Malcolm X Post 5

It can be amazing how people will put aside their differences and come together for a common cause when it is necessary. Malcolm talks about the "brotherhood" he feels in the Holy Land, where Muslims of every nationality and color slept together, ate together, and respected each other during their religious experience. I've only really felt that feeling once, and I was probably too young to really appreciate the magnitude of what happened. On September, 11, 2001, our country was attacked by terrorists in one of the most tragic, terrifying moments in the country's history. In an instant, it went from a normal school or workday to a nationwide effort to help in whatever way possible. I remember getting picked up from my third grade class by my mom, and her explaining to me that their was a problem in New York, and people had attacked a building. Firefighters and police heroically searched for survivors, while citizens all over the country donated countless hours of their time to send care packages to workers. In the months following the attack, almost every home had a US flag and had donated something to the cause. My sister had done community service for the Red Cross, organizing packages for relief workers. Shown here, (http://www.september11news.com/InternationalReaction.htm) the whole world, even those not so friendly with the US, expressed condolences. I was too young to really get involved, but I remember noticing and feeling the patriotism. Recently, on a field trip, I was in a church near ground zero that had been a place of comfort for those affected and relief workers. It's basically now a memorial, with all the posters and objects sent in support of NYC. People from places like Oklahoma sent messages, and it was really interesting. I was moved to see the evidence of that American pride and togetherness, especially after the election where the country seemed to be split apart. Sadly, that unity seems to have decreased. It's too bad it takes a tragedy to bring us together, where as the Muslims Malcolm described have a religious connection keeping their brotherhood together through good and bad.