September 11th, 2011
Ten years ago, the United States was faced with the unthinkable. We became a nation stunned by the devastation we saw outside of our own windows, on television sets, and in the faces of those who understood the implications of that fateful day. September 11th was life-altering. Not only for those directly impacted by the attacks, but by young people across the United States, who now only know of the world through the prism of September 11th and its decade of aftermath.
Ten years later, we remain stunned by losses that we incurred on that day and in the years to follow; we have lost service men and women and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, personal freedoms in the name of national security, and tolerance for those of the Islamic faith. We remember these losses on the 10th anniversary. However, September 11th should not be solely about remembrance, it needs to be about looking forward. Young people are inheriting a world that has been created as a result of September 11th. It is therefore the responsibility of youth to ensure that the world becomes the one we need it to be. In the next decade, young people will remember, but we will no longer remain stunned.
Be2021 is a vehicle for young people to reframe America’s role in the global community. The campaign empowers students to build a decade-long movement that will envision and create a better world by 2021 – the 20th anniversary of September 11th. Be2021 shapes a global space to remember, respond, and react through powerful narratives, policies, and discussions. The youth of Be2021 articulate a more peaceful, just, healthy and sustainable world, and act to make that future a reality.
September 11th and the United States’ subsequent response fundamentally altered the world’s perception of us; and not always for the better. In partnering with Be2021, youth have the power to once again reframe our global interactions. And this time it will be on our terms.
Join the movement. Spread the word. Remember September 11th. And change America’s post-9/11 legacy.
We will,
The Be2021 Dream Team (a.k.a. Hannah, Ramis, Rajit, Ningxi, Kushal, Samantha, Kaysie and Jim)
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[...] A call to action for young people from Be2021 and Americans for Informed Democracy: Ten years later, we remain stunned by losses that we incurred on that day and in the years to follow; we have lost service men and women and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, personal freedoms in the name of national security, and tolerance for those of the Islamic faith. We remember these losses on the 10th anniversary. However, September 11th should not be solely about remembrance, it needs to be about looking forward. Young people are inheriting a world that has been created as a result of September 11th. It is therefore the responsibility of youth to ensure that the world becomes the one we need it to be. In the next decade, young people will remember, but we will no longer remain stunned. [Read full post] [...]