Member-only story

Five Essays on September 11 and Related Dates: Essential Reading for Understanding the Impact of the Attacks

Langston Hughes

·3.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Welcome To The Desert Of The Real: Five Essays On September 11 And Related Dates (Radical Thinkers)

6 min read

563 View Claps

32 Respond

Save

Listen

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people and sparked a global war on terror that continues to this day.

Welcome to the Desert of the Real: Five Essays on September 11 and Related Dates (Radical Thinkers)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2417 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

In the years since 9/11, countless books, articles, and documentaries have been produced about the attacks and their aftermath. But few have captured the complexity and far-reaching consequences of 9/11 as well as the five essays collected in this volume.

The essays in this collection offer a critical examination of the events of 9/11 and their impact on American society and the world. They explore the rise of Islamophobia, the erosion of civil liberties, the expansion of the surveillance state, and the use of torture in the name of national security.

Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the full impact of 9/11, these essays provide a valuable contribution to the historical record and a much-needed reminder of the dangers of fear and the importance of protecting our freedoms.

1. The Long Shadow of 9/11

In this essay, author and activist Naomi Klein examines the long-term impact of 9/11 on American society. She argues that the attacks have led to a climate of fear and paranoia that has been used to justify a wide range of repressive policies, including the Patriot Act, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the NSA's mass surveillance program.

Klein also explores the ways in which 9/11 has been used to promote Islamophobia and scapegoat Muslims for the problems of the world. She argues that this has created a dangerous climate of intolerance and discrimination that has made it difficult for Muslims to live their lives in peace and security.

2. The War on Terror: A Crime Against Humanity

In this essay, journalist and author Chris Hedges argues that the war on terror is a crime against humanity. He argues that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people, displaced millions more, and created a breeding ground for terrorism.

Hedges also examines the ways in which the war on terror has eroded civil liberties and undermined the rule of law. He argues that the Patriot Act has given the government sweeping powers to spy on its citizens and detain them without charge. He also criticizes the use of torture by the Bush administration, which he argues is a violation of international law.

3. The Surveillance State: A Threat to Our Freedom

In this essay, author and privacy advocate Edward Snowden exposes the NSA's mass surveillance program. He argues that this program is a violation of the Fourth Amendment and a threat to our privacy and freedom.

Snowden reveals how the NSA has been collecting data on millions of Americans without their knowledge or consent. He also describes how the NSA has been sharing this data with other government agencies and private companies.

Snowden argues that the NSA's surveillance program is a dangerous threat to our privacy and freedom. He calls for an end to this program and for strong protections for our privacy rights.

4. The Torture Report: A Dark Chapter in American History

In this essay, journalist and author Jane Mayer examines the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the CIA's torture program. She argues that the report provides clear evidence that the CIA tortured detainees in violation of international law.

Mayer describes how the CIA developed a series of torture techniques that were used on detainees in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries. She also examines the psychological and physical effects of torture on the detainees.

Mayer argues that the CIA's torture program was a dark chapter in American history. She calls for an end to torture and for the prosecution of those responsible for authorizing and carrying out this program.

5. The Future of Freedom: A Call for a New Paradigm

In this essay, author and activist Noam Chomsky argues that the events of 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror have created a crisis for democracy. He warns that the erosion of civil liberties, the expansion of the surveillance state, and the use of torture are all threats to our freedom.

Chomsky calls for a new paradigm that emphasizes peace, cooperation, and human rights. He argues that we must reject the politics of fear and division and work together to create a more just and equitable world.

The essays in this collection provide a critical examination of the events of September 11, 2001 and their impact on American society and the world. They explore the rise of Islamophobia, the erosion of civil liberties, the expansion of the surveillance state, and the use of torture in the name of national security.

The Twin Towers Of The World Trade Center On Fire After The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks Welcome To The Desert Of The Real: Five Essays On September 11 And Related Dates (Radical Thinkers)