How to remember twenty years—9/11/21…
My final draft of An American in Palestine is in the hands of Saqib Arshad, my best-in-the-world formatting pro. If everything goes according to plan, I will self-publish on Amazon and Kindle on September 11.
“Why 9/11?” My friend Nikki asked me a couple days ago. “I don’t get the connection.”
Here is my reply. And, yes, it may stir some emotions, positive and negative.
Yes, 9/11/2001 was one day of infamy in American history. On that morning, I was in the refectory of Julian House Monastery in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was my week to cook for the community of monks and nuns. I was preparing noon meal.
Sister Scholastic entered the room and announced to me the news of planes striking the Twin Towers in New York City. Normal activity was suspended for the morning. At noon, we gathered in the chapel for our precious Noonday Prayer for Mother Julian. Prayer was earnest. Tears were abundant. Scant portions of my noonday meal were eaten. Who could think or pray or share about food on that day?
In the twenty years since 9/11, America has responded with anger and aggression. For twenty years we have been fighting back—getting even with “them” for what “they” did to “us.”
My An American in Palestine chronicles two visits and three months that I lived in West Bank Palestine in 2013/2014. I shared life and food and comaraderie with a people, who are perpetual victims of Israeli aggression, hostility and oppression. Israel does this with the aid of U.S. tax dollars. It is “WE” who oppress Palestine.
Remembering 9/11, America has spent twenty years playing victim on the world stage. How dare they do that to us!
On 9/11/2021, I will publish An American in Palestine. In touching and heart-felt stories, I will ask, “How dare WE do that to THEM?”
Your thoughts….???