Terror Starts at Home

Reflections on a post-9/11 America

Photo by Aidan Bartos on Unsplash

Eighteen years ago, a group of terrorists hijacked four planes and aimed to strike them into key American buildings. Three out of four succeeded; the fourth was diverted by brave Americans who thwarted the terrorists’ plans.

On this day, we remember the lives lost and honor the heroic actions of our first responders. We promise to “never forget.”

Oddly, we also say, “Never again.”

Since this horrific attack that claimed the lives of 2,996 people, terrorism has not left American soil. Unfortunately, a lot of it has come from within. The following attacks were all perpetrated by American citizens:

• On August 5, 2012, white supremacist and Neo-Nazi Wade Michael Page perpetrated a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Page killed himself before revealing his motive.
• On April 15, 2013, Islamic radicalists Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev set off two bombs near the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds of others. They cited the U.S.’s anti-Muslim sentiment as their motive.
• On May 23, 2014, in Isla Vista, California, Elliot Rodger went on a rampage that including stabbing and shooting. Rodger identified as an incel and cited his…