Ear Shot

As we discussed possibilities for this week’s topic, we realized how forgotten the issue of Sept. 11 has become. With school starting, our thoughts tend to be more consumed by Grape specials, beach parties, and drop/add classes.

Flags on cars and outside houses have become a part of our daily lives. Talk of war and terrorists seems to have faded in our minds, or at least in the majority of our conversations. Many of us have forgotten about the morning of Sept. 11, a day that will be known in the same category as Dec. 7, 1941.

That morning abruptly shocked us into reality and out of our college bubbles. Our grandparents grew up with WWII, our parents suffered the loss of JFK, and now our generation has to rebuild from Sept. 11. How is this going to affect us and our outlook on America, the nation we call home?

Even though we may not notice, the recent events in America are changing our values, and morals. Most of us are either in our twenties, or close to it, and politics are now becoming something we actually care about.

While most of us always had pride in our country, Sept. 11 showed that we are also very unaware. Which do we hide behind, our pride, or our ignorance?

The past events have brought confusion, as well as a broader outlook on politics, and we find that excerpts from this song can articulate some of our feelings. Hopefully this offers some poetic justice for you as well.

Pearl Jam- “Patriot”

… And the river shall open for the righteous, And the river shall open for the righteous someday, I was walking, with my brother, And he wondered oh how I am…I am a Patriot, And I love my country, Because my country, is all I know, I want to be with my family, People who understand me, I got no place left to go…I am a Patriot, And I ain’t no Communist, And I ain’t no Socialist, And I ain’t no Capitalist, And I ain’t no Imperialist, And I’m no longer Democrat, Sure is no Republican either, I only know one party…, And that is Freedom, I am…, I am…, I am…, I am a Patriot, And I love my country, Cause my country, is all I know, And the river shall open for the righteous, And the river shall open for the righteous, And the river shall open for the righteous someday, Someday…, Someday…, Someday