Racial profiling, airport security, and a fear of terrorist attacks are commonalities of a post 9/11 world. I'm a frequent flyer and remember, from my own experience and comments from my parents, how easy traveling used to be. I remember when we could walk through airport security without worrying about shoes or shampoo bottles, and I even remember a time when you could send someone off by walking all the way to the gate with them. The increased security, xenophobia, suspicion and other inconveniences are now something we all grumble about though mostly accept.
I feel like I had somewhat of a grasp on the pre-9/11 world though after reading the articles, the thing that became even more apparent was the sense of fear it created. Every reactionary measure and every argument on either side has been crafted by fear.There is the obvious kind of fear, that of another terrorist attack. The government scrambled for control, however futile, in hopes of creating preventative measures to counteract terrorism. Racial profiling and government surveillance were fear reactions.
The less obvious or perhaps less thought of fear is the fear of a loss of rights. Minority groups are irritated or scared to walk through airport security and the essay against the Patriot Act would have us believe that free thought and creativity are stifled by possible government surveillance.
Either way, it is clear that the aftermath of 9/11 is fear based for all those involved. While these essays written soon after 9/11 are reactionary and many many believe that these are only temporary cautionary measures, I think, unfortunately, this culture of fear is more lasting.
I feel like I had somewhat of a grasp on the pre-9/11 world though after reading the articles, the thing that became even more apparent was the sense of fear it created. Every reactionary measure and every argument on either side has been crafted by fear.There is the obvious kind of fear, that of another terrorist attack. The government scrambled for control, however futile, in hopes of creating preventative measures to counteract terrorism. Racial profiling and government surveillance were fear reactions.
The less obvious or perhaps less thought of fear is the fear of a loss of rights. Minority groups are irritated or scared to walk through airport security and the essay against the Patriot Act would have us believe that free thought and creativity are stifled by possible government surveillance.
Either way, it is clear that the aftermath of 9/11 is fear based for all those involved. While these essays written soon after 9/11 are reactionary and many many believe that these are only temporary cautionary measures, I think, unfortunately, this culture of fear is more lasting.
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