2002-09-11

I've watched how various groups around me (schools, my workplace, my former workplace, etc) have decided to memorialize this anniversary. I find all of it very interesting and sense that the people within find these ceremonies in some way a little paltry. My office declared we should all wear the red white and blue. Many schools observed a moment of silence. During a library tour, my tour group of first year freshmen gathered around the phone (where we can get the local PBS station piped in) and listened to the Gettysburg address. Yahoo has gone black and grey. The yuppieville library staff are mad because the director won't fly the flag at half-mast (because such a thing can only be ordered by the president)

And yet I feel like these gestures aren't enough, is it a fitting tribute to the thousands who died for me to wear a red shirt with my blue pants? I've even heard many people say that all the hype in the media have made it painful for them to in some way memorialize this day that they feel it is more a superbowl half-time show than a tribute. But I'm not going to say you shouldn't wear red white and blue, or fly your flag, or watch tv, or light a candle, or whatever. If those things comfort you, please do them. For me though, I think a more fitting memorial is to fight to keep our everyday freedoms, our civil rights, from fading away. So in addition to whatever you have planned, here are some suggestions that I hope you'll all consider.

1) Make sure you are registered to vote--If you aren't then register even if you won't be eligible in November. And then vote in the next election you can vote in.

2) Know where your polling place is--many polling places changed with redistricting.

3)Find out the names, addresses and voting records of those that represent you on a state AND national level. You can do this by calling your local library or by visiting the League of Women voters.

4)Get involved by writing letters about issues you care about.

5)Speak out not only for your freedoms, but those freedoms of people you don't like. Civil rights are rights for everyone, not just people we like.

6) Don't dread jury duty.

7)Speak out against legislation like the patriot act--or don't be surprised when the newspapers have stories about the FBI secretly trying to access your library records.

8)Don't agree to spy on your neighbors.

9)Don't let your fear color your judgment of other people, other cultures or other religions.

10) Give time or money to a charity of your choice.

I won't apologize for sounding preachy. I am preachy. I believe in civil rights for everyone, even that "American Taliban." I think we should all pay closer attention to what our "leaders" do.

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