SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: MY STORY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- ARCHIVE OF TV NEWS COVERAGE OF 9.11.2001: archive.org/de...
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The following is my first person account of the events of September 11, 2001, which I experienced while attending New York University in New York City.
Last year, in anticipation of filming this video I decided to refrain from telling my story (which I have told consistently for the past 16 years) in order to attempt to more purely recount the events as I remember them.
In this video I speak for myself, as a New Yorker who was there. I do not attempt to speak for all who witnessed these events first-hand, but I do feel it is important to describe the experience of community that formed because of it.
Some of the events I describe witnessing are extremely graphic and difficult to hear, but no visual images are shown. Please listen at your own discretion, or that of a parent or guardian if you are a minor.
However, I encourage you to listen to this story even if it makes you uncomfortable, and especially if you've never heard a first-person account of these events.
Thank you for listening.
x KC
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I was a flight attendant at the time heading to Boston when we were diverted to Albany, NY. I found out later that a friend, and fellow flight attendant, was on Flt 175 - Marianne McFarlane. She was 34 yo, sarcastically funny, and had that true Boston accent only someone that was born there has. I think of her every 9/11. ♥
Esmerelda Hakk I'm a flight attendant and it really pisses me off when people say those were not real planes with real people. They were. I know what a 767 looks like and that's exactly what it was.
A friend posted some fake propaganda on fb about how it wasn't real and I about lost it on them. I know I shouldn't have, but the gullibility and callousness of some people is mind blowing.
Thank you for this video and for sharing your story. It was both beautiful and horrifying. I cried when you said you saw Shannon's Dad later that day. 9/11 will be one of those moments in history were future generations will ask us 'where were you?', like older generations had the moon landing and the assassination of JFK.
11th September; I was ill, in bed and watching the lunchtime news (uk). I remember there being a live feed from NY, and as the reporter was talking, the second plane hit. It was clear as day and in the shot behind him. I cannot comprehend how you must of felt at that moment. Just seeing it on TV was horrific. I remember the reporter just fell silent and it seemed to last an eternity. Later on, there were closer shots of the twin towers, focusing in on the people standing in the open windows. Then those poor souls started to jump. It took the news room a few minutes to realise what was happening and to cut away. No words.
I totally agree with you; this should not then, not now, not ever be used to discriminate. It cannot be used to justify hatred.
I was very very young, living in Scotland, when Lockerbie happened. I was too young to understand what I was seeing on the TV. It gave me nightmares for years. Im still jumpy if a plane flies over me. And no, I have never watched Donnie Darko. I remember that Lockerbie was used to justify political motives too over the following years and I couldn't understand why.
Thank you again xx
mishido13 I just posted this but your comment deserves the same response.. I think the main thing that still sticks in my head [being in middle school in WV at the time and watching it on TV] was when the second plane hit.. we were all just shocked; my favourite teacher happened to be right beside of me and she nudged me and said, 'Remember where you are right now. This is going to be the start of something we'll never be able to go back from.. people will ask you where you were when it happened one day, like they did with JFK.' That's probably why she had always been my favourite teacher, she was so wise. I didn't fully grasp it all, being like 12 or 13, but I did look around and I don't know if I'd have made myself remember that day as vividly had she not said that to me.. kinda whispered it at me and a few friends, while we just stared at the TV in the corner of our homeroom with all the lights out.
but mainly, Esmerelda, thanks for sharing your story! Each and every person who lost their lives matters and people really can be so rude and crass with the 'fake' nonsense!!
@@esmereldahakk1660 my english teacher's (ex)husband is a pilot and he had an international flight to usa that day. (From europe). She said the big fear they had that day after the attack and when planes were stopped all around the states. My teacher still having the newspaper what was releast the day after 9/11. I only was 7. Started elementary and in my country its was afternoon when the attack happend, but every tv channels showed the terrible attack.
Wow, this should be a ted talk. I love what you said about 9/11 as an irrational vessel to justify war, racism and hatred. I only knew about what was on the news. It's so refreshing to see a first hand perspective. This happened when I was a child so I only knew the gist and we weren't taught about this in school. I had no idea about the missing posters, the businesses giving out water, and the protests. Amazing video! THANK YOU, Kimberly!
I remember hearing a story of someone who was given a pair of sneakers from a shoe store because she had no shoes---thousands (probably hundreds of thousands) of people had to literally walk home that day and out of the city, across the Brooklyn bridge to get out. I also remember our schools collecting supplies in the days after. They needed buckets and shovels because firemen were digging through the rubble and trying to clear it away so that they could look for survivors and bodies. There were also some spots near the ferry terminal where the firemen would come and rest for a while and have a meal before going back to work. Those missing posters, I can still see them, hand written with cell phone numbers on them telling their loved ones to come home or call them.
Did you know that laughter is the response "emotion" between sad, happy and scared. The reason we laugh at jokes is because our brain actually doesn't know how to respond to the stimuli , which is why when you laugh at a really funny joke, you can't remember it because your brain actually blacks out... because it can't process the emotions .. and laughter is the result. hysterical laughter is the brains response to deep fear and trauma. Thank you for sharing this, I cried watching it on my way into work. Riding the same subway I was trapped in underground after they stopped running the trains. I was 17 and I was my first day of college.
You are an enlightened shining fuchsia diamond of truth! Love you!!
I used to laugh uncontrollably, as a small child, when my mother was beating me. It would enrage her....but, I couldn't stop.
Three points: 1st, I can't imagine being 18 years old and seeing what you saw. I was 23 and in Baltimore and it messed up my head for a long time. I remember walking from campus to my off-campus row house and looking up into the sky waiting for paratroopers (full on Red Dawn style paratroopers) to fall out of the sky. I was a 3 hour drive away and it felt like it had happened down the street. 2nd, unfortunately, at that time I was very naive about media spin and believed everything the news told me. By the end of the Bush presidency, I was mad. I thought Bush would go down in history as the worst president of all time. 3rd, I hope people stick around until 29:00 to hear your message. Our human brains are lazy. They like to generalize. It's SO important to think about people as INDIVIDUALS with unique experiences, motives, and perspectives. It makes me absolutely furious when people (especially people of influence) generalize an entire culture based on the actions of a few. When people make decisions about an entire group of people because of ignorance of what is really happening. Thank you for making this video. I hope it opens a lot of eyes. 💗
I posted a comment before I read yours (love your channel, Jen). Trust me, you were not alone in believing that spin. People much older, who should have been wiser, either believed it or just weren't paying attention. I remember listening to the President's talking points blaming Iraq for 9/11, and they never remotely made any logical sense. I didn't follow world events as closely as I do now, but even then, I could tell things didn't add up. I'm not surprised that people are so easily duped today in the current political climate because of my observations then. Up until that point in my life, I legitimately thought that people just had differing views/opinions on things. I now know that people are extremely easily manipulated to support things that are against their own interests and morals. The human brain is incredibly fallible. Look up "cultural cognition" to learn one of the reasons people are so easily manipulated in our political system (and other realms).
