Molly taking pictures at the 9/11 memorial in 2014
Four years ago I wrote a story about 9/11, which seemed like the worst imaginable tragedy.
But in the last eighteen months, there have been so many tragedies that I couldn’t even say which was the worst.
Covid-19 brings death and isolation everywhere. Many deaths preventable, but people refuse vaccines and masks.
Police murder of black people reaches new extreme with the public killing of George Floyd.
January 6th insurrection at the Capitol.
Texas anti-abortionists as the American Taliban.
Climate change – the West is burning up, the East is flooding – this may really be the end of the world.
/ / /
In the last eighteen months, there have been so many tragedies that I couldn't even say which was the worst.
RetroFlash- 100 words
Note:
Since only three people currently writing have read or commented on my earlier 9/11 story – Betsy, Charles, and John S. – I invite the rest of you to read it via the link at the top of this story.
Suzy
You survey the on-going crises with clarity and precision, Suzy. It can be difficult to keep moving forward with so much awful news in this country alone. Yes, we must fight against those forces that would destroy our democracy and way of life.
I think we are seeing a common theme emerge here, putting 9-11 in hideous perspective. The world will not end but our world may, and who or what will inherit it?
Wonderful RetroFlash, Suzy. I was worried that I would be the only one who, twenty years later and while acknowledging the tragedy of 9/11, put it in perspective with more recent events — and found them to be at least as horrific. Indeed, as a Facebook pal recently noted, while the 3,000 deaths on 9/11 was terrible, that represents only about two days’ worth of US COVID deaths these days.
So, besides expressing this all so beautifully in only 100 words, thank you for reassuring me that others feel exactly as I do.
Suzy, I commented on the previous story, and we are definitely on the same page with our RetroFlashes this week. Sometimes it seems we have too much to cope with, and you’ve said it well.
Suzy, you make profound points in few words. No easy task. Wish I could say I didn’t agree with your assessment but sadly I do.
In the aftermath of 9/11 it did seem the very worst had happened.
But as you say Suzy, there was more to come.
And who of us would have predicted the the politicizing of vaccines and masks during a worldwide pandemic?
Unimaginable, and yet it’s happened!
This prompt has brought out such different thoughts, opinions, and emotional colors from people. Your choice of events reflects the blinding awareness and deep thinking that the times demand of those who care. And we all do care with a binding commonality.