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"Wake up! Wake up! They are attacking America," my sister said as she woke me up. I was stunned
to see that terrorists had attacked the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, which I had never thought
as unattackable buildings. I thought those scenes were from George Lucus’s new film. I could not
believe my own eyes. People were running on the street trying to save their lives. I was
saddened and deeply touched emotionally. I could feel and understand how those victims felt
during the attack, and I wondered what kind of mentality made those terrorists do such
devastating harm to innocent people. Although I felt deeply for the people who were the victims
of this terrible attack, I don’t think the scenes of the September 11 changed my view of the
world, but those scenes did change my view of this society.
Before I came here, I thought that I would not see or hear any terror again as I did in my country, which has been under military government for four decades. During my life time, I have seen many friends of mine killed and tortured by our government during the antigovernment movement At that time we could not even show our sorrow for them or do anything but watch them get killed as we were afraid of being interrogated by the government. In order to avoid seeing or facing these kinds of terrible events, I chose to come to America where I can study safely and securely. But I knew I was wrong after the Sept 11th attack and I now feel there was no safe place in the world. But that horrible attack could not change my view of the world as I have had more than enough horrible experiences in my life. However, I want to admit that after the attack I realized that I feel more like I am part of this country. At first, I thought that I am here as a guest, an international student. Therefore, when I finish my study, I will need to go back to my country. But after the attack I started to notice that this country has given me a lot. Because of this country, I know what human rights mean and that there are many opportunities for a hard-working person, and more importantly, I began to have chances to establish my aims. Moreover, now I have many friends here. Therefore, I feel that I am part of this society, and, if anything happens to this society, it will affect me also. That is why I want to say that I am ready to participate any movement to protect this society. In addition, I’d like to say that I learned a lesson for life through the attack of Sept 11th that if people are patient enough, not afraid of death and try hard, they can do anything they want, even shake the economy or public safety of a country like US that has been considered the world's strongest in economy and military power. If a group of evil people could do that kind of destructions, why can’t a country like the US eliminate those terrorists? For now, the American people are in mourning, but in my opinion, there are many good things to come; the American people will think differently and be more united than ever to protect their country. They will take more responsibility for their country and will think more as group rather than as individuals. The country itself will try to find ways to keep the peace and stability on the world as it has already learned a very expensive lesson through 9-11 attack. |