We
have set ourselves to be an arts related site, but since arts are supposed
to describe life, we felt the urge to relate an event that will forever
change our lives and the way we see the world.
The terrorist attack that has claimed the lives of thousands of people
and has forever broken to pieces our false sense of security.
We
have all read about and watched with calculated distance reports on attacks
around the world. We have also trusted that those incidents were limited
to a few barbaric areas of the world and could never happen in a city
like NY. Well, we were wrong.
It's not until you look out the window and realize that thousands of people covered in dust and wearing masks are walking down the street, that the pungent smell of smoke and rubber has creeped through the cracks on the windows and the sound of ambulances became part of the background that it really sinks in. It's not just another report, and this time we are the news.
First
it is the shock of it all. Like watching a B movie of the week, but then
the images of the area flash on your tv screen and the World Trade Center
is missing, having been substituted by a cloud of dark smoke. Your eyes
search in vain trying to catch a glimpse of the towers. You watch the
replay of the plane crashes and a sense that it's a video game or a computer
generated image fools you for a short lived moment. Maybe I'll wake up
soon from this bizarre nightmare...
Then the realization and the weight of the reality of it all hits you like a bucket of icy cold water, literally taking your breath away. Thoughts go to all your friends, relatives, the faceless people in huge numbers who might now be gone. Memories of the stores, shows, food, smells of the World Trade Center. Phone calls to be made...
Slowly that numbness subsides and the anger takes over. CNN shows a group of Palestinians celebrating on the streets and the impulse is to say: " Blow their whole country up !", even though you don't mean it. Is that how they feel about us? What could they possibly gain? What kind of culture, history, situation, could create people willing to kill thousand, including themselves just to make a point? And you know it's a small group, you know there are great people, wise people, children who are just as repulsed as we are, but somehow the anger is still here. Their motives don't matter anymore.
It
will take time to regain part of what was taken. More will be lost in
the process. Compassion, peace discussions, understanding, will be forgotten
and the voices of the families that lost loved ones, the lack of sense
of security and the urge to get revenged will take their place.
In the end, there will be much more missing than the ever present ghost of the Twin Towers on the skyline.
~~ Taty ~~
September, 11th, 2001
How to Help
~ For our World Aid section with links to some of the main charities, CLICK HERE
~
Emergency response/relief efforts:
• The American Red Cross is in need of blood to replenish the nation's
supply. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment near where you
live.
• The New York Blood Center has also announced a blood emergency for the
greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Visit www.nybloodcenter.org
for more information on how to help.
• The Salvation Army will accept financial contributions through 1 (800)
SAL ARMY.
• For more information on helping victims of the U.S. attacks, visit Helping.org
• The United Way of New York and the New York Community Trust have established
a fund to help the victims of the attacks and their families. The September
Eleventh Fund will provide immediate support to established emergency
assistance agencies. Anyone wishing to contribute may send their donations
in care of United Way, 2 Park Ave, New York, New York, 10016 or call:
212-251-4035. Donations are also being accepted on United Way of New York
City's Web site: http://www.uwnyc.org.
~ To donate money to Red Cross relief efforts call 1 (800) HELP NOW.
~
Airlines:
• Friends and family who wish to check on passengers and flights may call:
American Airlines, 1-800-245-0999
United Airlines, 1-800-932-8555
~ World Trade Center businesses:
• Emergency number for Morgan Stanley: 1-888-883-4391
• Emergency number for Carr Futures: 1-800-755-7620
~ Pentagon personnel:
• Pentagon employees only are asked to check in by calling 1-877-663-6772
Justice Department
• The Justice Department's Office of Victims of Crime has set up a phone
line to provide information to families about victims and about services
for survivors and their rights: 1-800-331-0075