DurdeeD20 - You are using the word "bimbo" and you are picking on MY vocabulary? I have a feeling you aren't old enough to know the difference between calling oneself a "survivor" vs. just talking about where you were when a major event happened. Maybe step away from the internet and read a book or socialize in face to face conversations. You seem to really need it!
Troll...boo!!!
Oooh damn, I didn't know Jen Luvs Reviews was a savage.
Jen, so happy to see you here with such good insight. I love supporting you even more because of this
Why why why did I watch you? I knew it'd be a trigger from the title alone. My family was in New York when 911 happened. In 2007, my cousin Judy died from Lymphatic cancer due to 911. Thank you for sharing your story. Even though I bawled, I love how calmly you talk. Love you KC. Hugs ❤️
On that day I was in my infant daughter's room looking after her. My husband told me what has happened. School was cancelled. My five year old son was playing in his sandbox, innocent and happy. I felt nothing but sadness and what kind of world has I brought these wonderful children into? Fast forward to present day. My son is a senior in college studying biology, psychology, and chemistry, intent on understanding the world and contributing to it through these disciplines. My daughter is a junior in high school, possibly the most kind hearted and open minded person I have ever known. We attended the woman's march last January. I have another son born after this event who is also nothing but open minded, kind and tolerant I am grateful for them because I know they will work towards the causes that will bring people together, not separate them.Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story and being such an inspiration to me and my family. Namaste ✨🌈❤️
Showing this video to my whole family. Your view of the situation is very important and one ignored by the media entirely. I appreciate you sharing this very much thank you Kimberly!
You are honestly so pure. This was so melancholic, but your strength inspires me.
Thank for sharing your story and thank you for not letting fear get to you. I remember watching on the news. I was 22 and it was one of those distinct moments of growing up. I was going to a concert and when I first saw the news I was more concerned that it would mess up the show. I went to work and realized how real it was and how serious.We had the news on and just watched, frozen. It took a minute for it to sink in. Seeing the towers burn I remember a reporter saying " Oh my god! They're jumping!" It was the first time I had ever seen a grown man cry in public. I remember being scared. I also remember how proud we were of all of y'all. People pulling together to help. The comfort you offered one another. The work of the first responders and ordinary everyday people. It was beauty in the middle of something so ugly. That's who we really are. Not what media portrays us as. We are so much more.
I can't believe some crazy people don't believe this actually happened
Allison T I think it's really disrespectful. Real people died on those planes too and there are videos on here claiming there were no planes and no passengers.
Jen Luvs Reviews actually there are some loons here on youtube claiming to have proof of cgi 😯
Allison Morton I remember watching Regis & Kelly when it happened. I was sitting on my couch pregnant. I was so confused at what I saw unfold on the TV. Just dumbfounded. It didn't make sense. I looked at the TV sideways for a minute. I turned it to an a news channel just horrified. My distant cousin is a journalist and was working just a few short blocks from the Twin towers.
Jen Luvs Reviews someone i went to high school with posted a bunch of conspiracy things on Facebook. I was shocked. Smart guy, we grew up in New York and know people who were killed! He also thinks sandy hook was fake too. He does think the World Trade Center collapsed but thinks the CIA did it.
Allison T wow yeah I can only imagine what it would have been like for people involved. I'm Australian and I remember it was night here and we were watching a live update by an American station when the second plane hit.
I was young (7) when 9/11 happened but I remember it so vividly.
My teachers brought in a TV into our classroom and just turned on the news. I don't think they knew how to handle it. I was a smart child and knew that bad guys did this, but I thought it was in my city (not New York) and was worried about my dad, if he was alive or not. A student suggested we pray (Christian school) and we prayed. I cried while I prayed. I don't remember much after that.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Kimberly.
Billy Bob I was 7 too!😓
I was in 4th grade. Suddenly the teachers stopped, left the room, and then they turned the TV on. I came home and my parents had it on TV. It was surreal and even then I knew it was something awful.
I know what you mean w/ the hysterical laughter. It's so hard to process these deeply traumatizing events.
Wednesday Greenleaf I think that's the reaction to pure unadulterated astonishment
exactly!
Hearing him talk about their laughter reminded me of my grandfather’s funeral years ago when I was 13 years old and I was laughing uncontrollably at his funeral (mostly quiet to myself). I could not understand it and was ashamed at my behavior.
@@Kristin465 you poor thing…😞 I think a lot of us have had an awesome experience like that,then shamed ourselves over it.I’m sorry…
Sorry- it wouldn’t let me edit out the accidental “awesome”. That was a mistake!
I was very sick the weekend before 9/11, and I remember being so, so sick-- throwing up-- and my boyfriend came running upstairs to tell me, "Honey, come downstairs, quickly! Something is happening!" and we sat, side by side, on the couch. Watching the live footage on TV. Throwing up when I saw the second tower get hit... laying on the couch, feverish, all day. Not knowing what was really going on because of my fever and the meds I was on. It was so surreal.
Later that day/evening, we had to get away from the news. Had to. So we went to see a movie. We were the only people in the theater. One of maybe 10 cars in the parking lot. I remember feeling numb and crying. So much crying. I saw the live footage as people were jumping. Before the news stopped showing it. All I could think about was the horror those people were facing. That they'd end their lives by jumping, so as to not burn to death or be crushed.
In the days and weeks that followed, I will admit to putting an american flag on the back window of my car. But that was the limit of my patriotism. I was very upset at the following war. I was very upset at the way the area has been "memorialized" since. I'm so tired of war. I was born in 1980. Since I can remember, the US has been involved in a war, 24/7. No more war. It's obviously not working.
