Visual Communication

September 11th

It is likely that if you ask anyone where they were on September 11^th, when the Twin Towers were brought down by terrorist attacks, they will be able to tell you.  Personally, I was in my high school cafeteria when I was told of the tragedy.  When the images of the attack were viewed, emotions followed. 

For me, the images brought a great sadness.  The smoke that encompassed the buildings coupled with the images of human beings either leaping or falling to their deaths was nearly unbearable.

However, through the tragedy, there was such great unity. When images were shown of the crowds that surrounded the towers, you could not tell what race anyone was. Their faces were covered in ash and they clung to one another as they struggled to find their loved ones and the loved ones of complete strangers. Men and women, white and black bonded on that day and worked together toward a greater cause, pushing aside their differences. “People everywhere are united now in being possible or actual targets or victims of terrorism and it is terrorists who now occupy the attention of police agencies and military everywhere, since terrorism is now a global menace” (Berger, 2008, p. 66).

Additionally, 9/11 and the images of death and destruction that were portrayed also made us more aware of the fact that there are true threats that exist in this world.  Berger (2008) also states that “…it is through images that…we are increasingly aware of the existence of terrorists and the danger they pose to democratic societies” (p. 67). 

From this knowledge, security measures have increased and travel, at one point, decreased at our airports.  Societies’ method of travel changed for a time because of people’s general fear of flying. 

In my opinion, many American’s felt that they were “immune” from such acts of terrorism.  I believe that it was seen as an occurrence that only happened in faraway lands.  9/11 put into perspective how there is no immunity from terrorism and it changed our culture from being one that feels safe from threats and instead transformed us into one that is much more aware of the fact that we are surrounded by them.

Reference:

Berger, A. (2008). Seeing is Believing An Introduction to Visual Communication.