Thursday
November 29, 2001

Every time I see the photo of the New York City Firefighters raising the American Flag on the site of the once majestic World Trade Center, a bitter tear comes to my eye. I flinch each time I see the video clips of the two airplanes purposefully flying into the Twin Towers. I find myself avoiding stories of the many victims and heroes of the tragedy, even as at the same time I am inexplicably drawn to them. It is a new lesson for my generation about what it means to be an American. A lesson that had escaped me up until September 11.

Baseball, Apple Pie, Chevrolet. These cultural icons long stood out to me as symbols of the goodness that is America. Sure, the strikes took some of the polish off of baseball, the apple pie is now more likely to be from Marie Callenders and Chevrolet has fallen from pre-eminence as the number one selling car in America. But falling from grace is also part of the American experience. And of course, we love a comeback story.

We are a country where social barriers, although they most certainly exist, are not insurmountable. The good ol'boy network, although alive and well, can be breached, albeit sometimes with great difficulty. The American dream, in which you work hard and long and are rewarded for your long, hard work is still alive and well. Look at all the "Microsoft Millionaires". They are living proof that being in the right place at the right time with a few brains and hard work can bring success.

To this day, America is a melting pot of all races and cultures. Where else but in the good ole USA can you find a blonde-haired, blue-eyed child with an Indo-Pakistani last name? How else can you explain it, but to say "only in America..." As a result of our melting pot society, tolerance is a trait that we are constantly cultivating, often not because we really want to, but out of necessity. We Americans are known for our ability to adapt and change.

Freedom of religion. What a concept. This fundamental freedom that we often don't think much about is a cornerstone of our society. We have had it for so long that we forget how important this particular right was to our forefathers, many of whom came to this country in search of a place to worship without facing persecution. Religious tolerance is one of the great successes of America, especially as we are faced with the terrible intolerance of other nations.

In fact, Freedom is integral to our society. When you ask Americans what they value the most about this country, they will often reply "my Freedom." How many freedoms do we have? I can think of many: Freedom of speech, Freedom of association, Freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness. We are an incredibly Free People, and again, until recently we have not had occasion to think much about it. Then suddenly, the plight of a heart-brokenly unfree people, the Afghans, is thrust upon our consciousness. The concept of a country where even singing was forbidden is totally beyond our comprehension. To be forced to cover yourself from head to toe before appearing in public, thereby letting it be known to all that you are a non-person, with no right to an opinion simply because you are a woman, is incomprehensible to us. We are so lucky to live in a country that values freedom.

We love heroes in this country. We have an inherent belief that good will win out over evil. Even in this era of the Anti-Hero, we are searching for the All-American Cowboy to put upon a pedestal and worship. We are also a forgiving people and will forgive much in our heroes when they turn out to have feet of clay.

Americans take risks. We have guts and intellect and are not afraid to use them to our advantage. As a society, we value these traits and reward them mightily. Because we have guts, we are not afraid to fail, or to pick ourselves up and try again. Where other societies value patience, teamwork or "stiff upper lips," we flaunt our guts and firmly believe in the mantra "no guts, no glory."

Speaking of glory, we have Old Glory, our flag. What could be more American? In many ways, America is defined by the flag. Some might say we worship the flag. Irregardless, when disaster strikes, Americans rally to the flag and display it with pride. No other symbol evokes the same response from deep within our national psyche. So, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, the image that sticks in my mind, and that I cling to more than any other, is that of the New York City firefighters raising the American Flag over the rubble that once was the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. It's a Grand Old Flag! God Bless America!