Thank you for sharing your story-- I was rapt the entire time. @bluetomato is right-- this SHOULD be a Ted talk.
I appreciate you making this video so much. I am an Arab American Muslim (Texas born and raised) who as you can imagine have been through hearing so much negativity toward Muslims. I was only in elementary when this tragedy happened but just a few months ago did visit the memorial and museum which broke my heart the whole way through. People in this world just need to continue to love and be there for one another. I am so tired of all the hate in this world.
Me and this Muslim lady hug each and cry when we saw this on TV . She said those are hateful Muslim we live in peace .
Kimberly: I am a New Yorker too, you just have to listen to me speak. I was living in Florida on 9/11. But it made me remember working on Wall Street for 12 years. I was in the Twin Towers twice a day going and coming from work. After I had left the Street one of the biggest firms I had worked for had moved their offices to the Towers. How many people that I worked with never went home that night? If not for so many events including the death of my husband from leukemia, would have put me in those buildings that day. It was traumatizing to me. Your account was so real to me. Mine was just what if. I think you are incredible. Be who you are, for there are not enough people like you in the world. I was not so forgiving. But of course all our retaliation was useless. So maybe it's time to adopt a different attitude. Thank you.
Louise Volpe I agree
I just really appreciate this video. I've never heard a first hand account like this. ❤️
Thank you for this. One of my best friend's sisters was killed in one of the planes that took off from Boston and hit the towers. My friend, who lost her sister as a result of the events that day -- is the most loving, accepting, wonderful human. She, too (she = my friend) is APPALLED that anyone would use her sister's death at the hands of fundamentalist terrorists to fuel war or anti-immigrant sentiment.
There are fundamentalist terrorists of every nationality, religion or belief systems. Islam does not have a corner on this, and there are terrorists who call themselves Christians, too.
Violence will never end violence. Full Stop. Only love & compassion have any chance of doing that. Thanks, Kimberly (p.s. I'm Kimberly, too.)
Woman of a Certain Age I am hoping our children and children's children will have a higher conscience.
I gave birth the night before 9/11 happened. I woke up early to my doctor turning on the TV in my hospital room. He made some comments and was just in shock. I was still recovering from a momentous event in my own life and sadly it took me at least a few months before I actually grasped the devastation and understood what really occurred. I was in a fog of having a newborn and I was pretty sheltered. I have explained to my son (now a 16 year old) about 9/11 and it's always a conversation piece that he was born the night before. What a tragic, traumatic event.
PURE DEVASTATION ! I'M ALREADY TEARING UP AS TELL YOUR STORY. I lived in York City when that occurred. I was actually in my high rise apartment building in Manhattan on the 18th floor. And from my window I was able to see what happened from the beginning to the end. I was watching it on TV as well. Every time this year comes around it impacts my heart, it impacts the city of New York. I'm so grateful that people like yourself have made it through. I knew people that was very close to the twin towers. Soon afterwards they encountered severe medical issues.
Oh sweetie. I'm crying as I listen. I am so thankful for Shannon's father! That was the breaking point for me. Oh thank God he was ok! Just thank God!
And I also remember being so angry about the war the was going to take place. It made not sense and I certainly didn't want this at all!
I felt the same about her father-- I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I let it out.
Leslie Le XOXO
Thank you for sharing your story, Kimberly. It's important to teach and share this message. Thank you.
I was a freshman in high school. Because I lived on the west coast, the first tower hit before I left for school. My grandmother called my mom while we were on our way out of the door and told her that it was really important that we turn on the TV. A few minutes after we turned on the TV, the second plane hit. My mother decided that we weren't going to school that day, even though we lived in a suburb of Phoenix that would in no way be a target. We sat there that day and watched the news unfold. At the time, my baby sister was only 3 months old, and I remember my mom clutching her to her chest and saying that she is only three months old, and that she didn't know she was bringing a child into THIS world. It seemed, from our vantage point, that the world was ending, and we were all the way in Arizona. I remember seeing the bodies fall from the tower. The news camera zoomed in at one point to see what was falling, and the anchors were absolutely horrified. We all were. After that, it was everywhere. The next school day, everyone wore red, white, and blue. We learned nothing the rest of the week. People put American flag ribbon (like the cancer ribbon) magnets on the backs of their cars. Our fear had no outlet, and so our first response was patriotism, which everyone thought was lovely, but I have since realized it can be super dangerous. When we stoke our nationalism, it makes it really easy to hate people from other countries, from people who aren't even involved. I remember men with turbans getting shot at gas stations. I remember really racist things being said. War seemed like the natural next step in my household, so I didn't think about it much.
I didn't realize, until much, much later, that the people most terrorized by these terrorist groups were the civilians in the Middle East. This is not to take away from the horror that was 9/11, or any of the Americans killed by terrorists. It was and is horrifying. But I never experienced my school being bombed or my family members disappearing or running from where a suicide bomber had detonated, or praying furiously that my plane would take off before the terrorist groups stopped outgoing planes. Those were the experiences of one of my students who is a refugee from Iraq. It is so much worse for those civilians. We have to see everyone involved, especially the civilians, as actual people. I have had many Muslim students over the years, and they have been some of the loveliest, kindest kids to walk through my door. My advice to everyone is to do some research, talk to people, get informed, and never lose sight of our collective humanity. Approaching our world from a point of blind fear is the worst thing we can do.
911 aside, I'll say this. Great nature / character / personality / honesty / make up and look. Great vid, you told your story well. All the best from Australia
Can't believe its been 16 years since 9/11. I was in third grade when it happened. I remember my teachers grabbing out the tv's and showing us what was going on. Even though I was only 8 when it happened its left an impact on me. Thank you for sharing your story.
Heidi Garrow same here. I was actually out of school that day because we were going out of town, but I remember my mom sitting on the couch watching it on TV. I thought it was a movie until I saw the look on her face.
Heidi Garrow I was the same age and grade! I wasn't in school yet cus the teachers at my school were on strike. But it was so crazy and scary for me at that age!
Heidi Garrow I was about 13 at the time and I remember our teachers not telling us what was going on. A lot of the kids in school were being called to the office.
