by Kevin Duffield

Created on: October 28, 2008

If you ask me, the day after 9/11 is when we started down the path of trying not to think long on the horrors of the terrorist attacks. The first shot in the arm to immunize ourselves from the emotional impact of the event was the nation-wide banning of a photo that came to be known as "The Falling Man". The photo showed a close-up of one of the victims of the World Trade Center falling to his death. There was an outcry in both the public and the media over the photo. Though there was nothing graphic about the image, many considered it to be in poor taste or labled it as 'exploitative'. The image, and others like it, were quickly replaced by photos of the heroes that risked their lives to try to find survivors. This was done in an attemt to put a more positive and inspiring face on the situation. While I do not argue the heroic efforts of the men and women of the day, I do believe that the images of the Falling Man and the other disturbing photos should have recieved just as much exposure. I can understand the argument of exploitation. There are more than a few psychos out there who would find such pictures as entertaining as a Saturday morning cartoon (think of how popular the 'Faces of Death' movies were in some circles). But the reality is that these images serve as a stark reminder that, while we live in the greatest country in the world, we are vulnerable, nonetheless. "Look at us", the images say. "This is the price of overconfidence and lack of vigilance."

A short year later, America bowed its head in a long moment of silence to remember the tragedy of 9/11. Heartfelt speaches were broacast and proper reverance was paid to the dead and the heroes alike. The media was flooded with images of the towers being attacked, the released images of the Pentagon attack, and the stories of the courageous passengers of United 93. We joined hands on the anniversary of the worst tragedy in our history and swore we would never forget. It is an oath many seem to have forgotten.

As each year passed, there seemed to be a little less focus on the event that changed the way we see our world. Most of the newspapers and television broadcasts began only showing one or two clips of the towers after the attacks. They claimed it was to protect the people who might be sensitive or emotionally distraught by being exposed to the imagery. People who I know began making comments such as "I'm sick of hearing about the whole 9/11 thing". This was in a tone similar to a person dismissing a holiday that they aren't particularly fond of. I was flabberghasted. I didn't personally know any of the people who died that day, but it remains fresh in my mind; the emotions I felt seeing the towers attacked, the deep sorrow at the loss of life, the anger at those responsible. I was at a loss to understand how anyone could be so flippant about such a thing.

We need the reminder. We need to be shown the Falling Man, the crumbling towers, the horror on the faces of the people who witnessed the events, and everything associated with that terrible day. Not constantly. Life does have to go on, I understand. But the further we push ourselves to the brink of forgetfullness, the closer we come to the fundamental truth of the ages: It is when the past is forgotten that it comes around to haunt us again.

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