[caption id="attachment_2291" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image Credit: Thomas E. Franklin, The Record (Bergen County, NJ)"]
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Where were you when terrorists brought down the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001?
I had just dropped my daughter off at school for 2nd grade. On my way out of the parking lot, my husband called to tell me I should turn on the news when I got home – something about a plane crashing into a building. He was at work, and could not get any other details. At first, thinking it was a nutty error without much aftermath.
I drove immediately home, turned on the TV, and watched a re-play. At that moment, the images were not flaming or terrible.
So, I called my husband to catch him up, and as I was talking with him, the second plane crashed into the tower. It was then the fire and smoke was visible on television. I was describing it LIVE. Development by development. Frame by frame, almost.
While we were taken aback by those horrific acts, we were also commenting about how it was amazing we had such detailed, up to the minute news – enhancing, if you will, communication. Advanced technology to broadcast.
The Personal & The Official
In 2001, my family and I were already living in our current Ohio location. Our immediate families were located in Arizona, Michigan, and Washington, DC. My father was due to head into Detroit for a meeting, and news stations were warning that if at all possible, people should stay out of major city areas, and to exit tall buildings.
My brother-in-law had once run the communications for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That day he was in an off-site training - away from the Pentagon. He told us later how he saw the notice on his computer monitor that the first plane hit Tower 1 and thought to himself, "What doofus did that??" When minutes later the second notice flashed, he immediately stood up and headed to his assigned secure location.
My husband and I remember that it was at least two full days before we heard he was okay.
Technology Past
Also at that time, I worked with international students. I was responsible for 25+ high schoolers staying in my region with American families. In a very short period of time, natural parents were calling frantically from overseas to find out if their kids were okay.
Rewind technology ten years... For some of our partnering countries, it was hard for natural families to tell immediately just how far Ohio is from New York and Washington, DC, and just how their children would or would not be impacted by the tragic events. Pennsylvania wasn't so far - Flight 93 actually entered Ohio air space, from what we were being told via newscasts.
It turns out the students really were not in harm's way. At least they were not affected directly.
Back then, our Spanish exchange student, Monika, shared her experiences with terrorism - more minor attempts were often in the news in Spain. Even now, I have to wonder what she was thinking. For days, Americans were fixed on the news and the televised replays of the Twin Towers coming down. Our household was no different.
In 2001, email was pretty popular - most in my circles were using it. Social media did not have a name yet. News groups were active, as well as online forums like Yahoo or MSN Groups. Some used Yahoo or AOL instant messengers, or similar.
Catalyst
It was certainly an earth-changing moment! Who wasn’t affected?
In years following, countries worked on this world issue together...or not. Wars have been fought - some still not over. Armed forces and service men and women still deployed. Governments have been formed, unformed, and altered.
Each year, most stop to remember and connect with those they hold dear, if they can.
Technology has escalated to provide us more advanced Internet, speedier email, video hosting, blogs, and social networks as modes of communication.
Enter Social Media
Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to hear from Michael Hingson who escaped from the 78th Floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center with his guide dog, Roselle. His story was unexpectedly moving. I was amazed at how he and Roselle worked as a team even to help others through chaos on September 11, 2001. They used personal communication and instinct.
A few months later, media announced that Osama bin Laden had been found in Pakistan. Immediately, I turned on my major news feed source - Twitter - to get up-to-the-minute feedback.
I was stunned that social media had advanced enough to allow live, personal accounts of Osama bin Laden's capture and the events of his death!
Tributes & Connections
The United States of America, and many people in this world, remember 9/11 today.
My friend Jen Olney of Ginger Consulting shared her thoughts about September 11th. In her words, "Each moment, there was connection…the first responders, firefighters, police officers who raced to the events in each location that day put their lives on the line for their fellow man." Connection.
We have exchanged experiences. I shared with her that the events of 9/11 inspired me to found and develop my company, Culturally Connected, LLC.
Interestingly enough, Jen and I met on Twitter. We are fortunate, and have formed a relationship where we collaborate in promoting each others' projects. Our group of professionals includes eighteen others that have met through social media.
Collective Triumph
"In the end of the day, I believe what was intended to destroy us, only made us stronger and each day we continued to be united in that commitment. We stood up to those who sought to take away our spirit and embodied the testament that our human spirit cannot be broken, it is remarkable." ~Jen Olney
I agree with Jen. She said it well!
Today, I'll go with my family to a public ceremony to remember and commemorate. An event where every county across the country will participate, inviting their citizens to gather together in strength and spirit.