We need more ppl like you in this world. You are a beautiful human being, genuine, good hearted and extremely intelligent. Thanks for speaking out and making the difference 💖
Wow, I had never heard about how this brought those in New York together like that. Thank you for sharing your story, this was very powerful.
Thank you for sharing your story. I can't imagine the shock you all must have been in. No wonder your emotions were so scattered. I love how it turned into everyone in the city helping each other. It's so rare and a shame it takes a catastrophic event to bring us together.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm in tears.I've always watched documentaries about 9/11 but I've never listened to a single person talk about their experience for an extended period of time. It was my second day of kindergarten, I don't remember much other than my dad leaving work in Boston early. Again, thank you for sharing this.
i came to tears watching this, i'm 15 years old and i've been called a terrorist for being arabic since 5th grade. this video was amazing and i appreciate your braveness and words. thank you
Wow. so much coming back to me. what a crazy time. I was 19 and it was my first day of my sophomore year of college. I went to university of Hartford and planned on transferring closer to home in Springfield ma after the fall the semester but couldn't do it. I transferred Sept 11th. I left Hartford after unenrolling on the first day at 9am headed back up 91 and hearing what was going on, on the radio. terrifying bc I was in a car and hear those plans came from Boston. they fly over me minutes before heading towards new York and I was trying to get home. I remember no cell phone service, thinking of my best friend at Juilliard. I thought world war 3 was beginning. So much. Thank you for this.
I live in Chicago and I remember waking up and seeing the news coverage. I was so shocked. I didn’t know what to do so I went to school and watched the coverage with my classmates. I cannot even begin to imagine how it felt for you or anyone else to have been there to witness it firsthand. Thank you for sharing your personal story and insight.
I had a great friend named Nikesh, who was Pakistani by birth but raised from Infancy in London. He was a citizen of the UK, a member of the Church of England, worked at The Gap in London, and sounded like Prince Charles on the phone. On 9/11/01, he was in Boston spending time with his American girlfriend (A pretty, blue-eyed blond named Beth). And starting that night, he began writing an online journal about his experiences as a brown-skinned Londoner who "looked like a terrorist", trying to navigate his way through the rest of his visit to the US in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack. It was hair-raising, heartbreaking, and enraging. By the end, he was signing off every post with, "My skin is my sin. Nik."
(cont'd) It took him weeks to get a flight back to England, from what was only supposed to have been a six day visit (they sure as hell weren't letting anyone with brown skin get on a plane). So he and Beth decided to go to NYC to sign up to volunteer at Ground Zero in any way that might be helpful. And when they got there, he was "kindly" told by a volunteer coordinator that it would "probably be best if he wasn't too visible. Because... well, you know. But you have to understand, good 'Murikuns are skeered..." One of the things that really struck me the most though, is that as he found himself getting screamed at for getting on a commuter train, having things thrown at him on a bus, or had bigots jumping in his face on the sidewalk outside their hotel, etc? He said his British passport was burning a hole his pocket, and he wanted to yell at them, "I'm Not Even Muslim!" But he didn't. Because he knew that in doing so, it would be like giving tacit agreement with the Instant Islamophobes that if he were Muslim, they'd have been right to treat him the way they were. So he stayed silent, walked away every time, and did his best to keep himself and Beth as safe as possible until they could both just go home.
Stacy M Its sad to hear this. In a kind of messed up way I don't want to believe you. I feel like NOOO me myself an american would never do nor say those things to a Muslim or any 1 for that matter.. Then again I realise the world is really ugly and so I believe your words.. It breaks my heart..
This is such a powerful video not just because of the event but how well you articulated what you saw and felt. and the "not in my name" damn this was emotional.
I'm so sorry sweetheart. Watching your story made me tear up. Your perspective is one we need. You're amazing 💕
Even though the narrative is about a horrific event, it is uplifting and comforting to know that not only you, but a whole community resolved to heal from tragedy by refusing to allow for other tragedies in your name. I can deeply respect that.
You see, I'm Brazilian and my mother's friend was married to an American that was extremely pro-war. My family and my mother's friend were not and so they argued. And the most bizarre thing was when we realized he had no idea about the things we had heard and seen on television about the war. About the dead children, the destroyed homes and hospitals, the abuse and torture of prisioners. I was shocked when I saw that repeated with other Americans I knew and finally getting this notion that "Oh my god, these people don't actually know what they are doing. The news will not tell them."
This brings me further back to the actual day of the event. I was 8 years old, in a rush because I was a little late for school and calling my nanny so we could leave. She shushed me and just sat down, staring at the TV, and I saw the footage of the towers falling over her shoulder. I remember my mind going blank and staring too. It took some time for me to understand what was happening and why, but when I got it, I remember being afraid for two reasons. First the irrational fear of war and how far it would reach, and if there was any chance we would get hurt too, if even the US was attacked.
The second one was fear of the Americans themselves. It's bizarre, because I was was a kid and surely knew very little of politics but I remember thinking things among the line of "They'll be so mad. The US will attack anyone they want and they are strong enough to do it." Even without the knowledge of Latin America's bloody history of US intervention I have now, I knew we were America's backyard (I remember that the US president being the "President of the World" was a common joke back then) and the idea of the US going berserk was just scary, even if we were not related to the incident.
It's just strange to think how at that moment, it feels like the world changed for the worse and fear entered our lives worldwide. I only wish the newyorkers had had their way and we weren't still dealing with the aftermath of 911, in a way.
Thank you for sharing this. I cried the whole way through. My twins were 2 on September 11th. They're 18 now, but I'll never forget their little faces.. starting in wonder at the TV while I quietly cried on the couch. One of them looked at me and said.. "Mommy... Why dat plane hit dere?".
I switched the TV off.. they were only 2. Much too young to see such horror. But now they're not. I'm going to sit down with them on 9/11 and watch this with them. And have a really long talk. About love, and respect, and anger, and hurt.
Thank you, Kimberly. You're a very special person. You got my first YT comment ever.. you were the first person in many years of viewing to make me feel strongly enough to leave one.
