September 11th.

[sunshine_queen]

I just read an article about the Oliver Stone 9-11 movie that has a tentative release date of August 11th, 2006. Also in the works is a film about the hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, a book adaptation, and a mini-series.

Am I the only one who feels this is too soon?

I feel kind of ridiculous saying that- I said it outloud to my mother, complete with, "It was only four years ago." And it was. Only four years ago.

It seems so long ago when I think of eighth grade- the final year of middle school, picture day. I was wearing an olive green shirt from Express; I had just gotten my braces on a few months before. I'm a senior now, braces are gone, and that picture remains one of my worst. It was too eerie, smiling in the same place where the screens had just gone up, after we'd been watching coverage of the towers. We hadn't even moved into the Eighth Grade Wing yet, we were still in the old Science Wing, me sharing a seat with Becca, the day we became best friends.

I remember the day so clearly- what was rumoured and what was reported, how I felt and what I did, what I wrote and who I showed it to. I remember sobbing that day, and on the first anniversary. I didn't lose anybody that day, but I was disillusioned from that day on. Before then, America had been safe; when September 12th dawned, it was another world.

At the library a few months ago, I was scanning book titles and came across a book by some author I enjoyed. I picked it up to scan the blurb, and when it talked about September 11th, I dropped it. There was no way, some four years later, that I could even conceive of reading a piece of fiction based on that event.

I can't tell if people are being insensitive about so fresh a wound, or if I'm being overly so.

Comments

[miana-dude.livejournal.com]

Damn. I knew it was inevitable.

There should be a 20 year wait for this.

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

At least a wait longer than five years.

[dancinggoldfish.livejournal.com]

I live about an hour away from New York City, and my dad worked a block away from the Twin Towers. That day was the most confusing one of my life, and when I look back on it, I can't help but feel frightened over what had happened. But then again, 9/11 and the Twin Towers are still a big issue for people where I live. Most of the families who live here commute to NYC, and we still discuss what happened. But my cousins in say, Washington State, or even in Florida, have moved on. Many of them don't realize the importance and effects that it still holds.

So the short answer to your question is that some people still feel that it is an incredibly fresh wound, while others want the country to move on as a whole, sadly.

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

I live in Florida, even, and it still cuts me. And I realize that everyone deals with things their own way- but this was such public thing. It was America as a whole, and shouldn't we all... I don't know. Take a vote?

[dancinggoldfish.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I probably won't go to see the movie. Although, I did hear that the families of the victims of 9/11 will be advising a great deal on the movie, and in addition, it will be focusing on what happens to two police officers that day. Which does make it slightly better.

But still. It's hard, because people attach so much less importance to that day than they should.

[snapplesons.livejournal.com]

1) This was a beautifully written post. <3

2) I agree. It's too soon. I don't think it's necessarily wrong that people have moved on though. Moving on is a good thing. As long as lessons are learned. Just like when you lose someone you are close to, moving on is an important and desired step. It's not wrong. But you have to move on with the lessons and memories inside of you. I also did not lose someone that day, but I still felt as affected by it as you were. And I have moved on. That day doesn't torment my every thought, but I still have moments were I need some silence to reflect on it. But my life goes on. Like when I lost someone close to me in a car accident. I've moved on, but Mandy's death completely changed me. I carry her memory very close to my heart and I will never forget the lessons she taught me.

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks, Commet.

You're right- moving on is a good thing. And people dealing with it their own way is fantastic, and I'm glad that people are able to move on about this. But this isn't just like, coming to terms with it themselves, this is putting it back in the public eye again. Do we really need a reminder so soon?

*hugs* I'm sorry about your friend, Ollie. I'm glad you were able to move on from her death as a stronger person.

[bel-baggins.livejournal.com]

I feel it is too soon as well. In fact, I can't imagine myself ever reading or watching a movie based on it. It would feel too ... I don't know. There was so much live coverage that day, we all heard the stories, and it was something that happened to all of us, we all felt it. To watch or read a story on it is almost unneccesary.

A documentary is as far as I'd go. Even watching the documentaries that have already been made, I think I watched one on the most recent anniversary, is enough to make me cry, make me remember the shock and despair and fear I felt. And the anger, too. It took me a few weeks, maybe two months, after 9/11/01 to feel anger; before that, it had just been depression. But now when I reflect on that day, I can still feel the rage I eventually felt. The emotion is strong. I think I'd have to wait a long, long time before that would settle down. I guess some people deal with events like 9/11 by writing/filming about them, but for me it just takes time.

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

You're right- there was non-stop coverage that day, and we all heard the testimonials and personal accounts and stories of heroism and valor- and that was laid in front of us for days. To me, it not only seems unnecessary to rehash that, it's almost disrespectful to those who died. Some might see it as an honor, or a tribute... but I just see it as dragging the event out again.

A tasteful documentary might be acceptable- I've never been able to watch one myself, just because it still disturbs me so much, and it brings all the emotions of that day right back to the surface.

I think for me it will take time, too.

[yubsie]

YEah, it's still a bit on the recent side, really.

BTW, Syd looks like Death in that icon. :p

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Oh, she does not.

[yubsie]

SHE TOTALLY DOES!

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Oh, go live in a yurt.

[yubsie]

You're just mad because I'm right! :p