Reflection

Yesterday marked the ten year anniversary of 9/11, and I have really taken the time to reflect on that event and the decade following it. My memories of that day are fuzzy, and I can't remember my exact reaction. I was eleven years old. It was beyond my understanding of the world that this could happen. In a series of days, I learned that there are people out there who hate, and do things like this. For my generation, we grew up alot in a matter of a day. But that was the extent, I was not developmentally capable of having an empathetic reaction. Last night I read the news stories on the commemorations, and they had a news clip that was from The 9-11. And so I watched what unfolded ten years ago, and it was like seeing it for the first time. There were images that I had never seen; I didn't see the actual collapse and people running out and down the streets as an eleven year old. I didn't see people covered in rubble emerging. And I think that was my parents protecting me, they wanted me exposed to what happened, and understand. But they did not want their child seeing the full extent of suffering. They (or any other parent) could never prevent an attack like this, but I believe all parents did what they could to protect us emotionally that day. But what I did see was my country coming together- I did see the firefighters working endlessly, I saw President Bush continually giving support, I saw my school and community offer up support by wearing red, white, and blue, and sending cards to New York.
As the years have gone by, various aspects of my life have been directly affected by that day. My seventh grade dance recital's theme was "America": each dance level was a branch of the military (mine was Navy) and I remember all of the dances and our songs had an American theme, many of the songs were written as a tribute to 9-11. I visited NYC when I was 16, and my main memory of that is visiting Ground Zero, and the surrounding areas. The most striking is the church (I honestly do not know the name) about a block away that was entirely untouched, and was a shelter to the firefighters and others during the days after. The entire church is filled with cards, stuffed animals, blankets, and many other items that Americans sent to honor or help those affected. The pews are scuffed and scratched from the equipment of firefighters coming in to rest. Cots line one wall with blankets still on them that were sent from all over for the volunteers. Of everywhere I have ever visited, this is probably the most moving and influential, because of the reality of what happened there.
And then there was the day Osama was found and killed. I clearly remember the moment I learned what happened. One of my friends, who is extremely conservative, said on Facebook, "I have never been more proud to be an American" and he said something to the effect of applauding President Obama's speech. Immediately, I went to the news page and saw that Osama's face took over the entire page, and the headline was that he had been captured and killed. My thought: (and pardon the language, but this is one time that no other can explain the emotion) 'damn. we really got him.' It was something that I honestly thought would never happen. In the midst of being in France, I had never been more proud to be an American, and I wish that I had been home to see it unfold.
As fond as I am of some good Mexican food, French pastries and perfume, or Italian shoes and spaghetti; nothing will ever come close to the love and pride I feel every time I see Old Glory waving below a crisp blue sky, honoring those who have given their lives to protect the soil that flag looks over, and celebrating "the truths that we hold to be self evident of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". And there is nothing, no terrorist attack, no stock market crash, economy, or political debate that will ever change the pride of our country. History and personal experience have taught me that yes, America does fall, but it gets back up even stronger than before.

Controversy

~~~~~I love few things more than a good case of controversy, and recently the UNC campus has been flooded with it. A Christian a-capella group asked a member to leave due to his homosexuality. The group's constitution is based off of Biblical teachings;and their mission is to lead lives reflecting a Christian lifestyle, which means adhering to the Bible. The question is, do these guidelines go against the anti-discrimation policy of the University? I have very mixed feelings about the issue, because of my Christian faith and my personal beliefs in a tolerant society. So please, anyone who reads this, don't attack me. I mean for this in no way to be condemning or I am rasing questions about a very specific case that I believe is relevant to our times. I am very open to people's beliefs and life choices. This post will err to the side of conservatism, but that is because my emphasis is on the group, which does have specific rules and guidelines for its members.
~~~~~~Many groups on campus have condemned Psalm 100 (name of a capella group) for practicing discrimination. But where is the line between having standards and expectations, and being tolerant? I believe that this group is perfectly within their right to remove members who are not adhering to Biblical principles if that is in their Constitution. To join this group is a personal choice, and going into it, I am sure that members are well aware of their expectations. My hope is that they are being fair in monitoring their members' behavior. Someone who is caught cheating or stealing should be penalized as well (I would hope in ANY organization this is the case....).
~~~ There are certain organizations I know that I would not join because I will not agree to their doctrine. I know I would not join a church whose message is that I need to stay home and pop out kids forever while never cutting my hair. I know that I do not agree with or accept this, therefore I will not be particpating. Other people can, and that is their choice entirely. I do not expect this theoretical church to change their doctrine because I do not like aspects of it. Another example is that many sororties have a no alchohol policy. Attending sorority sponsored events intoxicated, or being intoxicated while wearing letters can result in dismissal. Women are aware of the standard, and the consequence. If removed, the group is not discriminating her for consuming alchol. She is being dismissed for breaking a rule.
~~~~~But then, the other side to this issue I find fault in is: to what degree of accountablilty are other members being held to? Being that they are a campus organization who recieves University funding, do they have the right to ask members to leave based off of sexual orientation or views that go aganinst their principles? UNC has a strict anti-discrimination policy which I fully support. Every single person should be able to live and thrive in a community without fear of persecution and judgement. This is a very small scale issue for what I believe to be a broad issue for our generation. How do we integrate our beliefs with others? How do uphold these beliefs while still being open to other people's choices? I look forward to seeing the outcome of this situation and the campus reaction. As I stated in the opening paragraph, I meant this post in no way to be judgemental or offensive. I simply wanted to record an issue, and try to give it meaning. I am personally accepting of many different people, and their life choices.