September 11, 2001
I know you remember where you were on that date. I was teaching 7th graders in a Texas History class when my classroom telephone rang. Ramona excitedly told me an big plane had hit the World Trade Center. I assumed it was a private plane because that has happened before in New York City. I really had no idea.
We talked some about it and I went back to my class. She called again and a 2nd plane had hit the towers. Like many of you, I knew immediately what was happening. We were actually under attack.
When she called back and told me one of the towers had collapsed, I argued with her. “I’ve been in those towers, ” I told her. There is no way they could just collapse. She wasn’t sure what she was seeing either, but she did manage to convince me that the towers had fallen completely to the ground. I imagined a loss of life in the tens of thousands.
I didn’t have a TV in my classroom at the time or I would have turned it on. I did have a computer and got as much information as possible. The kids were worried and horrified. So was I. I looked around my classroom and calmly explained what had happened. By then it was obvious and had been reported that muslim extremists had perpetrated that act of terrorism. I reported that and then realized that even out in my rural West Texas community, there was one muslim family and I had a muslim student right there in my classroom. They operated the local two bit motel and barely got by, by any standards. This child however, was exceptionally bright, motivated, and knew what was going on although she was very quiet. Her name was Tehmina.
When that class dismissed, I remember that girl’s eyes and the worry on her face. She had probably already seen more deprivation in her life than any other student in my classes. I took her aside and explained that it had nothing to do with her at all and for her not to worry. I reassured her as much as possible. I seriously doubted whether any 7th graders in that entire town even knew what a muslim was. I believe her family was from Pakistan. We talked about it all some more and she went on her way. She went on to have a successful year and ranked high in the annual Scripts spelling bee in Texas. At the end of the school year, the school gave her a surplus computer and printer.
Her family finally starved out and she had to move.
I remember her worried face at that instant. I remember mine also. Neither of us could imagine what was to happen in the next few years between that instant and now. She would be about 22 years old now.
We here in Real Texas don’t have much interaction with different cultures. We even consider Mexican part of our culture because of our shared food, language, and customs. It is difficult for us to imagine a culture so determined to destroy us. But we know how to defend ourselves.
We have long memories out here in Real Texas.
We remember Goliad.
We remember The Alamo.
And we remember September 11, 2001.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Very touching, David. I, like everyone else remember that day. I had a TV in my classroom. Right after the first planes hit, I went to a Senior class meeting in the HS library. Cade was a senior, therefore, in the library too. I remember going to him and explaining what had happened. As a mother, I was very worried how this event would impact his future and our other young people. And the battle goes on…
David, in my life time there have been two events of profound historical significance. One was the day the president of this country was assasinated in Dallas Texas. The other was the terrorist attack on American soil when the twin towers were knocked down in New York.
To this day, some 44 years later, the assassin or assassins are still at large. Or at least I think so.
We know who took the towers down.
And the difference of how these two events have been resolved are as different as night and day.
I think this; if they, whoever “they” are, would have turned these questions over to a REAL TEXAN, the solution to both would have been resolved. We would know who or who’s did the president in, and I know for sure the Bin Laden problem would have been dealt with. At a lot less cost of young American lives and dollars.
John Kidd, I think I know you, your sistewr and your mother. I think my nephew was married to your sister. I may be wrong but I don’t think so. I agree with everything you have stated in your post, and especially
about resolving the problem. I am to old and crippled up to do much, but I can still man the canon or drive the tank. Semjper Fi Hot Rod.
Rick what does the C stand for. You have to know that I have had brain surgery and you have the advantage over me. I have some problems with my memory sometimes, this is one of those times!!!!!