Introduction
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, indelibly altered the trajectory of American history and etched themselves into the collective memory of the country. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the assaults on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the globe Trade Center in New York City, which sparked an outpouring of sorrow, rage, and unity throughout the country and the rest of the globe (September 11, 2001, 2023).
Memorial Description
The 9/11 Memorial was built as an essential embodiment of remembrance in the wake of this awful day, intended to remember the dead and consider the attacks’ devastating effects. The history of the 9/11 Memorial, the relevance of this manifestation of memory, and the planned scope of the research are all outlined in this proposal.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, often known as the 9/11 Memorial, is situated in Lower Manhattan, New York City, at the site of the World Trade Center. This moving monument was officially opened on September 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the attacks, and it serves as a reminder to remember, to be resilient, and to go forward (About the Memorial 2023).
It consists of two enormous reflecting pools with flowing waterfalls that appear to disappear into the abyss, each of which is situated where the original Twin Towers once stood. Bronze plaques with the victims’ names engraved on them surround the pools as a mark of respect for each person lost on that tragic day. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a storehouse for artifacts, oral narratives, and exhibitions that describe the incidents leading up to and following 9/11.
Importance and Social Value
The 9/11 Memorial is a significant manifestation of remembering. