This past Sunday marked the 10-yr anniversary of the events that took place September 11, 2001 in NYC. A moment of silence.

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Thank you. Now, even before the attacks, there have been issues surrounding American identity, an what an “American” might look like. After 9/11, any reservations many had about trying not to “look” racist went  out the window; communities of color, specifically those of Arab/Middle Eastern descent, were being openly attacked, and many so-called Americans were the attackers.

Regardless of how the laws shaping our society today may look, we are an immigrant nation, our roots deeply embedded in the spirit of escaping persecution and embracing change. Yet today, when it comes to immigrants or change, many “Americans” are anti-the whole idea. Specific to 9/11, regardless if you were one of the FDNY or NYPD running back to try and pull people and save lives, the following days/week/months/years, if you wore a turban or a veil, or had beautiful deep-toned skin, you were assumed a terrorist and were discriminated, attacked, and outcasted, even if you were American by birth.

This article, found in Racialicious, keys in on these issues, and has some great video content concerning the wedge between race/color/creed/language and being identified by others as an American. The article is called “The Racial Legacy of 9/11″.

Read it, feel it, and let’s all take a moment to remember all the things that came with 9/11, and not just succumb to bigotry and racism. Always, stay safe.