9/11 Tragic Memory

What parts of the official memory are being contested and how is that being done? The world is a tricky place. Society has taught people to terminate conversation related to the past in order to heal deep wounds. At the same time, people are producing the risk of its repetition. Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, historian, social theorist and literary critic, defined counter memory as an individual's resistance against the official versions of historical continuity. When it comes to counter memory, one must remember who is involved, the context, and what it opposes. With certain memories, some past events are easily forgotten and others receive importance and worthy of memorizing. Some memories will become evident after disappearing for a period.

Remembering September 11th is an example of retrieving counter-memories as it's also an exercise in an act of remembrance of the lives lost. September 11th is a remembrance of the traumatic events of grief, compassion, responsibility, and a newfound respect for the power of mourning. People have memories of witnessing nationwide displays of politics and war.

People must contest the events of 9/11 in order to fully understand our nations stride of patriotism. Americans have the ability to engage more fully with memories and in order to have counter memories, we must reflect on the past events. We contest the events in a kind of public debate. We seem to push to provide a form of witnessing that refuses human rights violations and violation of civil liberties.