By Kim Jackson

May 1, 2011 ended for me almost about the same way that September 11, 2001 began…

After ending an 8 hour midnight shift at an automotive factory, my cell phone rang and after wondering who would call me at 9 o’clock in the morning when they know I just got off work; I answered. Only to be chastised upon answering.

“How can you be asleep when the world is ending?” my sister asked.

“What are you taking about? I just got off work 2 hours ago.”
“Turn on the news.”

“Really?” I asked, incredulously.

“Yes, really…turn on the tv!”

“What channel?” I was mentally grumbling as I slowly sat up, not knowing what I was in store for.

“EVERY DAMN CHANNEL!!”

This made me move faster, as my sister (even when upset), is not one to yell. I ran to the living room because I don’t subscribe to a television in my bedroom philosophy.

I turned on the television just in time to see the plane hit the second tower.

An expletive that I dare not repeat escaped my lips and a sinking feeling grasped my stomach. I don’t remember when, but somehow I had hung up with my sister as I continued to watch the attack on our…no, MY country. Even now, when I think of that morning; my eyes mist and a lump forms. I was watching my countrymen and countrywomen being lost to the tragedy of terrorism by the thousands. I ran to my bedroom and grabbed a blanket. I don’t know if it was the Michigan weather or the scene before my very eyes, but I was suddenly and inexplicably cold. After watching every shattering moment; sleep was no longer a concern. The coverage throughout the day held my attention and chilled me more. The only call that I made was to confirm that our shift was still a go for that night, but I accepted none. ‘Shock and awe’ was an understatement of the day. And as the days and nights that followed the attack on our soil; light was shed on the fallen, the heroes, and the culprits. I, as well as the rest of the world, continued to watch every newscast and read every article. No matter the race, no matter the age, no matter the centuries of underlying differences; America banded as brothers and sisters as never before and for good reason.

Fast forward almost ten years to the day. Policies and procedures have been changed and put in place for every entity in our country for safety reasons. Our politicians are at war over war and each other, even in the midst of a historic election outcome. They squabble about the economy, healthcare, real estate, unemployment…you name it; they’re fighting about it with newscasts, political talk shows, and votes. It seems our country is the character from the movie, “Life”…’Can’t Get Right’. Until…

May 1, 2011. I had taken allergy medicine during the day, cursing Mother Nature for the over excess of pollen in Georgia and had fallen asleep on my sofa…again, with my blanket. And, as I often do when I fall asleep there, I woke up with the television still on. As I reached for the remote to turn off the TV and go to my bedroom to sleep as intended; I saw the president’s podium on the screen. Immediately, I was taken back to that fateful morning and my anxiety rose. What was happening now? There is never an address at 11:30 at night unless there was a major problem. The news banner ran across the screen with the announcement of President Barack Obama to address the country with the confirmation of the death of Osama bin Laden. Again, as it was almost ten years ago, my attention was no longer on sleep. My heart beat rapidly as I watched our President announce what the country has been waiting to hear since the attack on our soil. Public Enemy #1 has been stopped, permanently.

I want to say that I am glad, but I honestly can’t. I feel relief that a major threat to our country has been eradicated. And although he was a major threat; we are still at risk. However; I cannot in good conscience, celebrate death. I know many of you will disagree with me and that is completely fine. Yes, he deserved to be brought to justice and many of you will say ‘that was the justice’. What I can say is that I applaud President Obama for taking the initiative to take care of business when his fellow constituents place a halt on so many of his other endeavors to do the same.