Pondering that, I'm led to remember a popular Dr. Suess story...
"Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing, without *any* presents at all!"
In How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, that snarly green Grinch planned to steal away Christmas Day, and the pleasure of sharing, caring, and celebration that made everyone happy.
[caption id="attachment_2292" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="Image Credit: Dr. Suess"]
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Similarly, on September 11, 2001, cowardly radicals attempted to threaten our freedom and steal our spirit. But instead, our people were inspired and strengthened!
Today, is like our collective Christmas Day to gather in the community square and respectfully acknowledge our perseverance.
7 Ways Social Media Can Help US Remember 9/11
Will you capture a ceremonial performance on video and put it on YouTube?
Will you tweet heartfelt quotes on Twitter?
Will you share the World Trade Center Timeline Infographic on Facebook?
Will you photograph meaningful moments and import images onto Flickr, Instagram, etc.?
Will you connect or re-connect with colleagues on LinkedIn?
Will you blog about your thoughts and experiences for others to read and share later?
Will you hangout and chat with friends near and far on Google+?
How will you remember?
How will you connect?
How will you never forget??
11 Replies
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Utilizing social media training for business is a hip thing these days. In fact, entrepreneurs are relying on social media. No matter how small or big your business may be, there is hope if you want to reach millions of consumers.
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George, Social media training is popular these days, as you say. I see more people seeking social media training to open their own social media agency than I do entrepreneurs getting serious about doing their own social media marketing. They just simply don’t have the time. Most feel comfortable hiring out at least some of their social media management. You are correct – it is possible to reach millions of potential customers … if done correctly. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, ~Keri
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Pingback: Blog Soup 01.18.2012 Wednesday Women: A Celebration of Woman « The unofficial blog of Stan Faryna
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Its more than a few days since the 10 year memorial, but I can celebrate your effort, today. It touches my heart. Thank you, Kerri. I offered prayers for those who lost. I offered some sympathetic tweets and FB wall posts. I retweeted one or more sympathetic tweets. Being overseas, several people attempted to offer their condolences to me as an American. Sometimes, they expressed it awkwardly in their attempt to formulate an alien English expression. For example, “Happy 9-11 day!” To which I corrected them with a kind smile: “Do you mean Happy airplanes-crashing-into-big-buildings-and-killing-people-and-scaring-the bejeezus-out-of-everyone day?” They realized their mistake at once. I do not consider the event, the losses, or the terror lightly. Nor am I appreciative of the consequences such as the loss of civil liberties and TSA shenanigans which government has exercised in its cumbersome manner to ensure peace and security. On the other hand, 9-11 brought home certain accountability for the secret and clandestine actions of our government in interfering with the life, economics, politics, etc. of other nations and peoples. America is an empire. Sometimes, it does evil. It makes us a target. I don’t have a problem facing the whole truth. And, yes, I would still stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Americans on American soil to defend it against invasion. I would kill in the defense of America – unless God were to personally tell me otherwise. Because mistakes do not define us. The evils of American Foreign Policy do not define America, the American people, or the American Experiment. Nor must our foreign policy always and forever do evil. We can change. There is no necessity to destroy us and remove us from the face of the Earth. Americans have proven to the whole world that we are unlike any other nation in our capacity to change. For example, the American people elected an African American as a President. Whether or not President Obama is going to make a difference, of course, is between him, God, and the devil. TMI? I have to admit that I also have questions about 9-11. I am intrigued that American architects are demanding an investigation of the possible demolition of the WTC. I am intrigued that if 9-11 was in fact an expression of Arab fury for a long record of evil American intervention in the Middle East, why did they stop making terror on us in the face of their grim and so-called success. Stan Recently on my blog: Do not be afraid. And other social media DOHs. http://wp.me/pbg0R-p9
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@faryna:disqus , Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passions! As I have worked with internationals, and understand often-found wish to spread goodwill, I understand how you received such comments from those where you are located. Glad you were able to explain, and that your friends were able to understand. While the events of 9/11 were not pleasant in any way, shape, or form, the one good thing that came out of it is that many people, many cultures, were forced to take a path of greater honesty and face up to some hard truths. We certainly have a long way to go! Interesting, your perspective on American-Arab relations. We might discuss this more in depth at another time. I have questions about the entire process and detail divulgence related with the death of Osama bin Laden. I’m not sold we, the people, have the actual story. Thanks again, Stan for stopping by my blog and checking me out. I appreciate the heartfelt exchange! ~Keri
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I forgot to mention that I passed by the Pentagon about 15 minutes before it got hit. When you are coming out of Washington, DC into Virginia on the 395, if you want to get over to 66 which goes West along the orange Metro line, you end up swinging around the Pentagon. I was returning from a client meeting. I had no idea what had happened. I think I stopped at a bookstore before returning home. My GF at the time was hysterical when I got home. As she knew my return route and imagined worse things than what she saw on TV. And I had left my mobile phone at home so she couldn’t reach me. After she calmed down, she told me what had happened. We watched the hits and commentary again and again with shock, horror, and disbelief. An Arab friend from college days called me and asked me my honest, immediate opinion about what had happened. My reply was that the Arabs lacked the imagination and creativity for such an operation. There was a moment of silence as he swallowed his pride (the guy has a huge IQ) and he told me that I had hit the nail on the head. Fast forward to the killing of Bin Laden, I took the opportunity to express my disappointment with so called leadership today. Had it happened like I could imagine, how much better our world would be. If you get a chance to read it, it’s here: How to say I’m sorry: A Letter from Osama bin Laden http://wp.me/pbg0R-bA As my friend, Dr. Jack King ( http://www.twitter.com/drjackking ) often says: Leadership is Love – not hate.
