Sad 1
I think that sometimes those things that are (or should be) most important to us are so drilled into our heads, so repeated, so overly emphasized, that they don't affect us anymore.2
Last Tuesday was September 11, the sixth September 11 since terrorists uprooted our nation. To commemorate this holiday, our school holds two identical assemblies, one for each half of the student body. I (being in the band) have always gone (and performed) at both. Which means that I have attended a lot of September 11 presentations. 3
And (I feel so bad saying this), the assemblies have gotten old.4
We've seen the same pictures, heard the same sound bytes, listened to the same songs and recited the same statistics. They don't mean anything anymore.5
I cried on September 11, 2001, and I cried on September 11, 2002. But never since then have I felt an overwhelming emotion for the day. I have become immune, anesthetized, desensitized. 6
And it's not just September 11 -- it's everything. Learning about the Holocaust used to shock me. But time after time, year after year, social studies class after social studies class, we are barraged with facts and figures and images and "Don't do this -- it's not right." Okay, we get it, the Holocaust was bad. Don't kill people. Now can we talk about something else so I can try and keep a little feeling about the issue?7
Last year my English teacher (whom I appreciate so much; she taught me an indescribable amount about my language and about myself) and I had a (rather dramatic) debate about the pledge of allegiance and what it means. See, I don't think it means anything... anymore. It used to have meaning for me. I used to stand for the pledge proudly and patriotically. But we've been pressured (forced) into standing for the pledge for so long that it now means nothing to us. Where we could have patriotism, we have a mindless chore because we pledge (or pretend to pledge) every morning, every year.8
As I wrote the first draft for this column, I was sitting in the pit of SHS auditorium, trying hard to focus on the September 11 assembly as I heard it for the second time that day (the seventh time in four years). There were four kids sitting in front of me that were obviously asleep. As images of terrorism flashed on the projector above us, as the sounds of death and destruction echoed around us, as the names of victims were recited to our adolescent ears, what did we do? We did not cry, we did not comfort each other, we did not get chills of sadness or remorse as we remembered. Instead, we turned away in boredom -- we have seen all this, have heard all this, before. Instead of mourning, instead of remembering, instead of learning...we slept.9
We are so forced to learn the obvious, when sometimes all we need to do is feel the obvious. See the photographs and feel the sadness. Hear the crying and feel the sympathy. Read the statistics and feel the shock of the truth.10
Those things that should mean the most, mean the least. And that's what really makes me sad.11
Author notes
This is a little old, obviously, and I'm really surprised that I haven't posted it here yet. It's one of my favorite pieces ever, and I would love feedback (both on the concept and on the writing).
As always, critical comments are greatly encouraged!
A contest entry
- A Little Bit of Controversy by yumesandman.
220 points, ended January 27, 2008, 9 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Please critique
Comments
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This is great!
I agree with you. I really don't see the point of saying the pledge if you don't mean it, because you say it every morning of every day. It loses all of its meaning. At my school, people don't even say it anymore. They just stand, roll their eyes, and sit back down when it's over. It's a very sad state of affairs. It's nice to know that someone else recognizes the situation and realizes that it shouldn't be this way.beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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I think you have taken a great point of view and definitely a different take on things. It's written very well, with the emotional impact blended well with the examples while still maintaining a reasonal air.
I agree that the brackets are a little distracting in parts. I would try and see if you could fit in those into other sentences.
But other than that, it was great! -
You know my grammar, but in the second last sentence of the third paragraph, 'I (being in the band) have always gone (and performed) at both', if you don't read the parts in the brackets it doesn't make much sense. (I have always gone at both). Isn't it supposed to make sense when you read it with and without the brackets? If so, maybe 'I (being in the band) have always gone to (and performed at) both' would work. If not, tell me to shut up
You also seem to have a LOT of brackets in here, I'm not sure whether it was intentional, but some of them are quite long and they disrupt the flow of the sentence.
The theme is all too true, and I can see why you want to be a journalist, because once again you have managed to transcribe what seems to be my exact thoughts in a really understandable and eloquently simple way.
It is really sad that in the very act of remembering those who have lost their lives, we disrespect them because of the sheer routine of it all. Here in Australia, Anzac Day is similar. On the 11th of the 11th, we have a minutes silence to remember the ANZAC's (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) that died for us during the World War. Unfortunately, after doing it for 10 years, it has become little more than 60 seconds of fidgeting to the tune of a wailing trumpet. Which is very sad, because they DO deserve our respect.
Great job, as always,
Jazzy
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Very controversial and I agree; we become immune to stuff that gets shoved down our throats. so many children going missing in America but the media has stopped telling everybody so much because it gets "boring".
In Australia if one child goes missing it's all over the news and remains that way.
It really is sad.
You have a talent for ranting
. I think I just got a little carried away with my comment but i suppose that means your rant fired up my hate of George Bush and many like him which means that your rant was inspirational which is good.
Excellent ranting, you let it all out girl!
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