WTC

So, I just saw the first ad for it...the first movie about September 11th, 2001. It's called World Trade Center and it has Tom Hanks in it...and it absolutely freaks me out.

Being in NYC for 9/11 is arguably still the most emotionally difficult day of my life. And I was a "lucky" one in that I didn't personally know anyone that died that day. I knew the co-workers that were underneath the WTC 10 minutes before the 1st plane hit or that had life long friends that died that day...no, I was "lucky".

Probably never been more frightened for such a long period of time. Not being able to reach family to tell them we were "OK". With NYC and DC being attacked, Chicago was likely to be hit that day also. Did my family go downtown that day? Was anyone I knew near the Sears Tower? What else in NY might be attacked that day? Were the bomb scares in the Empire State building right near us real?

All I did know that day was that the world was a different one than we ever realized...the world had not changed...but we finally realized the reality we lived in and it scared us. It wasn't just that we were no longer completely safe. For me, it was the realization that there was so much hate in the world...and it scared me because I (& I was pretty sure no one else) knew how to stop it. As the details unfolded as to who was involved and what happened, I knew that hating them would not make the problem go away. Hate only breeds more hate. I'm a big believer that if AIESEC goes about things in the right way, one day deep down we will know it was part of the solution if exchange of cultures, ideas, and understanding continue to grow. I think that is why deep down my life's mission is to increase business in emerging markets...well, Latin America isn't exactly the Middle East but I have to start from some comfort zone...so maybe Spanish, Portuguese, & then Arabic? I'd like to think it's possible.

Unfortunately, we are not tackling the root of the problem that breeds the hate in the world. Israel and Lebanon and Mumbai...many of my classmates talk about violence and retribution as though it is entirely justified...and maybe it is...but are we solving the problem?


So...this new movie...I have no desire to see it...I knew eventually one would be made but after only 5 years? Maybe I'll see it one day but I'd prefer to wait until the world is a better place.