Memorial Photo
...ad a chance to tour Manhattan from the bird’s eye view in a quick shot. Cars and taxis were as small as my thumb, and people on the streets were moving like ants seeking honey. Differentiating the height of each building, the larger view of rooftop indicated the taller the building was. Seeing the pace and velocity of activities in the Big Apple, I felt energized by the crowd of people and buildings in one place. Many buildings in Manhattan mixed in styles with gothic decors and modern glass and steel exterior design. While walking on the streets bordered with walls of high-rises, I learned the diversity of New York City and observed the freedom people expressed in the public. I and my friend have visited many ethnic neighborhoods and agreed that the United States was a divided nation. Different races resided in different parts of town, and the minority groups tend to be in a deteriorating, neglected part of town. The diversity is usually more beneficial than harm since the society would be better off with a wide array of expertise and world-round knowledge. However, people have to learn to compromise each other between race and ethnic group in order to live in harmony. Because the United States was trying to take control over the stability of other nations, this caused a conflict between the United States and other nations, which led to the hatred of the Americans in foreign countries. Despite being the world most powerful nation, the United States has its own internal weakness, the freedom. International conflict led to a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001. I woke up on 9/11/01 and prepared myself around 7 in the morning in Sunnyvale ready to leave for work. I and my roommate turned on the TV during the breakfast and were stunned to see the twin towers inferno on live broadcast. I initially thought that couldn’t be real and looked like in the movie. Later learned it was real and fishy, I assumed it was an accident until the second plane hit another tower. I left for work and met everyone in shock at work. The company allowed everyone to leave early on the mayday. Central expressway was deserted just like on Sunday. Heading to Mission College for my evening class, I found the campus closed due to emergency security response. I went home and observed the unimaginable event on TV. First time in U.S. history to see all inbound and outbound flight cancellations throughout the U.S., flights were grounded immediately away from destinations. Thousands of people had to walk out of Manhattan with desperation, frustration, and anger. The tower collapsed one after another. Sign of despair and hopelessness emerged. Our nation was in chaos at least for the remaining of the year. Ever since, we have lost our freedom and lived under ...