As the eve of the 9/11 anniversary approaches, and the casual patriots feverishly thump their chests and a disconnected public vehemently rushes to weep in an obnoxious sea of yellow ribbon magnets and American flag decals, I feel obligated to note the local paper’s symbolic gesture of diplomatically concealing (eleventh page) the article: “Deadliest Month for US Troops in Afghanistan.” The gesture is not an issue of media inaccuracy nor is it parochial journalism; rather, the gesture is symbolic of our nation’s catastrophic flaw and it’s most unforgivable exploit… Americans have allowed themselves the hubris of memorializing the pain they personally felt on that day as the greatest catastrophe, when in reality the supreme tragedy lies in the nation’s subsequent willingness to ignore the tangible sacrifices of the men and women who have fought since 2001 to reconcile the injustices of that day.
The righteous warriors have done nothing but willingly accept the burden of war on themselves and their families. Their lives have been indelibly changed, only to be recognized by the unnoticing majority when a heartrending anniversary compels them to do so.
Thus, as the nation is obliged to “remember” a horrific day, I humbly ask that it forever take ownership of the suffering felt by its silent warrior-minority since that day, because that burden will be carried well beyond the end of gratuitous news coverage.
No comments:
Post a Comment