25 Years After 9/11, Americans Must Remember What Binds Us
The victims of 9/11 “represented the American experiment itself,” writes Joe Daniels, founding president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
A quarter-century has passed since the events of 9/11, and Americans must remember what unites them, according to former National 9/11 Memorial & Museum CEO. Over the years, countless individuals have shared their personal stories about the day, recounting acts of service, unity, and compassion that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Despite the nation's history of partisan animosity, 9/11 prompted people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and political views to come together in solidarity for the common good. Twenty-five years later, the United States faces a worrying erosion of consensus around the fundamental principles that make democracy possible. Recent surveys reveal that a shrinking percentage of Americans hold democratically elected government in high regard, and a growing number endorse harmful behavior towards political opponents.
The rise of moral absolutism has also become a concerning trend, as political disagreements have transformed into crusades, and the pursuit of righteousness has led to a disregard for democratic restraints. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum's creation involved numerous contentious debates, but the museum's founders understood that tolerance for disagreement was essential to preserving the essence of American democracy.
The challenge now is to recognize the importance of maintaining the principles that bind us together, even as the nation remains divided.
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