Change of Mind: New Yorker Essays

I never was able to vividly picture myself in a plane right before it collided with a building, until after I read the collection of “New Yorker Essays.” The “New Yorker Essays” are essays written by people right after the 9/11 attack, they describe emotions, feelings and lasting impacts the attack had on them. While reading the essays my mind opened up to feelings and reactions people had after the attack. I also learned more about the long lasting effect the attack has on people.

By reading the “New Yorker Essays” on the 9/11 attack my perception on the attack has changed. When the 9/11 attacked occurred, I was too young to understand what was going on and what it meant for our country. Even before I read these essays about 9/11, I still didn’t quite understand it. One thing I really understand now, is how it changed the way people live today. For many, a simple plane ride is a frightening experience because of flashbacks with scaring memories of 9/11. Along with lifestyle changes, 9/11 taught many to not take America for granted. Many view America as a “safe haven,” a shelter where nothing goes wrong. After 9/11 people realized that America is just as endangered as any other country out there.

To be honest I always believed that America was a place of safety and solace. I now perceive America as any other country, not more special than the rest. We may be a land of opportunity but we are no longer a “safe haven.”

By reading the “New Yorker Essays” I was able to relate to one essay in particular. I was able to connect with the essay by Dennis Johnson. He wrote about how people all over the world view America as a different country than the rest. Also, how people don’t expect to encounter danger and terror while in America. Both of these beliefs were very similar to mine, before reading the essays. But now I view America very differently. I realize that the 9/11 attackers hated America so much that they killed themselves to kill us. It is hard to comprehend how much hate that must be, killing yourself to kill others. It is outrageous and disgusting to picture what was going through the pilots heads, when they carried through the 9/11 mission. Now after reading the essays and thinking through the effects of the attack there is one thing that has more meaning to me now than it did before. I’ll never take safety and life for granted anymore, because you never know when your life will flash right before your eyes.