I remember sitting in my fifth grade class when all of a sudden the school went on lockdown. We weren’t given any explanations as to what was going on, but we had to stay in our classrooms. The siren usually used for intruder alerts sounded off and everyone was directed to a safe place.
I wasn’t scared or nervous as much as I was confused. I, like everyone else, just wanted to be let in on this big secret. Little did I know that this event would change my life forever.
As the date approaches, I’ve decided to stray from the traditional form of remembering and take a look at the effects of Sept. 11.
This odd numbered date has made everyone’s life just a bit more stressful to say the least. The chore of traveling and going through airport security, the unfortunate stereotypical paranoia of Middle Eastern travelers and the birth of a new form of racism is what 9/11 has left me with.
I am someone who loves to travel and traveled via plane a lot. Now if someone mentions taking a trip, I literally cringe at the thought. Airports once served as a major part of the adventure of tourism, but now it’s just an unnecessary stress.
I long for the days that airport security lasted only five minutes as opposed to the minimum of 30 it now takes. Before I can get to my departing gate, my shoes, my bags, my person and basically my soul all have to go through security.
Another major component of traveling and a personal favorite is meeting new people. Talking to Mother, she recalls me striking up a conversation with anyone that would listen. I haven’t lost my love for new acquaintances nor loss my gift of traveling gab, but I’ve noticed where people are less willing to converse.
There used to be a pleasant roar of random various conversations, but now everyone’s just focused on getting to and from their destinations. The only guaranteed conversations being held are the flight attendants doing their job of greeting and performing demonstrations and the pilots giving their updates. A lot more people are hesitant to speak.
I just named things that I’m affected by, but what about the other people involved, specifically the travelers of Middle Eastern countries? To watch people fidget in their seats or hope and pray that the man wearing a turban isn’t a (suicide) bomber is saddening.
I’m not going to lie and say that I’ve never feared foreigners or alien travelers, but to approach things from a different perspective made me reevaluate my behavior. It’s sad that people have to introduce themselves with the disclaimer “I’m not a terrorist.” It’s a new form of racial profiling by civilians, it’s a new form of racism and overall, it’s wrong.
So what now? I’m not saying you should be terrified of traveling or that you should travel without a care, but just be mindful of your behavior; don’t stare at people as they board the plane and treat people like they belong. I don’t discourage anyone from traveling either; people need to learn or be reintroduced to relating to each other.