You make a difference. Thank you.
so glad you are okay and bless your spirit🔮
I was so deeply messed up from these events and I was in Maine hundreds of miles away. I still have nightmares and when I hear sirens I panic. I was 9 and my mom kept me home from school for a "fun day". I was watching good morning America when everything unfolded so I watched it live all the way to the end. The most memorable moment I have of my mother is when the first building began to collapse, I jumped up hysterical saying "what do we do, what do we do?" And she looked at me, held me as I sobbed on the floor and said, "we pray for them". It was the most helpless feeling of my life, and the day I lost my childhood innocence. I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like to be there in person and experience this first hand. Thank you for sharing your story, I know it must not be easy to recall.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is a great reminder of what really happened in NYC after Sept 11th. I moved to NYC from Chicago shortly after 9/11 and volunteered with the Red Cross. My friend and I worked down at the Respite Centers taking care of the search and rescue workers. It is one of the best things I've ever done and it left a lasting impression on me. Seeing ground zero first hand and smelling that awful smell still lingers in my mind. Seeing the difference between the faces on the those looking for survivors from one week to the next has never left me. It went from hope to sadness knowing they were never going to find anyone. No one there wanted war or hatred to come from from that awful day. I once heard a journalist say, " since Sept 11th, the best has not been brought out in this country." All it did was to allow hate and fear to single out one group of people based on nothing and seems to continue to spread to other groups. As someone who feels very fortunate to be in this country because my ancestors were able to escape religious persecution, I will not stand by and watch it happen to anyone else. No matter their gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual preference. We all bleed the same and we are all connected.
You know the laughter is your bodies reaction to the immense stress. We often have an opposite reaction to a very emotional situation. I can't imagine how that must have felt.
This is incredible, thank you for sharing. I was in eighth grade, I am from Staten Island. I know a lot of families in my community who lost family members that day. I could see the smoke and I will never forget the smell either. I will also never forget hearing sirens for hours, followed by complete silence (no planes flying over the city was really noticeable). I remember seeing cops covered in soot and ash, YES--the missing posters, neighbors waiting for calls from family members. I could go on and on. That year, my parents decided to take us to Manhattan on Christmas day. We walked by ground zero, soot was still in the street. Missing posters still up. I distinctly remember standing there looking at these posters and a tourist coming up from behind us and taking a photo of the posters. But my parents were literally reading off names of people they knew and I was just confused as to why people thought this was worthy of a photo kind of forgetting that for people not living here, the events were a much different experience. I completely agree, New York was the best city the days after. I had never seen anything like that up until then and not again until experiencing Hurricane Sandy. I take the ferry over everyday and it is true, that experience never leaves you. Especially this time of year, it all comes back up.
Also, this is so so important because I am sure you have viewers now who were either very young and even not born yet at the time. It is important to keep these first person accounts alive. There is only so much information you can get from videos or the media. And sadly, many first responders have continued to lose their lives due to illnesses that were caused by being there for months helping with the rescue and clean up. I was certainly afraid that night--I distinctly remember hearing a helicopter over head and running inside because I was so afraid, and in the days and months after. I had a couple of Muslim classmates in high school (this was a year later then) who were the target of hatred from other kids. Sept 11 not only forced us to learn about terrorism but also hatred and fear, that we continued to see in those years after and me myself not understanding the hate and (at 13/ yrs old?) why people would target classmates because of something other people did. The generalizing and spreading of fear was something that I will never forget either. I remember being at a Columbus Day parade, and they stopped the parade to announce that the government had either approved it or actually bombed Iraq (I can't remember now), but the entire crowd cheered--this was a crowd of people who were first responders, they lost family members, etc. It was unreal and still totally confusing for me as a kid who had never witnessed or been alive during any sort of war/non-peaceful time.
Thank you for sharing this, that day is imprinted in the memory of everybody. I was in Medical School in Mexico, and one year later, while taking the Psychiatry course, I was interviewing a patient at a Psychiatric Center and this event, watching on TV the Twin Towers under attack (without knowing anyone there, and never been there) it's what triggered her diease, first postpartum depression, later bipolar disorder. She was ill before this, but that day is the day she completely lost it. I can't even imagine all of the ramifications on people who were actually there.
I'm only halfway through this video so far, but I hope this reminder of how New York and America banded together rather than falling into mayhem will remind us all how community is bigger and stronger than anything else that's going on in the world. Thank you for sharing this Kimberly.
Thank you for sharing your story, Kimberly. I was nine years old and watched the news coverage that morning from California. I was too young to understand the reasoning as to why the US went to war in Iraq, and believed what my conservative parents told me. Hearing you speak about your experience has given me new perspective, and I resonate with how adamant your are against acting with hatred.
I subscribed for the makeup (around the time of the release of your third anti-haul), but I also enjoy watching and learning from your videos about social issues and consumerism. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
One of the things from that day that I've always remembered most was how beautiful of a day it had been before the horror unfolded. Like you said, it had been a beautiful fall day, everything almost seemed quiet at 8am, little did we know how much things would change by 8:45. The beginning of your story really resonated with me because that doesn't seem to be something people comment on or remember but for me the juxtaposition was always profound. Thanks for sharing your story
Melissa Jones-McClay I always remember that was such a beautiful day not a cloud in the crystal blue sky. Until....I remember that day like it just happened yesterday.
4 minutes in and I am in tears. ❤️ I was in high school in the city when this happened. I think 10th grade? On 17th street. Ugh. Anyway. Thank you for posting this. Thank you also for mentioning how you responded emotionally so oddly at first. When me and my best friend were finally released from school we were searching for a place to find lunch. Also I had an Otown concert that night and wasn't sure if it was going to happen. In retrospect those were silly things to be concerned about. Yeah. Still can't really hear about or think about 9/11 without tearing up. A lot of kids in school were worried about their parents. ❤️ And I'll always remember walking around the city with all of those missing posters everywhere. Just so heartbreaking. ❤️
Also remember the feeling of thinking you'll never laugh again.
Thank you for sharing. I was a sophomore in high school in the Midwest at the time. We were in the middle of taking a standardized test and turned the tv on during a break and saw the second tower hit. The rest of the day is a blur except I remember a bunch of seniors saying they were going to enlist and having this feeling that everything had changed. Now, as an adult and having learned more about the events, the part that really REALLY cuts to the core and makes me break down is when I see pictures of or hear people talk about those who jumped out of the buildings. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like for those people.
