Where Were You On September 11th 2001?

I cannot believe it’s been ten years already since what is now described as one of the worst days in American history occured — and I was here (in America) to witness it, sort of. I didn’t see the destruction with my eyes; I only saw it on television and the internet, and I’m grateful for that. Even the things I saw on the television and the internet were too much to behold. I cannot imagine what went on with the people who saw the destruction, and especially the people who were in the destruction. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

I vividly remember how the news of the incident broke to me, and I remember what happened for the next hour or so. After that, everything is a blur. I was in class that morning. It was my Geometry class on the third floor with Mr. Dranbauer, an obese Caucasian man who made jokes of himself and laughed mostly by himself. One did not have to think too hard or too deep to realize that he had some issues, issues that stemmed from his large size and led to problematic romantic  relationships – which he never ceased talking about.

We were in the middle of class when another teacher came to the door and sought his attention. He went to the teacher, a female, and they whispered something between each other. Whatever it was, Mr. Dranbauer came back looking like he had just been told that he was fatter than he actually thought he was. He began to ramble on about Geometry, but it was obvious that something else was sucking his attention. When he couldn’t hold it anymore, he turned on the television.

The twin towers were smoking. “Holy shit!” That was what he said. It was not a moment for him to control his French among his students, nor was it a moment for his students to ponder at the French their teacher spoke. Everyone was confused and panicked. I did not know what was going on. I did not know the buildings that were on fire, nor did I know why they were on fire, who set them on fire, or the implications of them being on fire. But since everyone seemed afraid, it was only natural that I, too, had something to be afraid of.

Almost immediately, a shaky voice came through the speakers saying that we needed to evacuate the building. A null and void attempt to evacuate us in order began. As soon as I stepped a foot outside, my mother grabbed my hand and pulled me toward her car in what was a very speedy walk. I did not know how she got there. Or when she got there. Parents were scrambled everywhere outside, each snatching their child(ren) the way my mother snatched me. We drove home. And that was when I found out what happened.

I had only been living in America for a year when the attack occurred, but I was impressed at the response of the people and of the government. Knowing where I came from, I knew there was no way my people will respond in this way. There were firemen, policemen, and military men everywhere. There weren’t reports of guns without amunitions or fire trucks without water or military men who blew their sirens unnecessarily and shot at civilians when they didn’t get out of their way fast enough. Things worked the way they were supposed to work. People did the best they could do and left the rest to whatever God they served. I don’t need to mention that the opposite happens in Nigeria: leave everything to God, and then, do the following: pray, cry, complain, pray, cry, complain. Repeat until nothing happens.

On September 11th 2001, I saw a united nation. Americans wept for the pain of their fellow citizens and for the injury inflicted on their country. Brave men and women risked their lives and ran into burning buildings to save other people. At the end of it all, America’s flag still stood tall. It is true what they say: adversity heightens passion. I only wish Nigerians were half as patriotic as Americans. Patriotism goes beyond screaming, ‘Naija 4 Lyfe’ or inscribing it on our tee shirts.

May the souls of those who lost their lives on September 11th 2001 rest in perfect peace. May the souls of the uniformed men, reporters, and civilians who have lost their lives as a result of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan also rest in perfect peace.  God bless the United States of America.  Amen.