Now that Sept. 11 has come and gone, I have a few things to say about our nation. First, we have a big heart. Second, capitalism is alive and well. People say that the spirit of Americans will never die. I agree, but if anything could overcome the emotions brought on by Sept. 11, it would be our insatiable need to spend money. Unscrupulous companies shoving their wares under our noses don’t help matters, either. Every summer, I hate going into the supermarket because I get disgusted with advertising ploys for the Fourth of July. Starting before school is out, manufacturers and stores bring out the big star-spangled everything and plaster it all over our towns. You can’t escape it. From the library to the playground to the light posts downtown, “patriotism” is displayed, along with the name of a store where you can conveniently purchase items to show your own “patriotism.”
Don’t mistake my intention: I love my country. I think showing patriotism is a good idea. I display the Stars and Stripes at my own home. I object to exploiting patriotism. Why in the world does anyone need a set of ice trays that makes little star-shaped ice cubes? I’ve even seen a grill with the flag painted on its shelves with a price tag nearly double the price of comparable grills.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I was proven wrong this August. Not only do I have to put up with it May through July, but again in September! I think it’s great that out of something so tragic, apathetic Americans were able to stand up together and rejuvenate lagging patriotic pride. I was amazed that everyone showed as much unity as they did.
However, the retail corporations couldn’t leave it alone. Itching for an extra buck or two, they dragged out the Fourth of July supplies for another round of sales. Tons of napkins, plates, tri-colored forks and star-shaped straws reappeared. And along with the normal July selection, key chains, pins, hats and ornaments were sold, all sporting that picture of the firemen holding the flag from Sept. 11 that has been seared into our visual memory.
The item that shocked me the most was in K-Mart. I was shopping for kitchen stuff before I left for school, when suddenly I stopped dead in my tracks. Before me were stacks of large rubber George W. Bush figurines. These dolls weren’t just the likeness of our president, their heads bobbed, and you could push a button on the base of the podium they stood behind and hear a portion of the speech President Bush gave on Sept. 11. I couldn’t believe it.
As my fellow columnist Tony Odom suggested, we should remember Sept. 11 with a living memorial. Let’s not let capitalism take the day over. Let’s not let Sept. 11 become another holiday when we are forced to spend money. Let’s continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors and just try to be better people. That’s the best tribute of all.
JanaZ Hatcher is a sophomore political science major. Send comments to [email protected].