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@faryna:disqus , That would be quite an experience to have passed the Pentagon at such the time. Glad you were not directly affected. I used to lead educational tours in Washington, DC, so I am familiar with the lay of the land. Just before 9/11, a study on Arab and Muslim world tendencies had been released – prepared by Arabs & Muslims, themselves. It was meant to be a report that would spur their entering the picture as world collaborators. In it, they touch on the facts of the culture, and how they, themselves, are responsible for many of their short comings — compared with evolution with the rest of the world. “The West” in particular. But that study never came to much light, due to the tragedies. I think this would have made a difference in paving cultural bridges. Do muslims lack the imagination and creativity to carry out such horrific acts. I hesitate to answer, as I try to avoid stereotypes that include all. When the majority of the world’s terrorists have been educated in the USA, I think we must consider that, as every group has a leader. I do believe that the muslim people, in general, and their culture, does not necessarily provide for what occurred. And, I think it is horrible that our world is now in some ways behind where they were in coming together. It was 9/11 that brought about the YES Scholarship program (much like the Future Leaders Exchange program for the Eurasian republics). This was meant to pave the way to more hands-on, personal learning on both sides of the ocean. I trained with a former Ambassador to Jordan, and was designated by the US Dept. of State to work with the students that were chosen for this program. It was the most difficult to facilitate of all that I’ve done, as those students were hard to adjust to cultural differences. That does speak to your statement, though. I don’t believe we, the public, know the real story – of the attacks, and the death of Osama Bin Laden. The pictures of the latter that were released to the public are suspect to me. Do I think that Osama Bin Laden would have written an apology letter? No. Not considering his other historical activities. Would that have been nice? Sure – I think we all hope to experience those with a more genuine heart. ~Keri
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Keri, aloha. What a great post with its perspective. Had social media been around communication would have been far different. The parents of those youngsters would have found out in seconds that there children were okay and not in harm’s way. Keri, I did write a post giving a suggestions for what people could do to honor this day. That post was included in another person’s post who compiled about 7 or 8 different posts of the topic. Aside from tweeting that post, I have tweeted and shared other 9/11 specific posts and videos. What I believe, Keri, is the way best to remember and to honor is to do things for others. Wishing you a fantastic week ahead. Aloha. Janet
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@janetcallaway:disqus , Your post is in my que to read. I’m especially excited knowing the details you shared! You are completely correct – social media would have changed the communication game totally! It was a few years after that students began writing blogs to help keep their families and friends stay informed back home. A fantastic week to you too, Janet!! ~Keri
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Thank you, Keri. This is amazing. The power of social media to help us connect and share on this day is amazing. I like to think about what if social media was available to us on that day, what power it would have had to help us reach out on that fateful day as well? Thank you for sharing this story. You have connected us to reach in and reach out. Be well.
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@twitter-121085582:disqus , The power for social media to connect people is amazing! I too think, “What if?” Had social media been so prevalent then, the events would have happened differently, as well as reporting. It is my opinion that social media has evolved as it has due to those tragic events. Another example of a triumph – a good thing coming from bad. Thank you again for your post, and for your comment here today. ~Keri
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