September 11th’s Effects on American Society

America is a somewhat young, yet very developed nation. It is a country of diverse people, cultures, and ideas. The United States has an advanced political system, as well as advanced technology. These factors have shaped America into an arrogant nation, which has placed it as a target for many smaller, less developed nations. The United States has a history of deplorable events ranging from the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the first World Trade Center attacks in 1993. It seems America refuses to figure out the mistakes it continuously makes, because tragedy keeps striking.

On September 11, 2001, the United States underwent its second World Trade Center attack, this one placed on a far grander scale than the first. This act of terrorism annihilated not one, but both of the twin towers in New York City, killing thousands and leaving hundreds injured. It also targeted the Pentagon and the White House. The effects of this event didn’t open the eyes of just the American government and its people, but also those of neighboring nations. The September 11th tragedy proved that America is not an invincible country, brought unity throughout the nation, and led our country into war.

America is an extremely powerful nation. Its government and military are top notch, protecting its citizens. This sense of security that the government appears to provide leads Americans to believe they are safe from any outside harm, as though we have an invisible force field surrounding our borders. When the September 11th attack happened, the American peoples eyes finally opened, and we realized that although our country may be one of the richest, most developed, and most power, we are not immune to disaster and tragedy. These qualities only make us a threat to other countries. They feel that if we are weakened, we will fall. But, no matter how much the United States is weakened, they always manage to rebuild because of the harmony its citizens have when the nation is hindered.

The United States has always been portrayed as a unified country; everyone in the society working together to provide for the common good. The reality though is that we are divided through issues from race and gender, to income and class. September 11th forced Americans to put aside their statistical differences to mourn the losses of many innocent lives. Even though there are constant factors keeping Americans separated on a daily basis, patriotism is the one variable that almost all Americans maintain. Sadly, this only has noticeable visibility when our country undergoes disaster and death. Most often, after a certain amount of time has passed, that harmony once again takes a backseat to our societal differences.