You are an amazing human and your message is so important to hear. As someone living in western Canada I remember my fear and every moment of that day. It was my first day of college and a friend of mine had just moved to New York. We could not get ahold of him until the next day and every phone that rang I held my breath hoping it was his voice on the other end of the line. In Vancouver the day carried forward but was anything but usual. Everything was silent as though the city was holding its breath. It took several days for us all to catch our breath. Hard to believe that it was 16 years ago, for me it feels almost like yesterday. I was a TV viewer from far away and it still set my world off kilter. I found myself looking to the sky in fear and just waiting for the next "thing" to happen and maybe the next "thing" would be where I was.
Halfway through watching this I realized there were tears rolling down my cheeks. The fear that day and the heart ache for New York that followed will forever be scorched into my being. The answer for hate and violence is never more hate and violence and hopefully this message from someone who was there will reach the ears of people who are in power and can make change.
Thank you for sharing your story and continuing to fight for peace. I was a sophomore in college in 2001, near Wright Patterson AFB, so we were on alert for a potential attack. I visited the 9/11 museum last year and the most powerful part for me was the alcove dedicated to "the jumpers." One quote said that though it felt wrong to watch, he was moved to be with those people in their last moments, so that they weren't truly alone while making the most unimaginable decision. It's incredible to think just how much the world has changed in 16 years. I'm glad you continue the good fight against hate and injustice. Xoxo
I probably should not have watched this while putting on makeup, it really brought me back to that day, exactly what I felt as I watched the news from Brooklyn. I had graduated from NYU a few years before you were there, you reminded me of all the places I wandered. I was supposed to be in grad school in the Bronx that day but I was ill. My mom was out by Kennedy working and called me and told me to put on the news. It was like a suspension of time and reality. My sister was on the UWS, she and her boyfriend had to walk through Manhattan and across the Brooklyn Bridge to come home, there was no other way. The overwhelming feeling was the feeling of caring and camaraderie from our fellow NYers, everyone chipping in to help each other, and also the kindness of the volunteers coming from other states to help at Ground Zero, it was tremendous. Yes, there were negative incidents on the small scale, both provoked and unprovoked but overall the city held together using their humanity, putting aside the differences.
Kimberly -- THANK YOU for your honest, thoughtful, and very important story. ♥♥♥
Ugh my heart sank when you said they told you they knew they weren't getting any patients. I was in middle school in the Los Angeles school district and it was my first day of 7th grade. My homeroom teacher was watching it on tv and he ran up to turn it off when we realized the things flying out the windows were people jumping because they didn't want to burn to death. The whole day the teachers were very gently trying to explain to us what was happening without scaring us, but they couldn't hide the looks on their faces. I remember thinking it was a horrible first day of school for us, but it must have been life shattering for so many students who were actually there.
Thank you. I watched in college from Canada at 17 that day unfold. So much chaos and confusion. I can remember the bodies falling from the towers, and eventual collapse. Thank you for sharing how NYC came together to support each other when they needed one another the most
Wooo weee. I'm going to have to listen this in segments. Imma gonna bawl my eyes out. 😪
Wow! I’m actually watching this today 9/11/18. NEVER FORGOTTEN! ❤️ Thank you for sharing Kimberly 🙏🏼💕 Peace and Love to all
Kimberly, you have no idea how much your story touched me. I am from Georgia and I was just becoming a 7th grader, I was in chorus class whenever this was turned on the TV, I had never even heard of the twin towers and being that young, I had no idea what happened, much less remotely wrap my head around it, but I knew something was majorly wrong....I remember just crying my eyes out but not really understanding why. This video is amazing and I really wanted to thank you for sharing your first hand experience. ❤️
I will never forget that day...a friend who lived in Hoboken NJ which as you know is right across the water from the City said that September 12th in Hoboken and Jersey City was desolate...no one was rushing down the streets, the bus stops were empty...we lost so many wonderful people the day before and it was brutally apparent the following day. Thank you for sharing your story Kimberly 🖤
Kimberly, thank you for telling your story. It was very moving to hear from someone who was as close to what was going on rather than what was heard incorrect newscasts and speculation. September 11, 2001 was the first day of kindergarten for my oldest daughter. My other daughter was almost 2. I had brought my oldest to school, went to new parent coffee and then headed home. It was a beautiful day here in Massachusetts. I was feeling so wonderful even though I worked until 3am in the ER. The weather was my happy place. My husband actually had the day off and when I got into the house he rushed out of the shower and said to turn on the tv. He heard on the radio in the shower a plane hit the World Trade Center. From that moment on I knew our lives and many other people as well would never be the same, I was glued to the television. Then it hit me. Someone I had seen working in the ER was leaving on an early flight for his vacation. I found out later in the day through co-workers (we all had the day off and were on the phone on and off during the day) he was in the plane that hit the South Tower. I realized very quickly that if this was a terror attack like it seemed to be the US would be looking for whoever did this. I am with you and I don't understand why Bush went after Iraq. I could go on a rant about that but this is long enough. I think you are an amazing activist, feminist and just an all around good person. I have learned so much from you about consumerism as well as many other topics. The Boston Marathon is the tragic story in my life and I don't like to talk about it just yet. But Boston, like New York City came together. I am so glad you shed a great light on the people of New York City and their kindness. It really goes against the stereotype of what people think. Ok, this is long enough. Thank you again for a great video!
I was 6....I don't really remember much other than my mom making us watch the news...shortly after my dad was activated. I remember going to the base and everyone being angry and afraid I remember staying in a tiny one bedroom hotel room so we could be together. Thinking back to that time even now makes me so sad because even being so little I remember the fear and anger and hate that came from this event. I remember growing up and being angry and hateful about this attack because I was raised to feel that way. Now that I'm older I try to stay more open minded, just because a few people from one country did something horrific does not mean every single person from that place is bad. I wish more people would realize you can't blame an entire country for one persons actions. I can't imagine witnessing all of what took place in person. Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts it has opened my eyes and I won't forget it. Love you Kimberly! ❤️❤️❤️
There's a feeling you get that you can't fully explain to others who haven't been through a disaster. I went through the 2011 Christchurch NZ earthquakes and saw buildings collapse around me, people injured, dust everywhere... My friend saw a bus full of people crushed in front of him, and he's never really recovered. After, I just remember people wandering, and congregating in parks and open areas, just looking shellshocked. I was actually in my first year of university too when one of the massive aftershocks happened. The university is away from town (where the epicentre was of the most violent aftershock) and my dad texted me in my first lecture: "Buildings collapsing. People are dead." And I didn't hear from him or my family for six hours. I remember bursting into uncontrollable tears--a feeling I'd never had before or since--and running out of the lecture theatre. I probably cried for about three hours, without being able to stop.
