Many of the aspects of our generation have been defined by the tragedy of Sept.11, 2001. On that infamous day nearly a decade ago, we sat, many of us too young to understand the true gravity of what was before our eyes, in astonishment. We learned more and more of the horrific details that resulted from the elaborate plot as time went on, including its orchestration by Osama bin Laden.
Osama Bin Laden became an icon of evil, anti-democratic and anti-American values. Soon after the tragedy his face was everywhere —bumper stickers, the television, even emblazoned on bottom of urinals as something to aim for. Osama bin Laden had become our generation's enemy.
Over the last decade we have experienced a rise and fall of pride for our great nation. In the months following the attacks on 9/11, this country experienced a swell of patriotism, the sentiment that our country would emerge victorious in the fight against evil. Though over the last few years, we have lost that mentality and shifted focus to tragedies and disasters around the world. The American spirit that had shown so brightly faded away, only to be replaced by distrust, anger and bitter partisanship.
The death of Osama bin Laden brings to this nation something much more than a "Mission Accomplished" banner. This sentiment that was not only visible on DePauw's campus, but throughout the United States and the world will be forever remembered. Fireworks and "Born in the USA," rang throughout campus as we momentarily forgot our differences to remember that our struggles as a nation trump those struggles within our nation. The streets of Washington, D.C. and New York were flooded with bittersweet celebration. This celebration came with a feeling of quiet sobriety in memory of that dreadful September day, but was filled with relief and united cheers. When the news broke, the notion that this country had defeated our most wanted enemy transcended what had normally held us apart.
Sept.11 forever changed our way of life, though May 1, 2011 may have brought a bit of hope back into our world. The visible patriotism is much different than what was seen following the tragedy a decade ago. Our nation came together then, united with a justified anger and sadness. We now come together with a renewed feeling of sadness, but with a drastically different feeling of hope for the future. This new feeling of enthusiastic patriotism has long been lacking, and maybe this is will be a turning point for a brighter future.
Burns is a sophomore political science major from West Layfayette, Ind., and Kirkpatrick a a sophomore political science major from Overland Park, Kan. They are the co-hosts of "DePauwlitics," heard Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. on WGRE.