Because I Am An American...
Because I Am An American... I first listened, and then watched, my world change as images of fireballs, cascading buildings and innocent human carnage became forever etched into my mind.
Because I Am An American... I sat riveted in front of the television for hours as each piece of information assaulted my sense of peace and security; not believing that this could happen here but knowing that it did.
Because I Am An American... I awoke the next day hoping that it was all some kind of horrible nightmare but faced with the headlines that shouted otherwise.
Because I Am An American... I've sobbed and wept with hope, grief, anger and rage as each story appears of personal heroism, unspeakable loss, and senseless death.
Because I am An American... I've heeded the call to give blood, donate a day's wages and pray.
Because I am An American... I will use my freedom as a consumer to boycott those few gas stations and businesses who choose to gouge their brothers and sisters at a time of our greatest national crisis.
Because I Am An American... I will support my government in their response to this horrible crime, knowing that they will not wait one more minute that they have to to bring these cowards to justice.
Because I Am An American... I refuse to blindly retaliate against my innocent fellow Americans simply because of the color of their skin, their place of birth or their religious beliefs.
Because I Am An American... I will take all the emotion - the fear, the sadness, the grief and the rage - and I will focus it on going back to work and restarting my life because I know that is how we win.
And... we will win. I am more resilient, more courageous, more ingenious, more faithful, more compassionate, more human that "they" will ever be because... I AM AN AMERICAN.
9/13/01
Liz Adamson
