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What happened on September 11th, 2001 upset the world. Instead of reflecting on my feelings about this tragedy, I'd rather examine
and focus on another somewhat related subject: media and knowledge.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to get on my soap box regarding staying updated as to happenings of the world around us. I know that
before September 11th, 2001 I did my best to do this - I watched the 11 o'clock news almost every night, listened to NPR and other
talk radio stations and skimmed some newspapers online. When September 11th arrived I was in full media throttle, glued to my television
only breaking to check the web articles online. As I learned more and more about what this terrorist attack might be in response to, I realized
even though I tried to do my best to stay on top of current events, I really didn't know what was going on in some areas of the world. In Afganistan. In
Israel. Even in America, in relation to these countries and their conflicts. Maybe I blocked it out, not wanting to know the worst. I
think part of me definitely wanted to do this - but mainly because it didn't directly affect me and it was horrific.
Us Americans can be awfully self-centered at times. I'll admit that.
Through these times of uncertainty and pain we turn to educating ourselves. How? The television, newspaper, internet and radio. I have always been somewhat
obsessed with National Public Radio, but never like this. I felt like I was becoming
an addict in every way (better than a heroin addict, but hey, come on!), not just to NPR but the coverage itself. It is so
important to be educated in this world and I found NPR was a great way to delve into the issues of September 11th. Pure education, fact
and humanity. The perfect shoulder to lean on when stricken with tragedy.
I listen to NPR in the car, when I get out of the shower, at the gym, walking to the T, even as I type this journal entry. Maybe it's because
I'm a musician and enjoy the auditory type of learning, but there's nothing like learning from NPR. Even before the attack, I dedicated my
precious airtime to this medium.
There came a point in time, about two weeks after the tradgedy of September 11th, in which I could not listen to NPR regarding what
had happened anymore. Never mind the constant updates, tidbits and unfoldings of this terrorist act. Forget the interesting panelists who
bombarded the airwaves with theories and additional questions. Ignore the angles which NPR tried to find through the rubble of news vomit -
how art can help, new poetry written about the disaster, a "forever changing America, will we be the same ever again?", etc. I was sick to my
stomach of analyzing the most depressing act committed in my lifetime. Yes, dammit, America has been changed. How could it not be?
Terry Gross is beginning to get some non-political, interesting guests on her show again. "Here and Now" remains a pit of
decaying stories. "BBC" seems somewhat interesting for
a change, considering the world is still reacting to September 11th and that's interesting to hear. But I'm tired of hearing what so-and-so thinks or what
world leaders are planning to do. It's time to get back to normal, says the President of America. As most Americans ask, how
can we? I ask how can we if the media is still shoving this rotten meat still down our throats?
On the flip side, as a proud American and just basic human being, I almost feel guilty for wanting to focus on other things, especially
as mundane as grocery shopping, work, going to the gym and feeding Dexie (my cat). But as we
read in the papers, watch on televisions and hear on the radio, this is what the terrorists supposedly want. I am resuming life with a heavy heart
but strong will. I am performing my music with even more passion and gusto. And I am keeping the radio tuned to NPR because as our lives get
back to a somewhat normal state, so will theirs. Eventually. And I'll still be listening.
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