My point is that these stories NEED to be told. Thank you for sharing, Kimberly xx
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I was a freshly turned 21 year old girl that worked at the Pittsburgh International Airport the day of 9/11. I was listening to Howard Stern on the radio (pre Sirius), prepping food for our lunch crowd, when all I remember was him he screaming and cussing on the air! I felt like it was some kind of joke, that was until I walked to the front of the deli. All I saw were mass amounts people running for the exits, something out of a horror movie. We were made to stay and close up until everything was under control. I'll never forget the eerie feeling walking out of the empty airport that day and the dead silence of the sky, then going home to watch it all come full circle on every television station. It really is a day that changed America. #neverforget
As someone who was only 2 years old when 9/11 happened, thank you so much for sharing your story. I obviously don't remember a thing as I was all the way in Texas and had no understanding of anything going on that day. Thank you for your words, your activism, and your courage to share your perspective on this ❤️❤️
First year of college makes her my son's age. Alone in NY during 9-11.. I find myself wanting to give her a hug. 😢
Sending love to you and your son.
@@kimclarkqueen Aw.. Thanks. Same to you.. 💞
Thank you for sharing your story. I lived in Minnesota at the time. I was probably 26 years old. I watched everything on the news. The part that I remember the most was the absolute silence after the event. It was like the switch to the Twin Cities had been clicked off. No airplane noise, no traffic noise, there was no noise outside or inside my apartment complex. Everyone was just waiting.
I was a flight attendant at the time and it took 2 days for me to get home. When we got back to the airport where our cars were parked it was the most eerie thing I've ever heard. The absolute silence was haunting.
Thanks for sharing Kimberly. You're a great orator. My cousin was also at NYU at the time.
I was living in San Francisco on 9/11 and I remember turning on the tv, as I did every morning before work and seeing the fire and smoke from the first plane hitting TWTC. All I could do was stare at the tv and repeat "No Way" over and over. I somehow got to work that day near The Embarcadero and I remember a couple of things that stay with me about that day, from my perspective, on the opposite coast 1. It was a beautiful day across the entire nation...not a cloud in the sky (except the gigantic cloud of smoke hanging over my most favorite place and city in the world) and 2. That kindness you talked about spread to my city too...for about two weeks everyone was so kind to one another...even the "aggressive pan handlers" we're nice. Thank you so much for sharing your story!!!
It was fascinating listening to your story, your account of that extremely sad day. I still feel in shock about it to this day and lovely to hear that the community came together during and afterwards. Thank you for your account. I only watched it from another country on a television set. I actually thought it was CGI because the sound was off and I couldn't believe something so terrifying was happening. Then I turned the sound up. I'll never forget it ever. I also didn't understand what happened after with war starting, but I could see how people got very angry and reacted, but it was an awful shame. It would be lovely if people could have that caring community spirit all the time, but things seem to conspire against it. Thanks again for this film.
thank you for using your platform is such an inspiring and educational way! your story breaks my heart and i can't even fathom what it must have been like for others. I was 8 years old at the time and I'm german, but I still remember walking into the living room and seeing those images on the news. your message is so important even 16 years later and i can't believe how much hate and bigotry there is in the world. thank you for sharing!
Thankyou for telling your story. I got chills, i couldn't even imagine being right in front of it all :,,(I was about 11 and I lived in England at the time, i remember the breaking news coming on every channel and i remember being so afraid and crying. It was a day that ill never ever forget. So thankyou for bringing a first hand story of what you went through as a teen living in New York during that day. I love you so very much Kimberly. Xoxoxo
Wow thank you for sharing your story. A few of my friends in school lost their parents on 9/11. I was only in 7th grade and I remember going to sleep that night so terrified. I live about 20 minutes north of the city & my parents said they could see the smoke from the buildings. I can't believe it will be 16 years. Thank you for sharing your experience with us KC. I am such a proud New Yorker & American! xoxo
Omg, thankyou for sharing this. I plan on telling my own 9/11 story (very different as I wasn't there in person) because of this, because your message and your experiences and thoughts afterward are so important for people to know and think about.
Beautiful video. Beautiful message.
Such a senseless loss of innocent lives. I can't imagine what it was like to witness that in person. ❤❤
If there was a way to give you an online standing ovation I would be standing up giving you one. Thank you for sharing your story with us. ♥️
I was in high school and by 2nd or third period the first owner fell down. I'm in California and we just watched the news all day at school not understanding how really really horrific this was until I was in my twenties an revisited the news footage and the fact that I was now a nurse made it all the more real how just BAD this event was. And my heart wept realizing how the government and media took advantage of people's utter misery and put gasoline on the fire of hate. Insulting is the right word for how this was spun. Much much much love to you my dear Kimberly. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
All I can say is wow. I hope this goes viral, and people learn from this. You're amazing
Thank you, Kimberly for sharing this. There is no justification for hate. We need to love more...more than ever.
I will never forget 9/11, the shock, sadness & loss of innocent lives. People trying to find their loved ones and yet the tireless work accomplished by many to save lives. The strength & resilience the fine people of NY showed day in & day out. I can't imagine the pain you felt seeing this at 18 years old. So proud your family supported you by visiting & calling you on the phone Kimberely. This is true spirit, grit & a community coming together to support each other. Absolutely amazing.
Kimberly, I was in NC and I was glued to the television when it happened - I cried for 4 days straight. I still did not become anti Muslim and was vehemently against the war in Iraq - yes we knew it was a sham. To this day my heart breaks that xenophobia is driving poor political choices and though I'm just one vote, I do what I can. Thank you for explaining the passion behind your activism. You're an inspiration to me to find ways to be more activist even with my RA...
Thank you for sharing your story, KC. I, too, was a freshman in college. Not in NYC, but in Philly. There was definitely a huge feeling of solidarity with our sister city. ❤️
Love you so much. My boyfriend is from New Jersey. You can imagine. I have a similar story about the first reaction. No one understood it. It feels like that day never ended. We are still fighting that war and the wound never got healed.
