Thirteen years ago today New York City was hit twice in unspeakable, unthinkable attacks and 2,800 people died. I remember it like yesterday with the same numb sense of disbelief ... These days I live in the city itself and complain about it on a daily basis--the noise, traffic, non-stop hustle and bustle, sometimes the loneliness in the midst of crowds. But make no mistake, Im also proud to be spending a segment of my life here in this vibrant, exciting place that epitomizes things so wonderful that pure evil would look to destroy it. New York is a ferociously liberal place ... open-minded and huge-hearted. It is home to every ethnicity on the planet, every human accent, every culture, outlook, and attitude--all accepted here with embracing arms. It vibrates with such energy some days as to take my breath away. I walk daily amidst languages I cant decipher, alongside men in turbans and women in traditional African garb, behind bi-racial gay couples holding hands ... with nobody giving them a second glance. People are drawn here from everywhere. They want to see it, breathe it, experience it. Broadway, Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty ... the museums, the memorials, the world class universities, the Revolutionary history. And many of them stay, because here they can be themselves, on Peter Minuits tiny slip of land bought for 60 Dutch guilders in 1626. Manhattan has since come to symbolize freedom, liberalism, tolerance, and yes ... capitalism. There is a reason New York City was chosen to be a marquee player in 9/11.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:26:44 +0000