXT?" That one scared me.
--Leah, 13, Daly City, CA
Burning flags, people running from the buildings, all the talk about missing family members, how a man was helping his friend in a wheelchair down the stairs.
--Nicole, 16, San Carlos, CA
That weird picture that CNN posted with the smoke and all that had like a devil face in it...
--Leah, 18, Culver City, CA
Really, the whole scenario freaked me out. The one that sticks in my mind is seeing people jump off the building...because they didn't see any other way. It saddens me really!
--Michelle, 17, Kennesaw, GA
Nothing really freaked me out, it just made me mad 'cause those bastards killed alot of innocent people. And I hate them for it.
--Sasha, 14, Corpus Christi, TX
The very first thing that freaked me out was the fact that is was a war. A literal "world war" that involved not just two countries, but the entire world. I'm not worried about war, and I always thought there would be another in my time, so I was kinda expecting it. What freaked me out the most was the fact that there is an Anthrax scare that is SO obviously related to "Operation Enduring Freedom". But what's scary is that it can be anyone doing it. Maybe even an inside extremist who just doesn't like the government for some reason. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
--Ken, 20, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The kids who had parents die, especially both parents. Watching the news and seeing the terrorists celebrate their attack on us made me...well, words can't really describe. It was a weird feeling, like "How can someone hate us this much??!!" That's been in my head since that day.
--Alicia, 18, Hammond, IN
The pictures of the Twin Towers smoking and to look at how many innocent people died for just trying to live regular lives.
--Lori, 14, Mt. Vernon, OH
The thing that stuck in my mind the most is that all those innocent people died in the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, and we are still letting bin Laden's mom and his brother live here and all the others like that. If we don't get them out of here, then how can we not be scared?
--Sidney, 14, Old Fort, TN
When I first saw everything happen is when it hit me the hardest. The replays just got old after a while.
--Brittney, 18, Ohio
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