I absolutely love you. You inspire me with every video. You live in my city now and from one WHO DAT to another, we sure are lucky to have you
Thank you for sharing. I just hope that your story reaches the people who need to hear it most, those that fear and hate difference in others- that they can find comfort from a first hand account of the experience & that the didn't cause the people of New York to live in fear and prejudice.
I feel so fortunate to hear your account. I'm in California and I remember having one of the first days of class sophomore year. My radio alarm woke me up and, since we are 3 hrs earlier, the accounts of the second tower being hit was on the news. For a moment I thought I was dreaming and as I came to my heart started pounding. This was really happening. School was cancelled and all of us stayed glued to the tv, going between crying and complete shock 🙁
Like others have said, I can't believe some idiots still think this is some sort of wag the dog type scenario!
Watching this brought me to tears . How clear you are about unification.. makes me so proud just to even watch your videos. This story this event moved the world.. I've never believed in the propaganda about 9/11. People always get so angry when u bring up stuff about it up. So glad you brought this to your platform.. and I know I am deff glad to hear this from not just anyone but you . You always make me laugh and such an amazing energy .. but to know u have this past just makes everything come together and to understand why your content is the way t is .. remembering sending our fire fighters down to ny we actually have a beam at our fire station only a block away from me in meaford Ontario . Love u Kimberly with all love and respect ❤️
Thank you for sharing this!!! I took care of a man when I was a hospice nurse who made pizza and brought it down to ground zero everyday he had a wife and two teenage boys so sad! And the bombing of 93 my close friend her father was one of the few killed in the basement...it is just something you never forget xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story and your viewpoint on the events following 9/11. Your wording and vocabulary never ceases to amaze me. We need more educated minds like yours speaking out for anti-war campaigns.
I got choked up...very powerful story. I'll be thinking of you on the 11th, Kimberly.
I started watching you because of your anti hauls and I loved your outgoing personality, but now I also have a profound respect for you. I unfortunately experienced war, although I was very young I remember a lot of it and still today I see the consequences; how it affected the people around me and how its still affecting them in their day to day life. What many don't think about is that even though the war ends, the effects and the trauma stay with you forever. Today I live in a different country and am currently studying international relations. What I find sad, and quite frankly scary, is how easily those who have never experienced events like these, support the idea of war and conflict. And I also noticed that those who have been through traumatic events and who would be "justified" to, say, support an invasion, they usually have quite the opposite reaction; just like you, they are usually the ones who wish peace. When asked why history is important to learn, some may say so that we don't repeat the same mistakes over again.It seems that however we are slow learners because even though we have experienced so much conflict throughout human history,not to mention two world wars, we still go and do the same. These last few weeks there has been lots of focus on North Korea and unfortunately many support the idea of just bombing the country without having any clue what that actually means. Yes you might disagree with the leadership in North Korea,but who exactly would you bomb? The children? The sick? We seem to forget that when a bomb is dropped, the innocent people around aren't immune to it. Unfortunately it's always the innocent who suffer the most in any conflict. There are always other ways. Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to thank you for using your platform to share your thoughts with all of us and hopefully it will make some people stop and think for themselves without feeding into everything the media is telling them. Looking forward to your next video :)
Lots of love
I almost cried when you said bye. I though tears were coming to your eyes. Must be so shocking and heart-wrenching to see all that and to have to see people taking those decisions and going into a war in the name of the NY city and America, but only motivated for their own selfish reasons. Human kind can be so cruel and so selfish.. but at least you got to see it differently and you could see how solidarity and kindness among newyorkers bloomed. I hope one day those wounds that might remain heal at last.
KC for president 2020. Thank you for this. Beautiful accounting of events. I appreciate always the chance to open my mind a little bit more.
I was in a Midwestern middle school when it happened. All day we watched TV in all my classes and my school was just chaotic. You really went through a lot on 9/11.
Appreciate you sharing the first hand story. It's intense, we all can remember where we were that day, what emotions came. So so tragic.
Thank you for sharing your story Kimberly. I remember that my cubicle just so happened to be right across from a lunch area that had two big TVs so I could hear whatever happened to be on. I remember walking out of my cubicle to the news that the first tower was on fire. As things unfolded, there was a large group of us just standing mesmerized at these two big TVs and I couldn't walk away because of where my desk was located. We were in shock. At the time I lived in Lake Charles, LA and I remember that people were worried because there are so many chemical plants there and also the reserves that are down in Cameron parish. We were worried that maybe they would also be a target. People started leaving work to go fill up their cars and gather their families. As with most of America, we watched long into the night. I want to say that bad people come in all skin colors and religions. I felt so bad for all of the wonderful people who just so happened to be the wrong shade of brown or the wrong religion and the hate that they endured after that day. I am an American and I am not afraid. I'm very distressed at our current government for all the talk of muslim bans and white supremacy. Hate is a disgusting thing and I hope that one day, we will stop judging and being fearful of people that don't look exactly like us.
Thank you for sharing your story. My cousin worked close to the Twin Towers, but was at home in Queens that day. Thank you for your message of love.
I'm from Canada...and I heard from here how wonderful New York was after 9/11. I heard for many years from people who travelled there that New York had changed for the better. Thank you for sharing your story. I watched the entire thing. The last 8 minutes are amazing.
What a great message, you really made me think about the war in retaliation to 9/11 in a different light. Not exactly sure why but I majorly choked up once the video was over. Thank you again boo for this moving video 💙
Thank you so much for this Kimberly, for your story as well as the archives below. Lots of love, Monica.
I'm from Germany and just been to NYC this summer and visited Ground Zero and it was... scary, I guess. Thinking about the number of people who died and the effects it had on a whole nation. I think it's SO important that you tell us about your thoughts about everything that happend after 9/11. My history teacher once said "History never changes, history only repeates itself." and that stuck with me ever since. As long as we keep fighting fire with fire, the same stuff will happen over and over again. I'm only 21 so I was 5 years old when 9/11 happend so I have no connection to it but I think it's so important to educate yourself to better the world by your actions and believes. Thank you for sharing your story and helping me broaden my view on this event! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story. I think the message of not using violence to perpetuate more violence is a very good one more people should take to heart.