That Photo

Over at Band Back Together, we are having a 9/11 inspired carnival. Last year, I wrote about what 9/11 meant for me.

Recently, a number of people on my Facebook timeline have shared a picture of the towers burning, asking people to "like" the photo to honor all that were killed.

I fucking hate that photo.

It's not that I don't want to honor everyone who was killed, injured, or heartbroken. It's not that I don't want to honor those who lost someone or those who were responders. I really, really, do. But I'm never going to "like" that photo - and not just because I very rarely pass that sort of stuff on.

I fucking hate that photo.

To me, that photo honors destruction and hate and the horrible sick feeling I had as I stared at the TV screen that day. To me, that photo is a slap in the face to everyone who loved someone in the towers that day. To me, that photo belongs in books and historical accounts and on websites devoted to 9/11, not on social media where anyone could be devastated by it. I mean, I'm upset by it and I was not close to any of the people I know were in the towers that day.

I fucking hate that photo.

And I ask, before you "like" a photo on Facebook and pass it to everyone on your friends list, that you think about it. Do you really like the photo? Could it trigger anyone? Does it really show the spirit you want to convey?

Rest in Peace

Take a moment to honor all the people killed on 9/11.

Take a moment to thank all the people - firefighters, cops, office workers - who went into those buildings, or stayed in those buildings, to help.

Take a moment to bless all of the shattered families and friends left behind.

Take a moment to sympathize with all of the survivors.



Now take a moment to wonder about why bin Laden is still alive but we have now lost more soldiers in the Iraq war than we did citizens on 9/11.

Now take a moment to wonder why al-Qaeda and the Taliban are growing stronger.

Now take a moment to wonder what you can do about it.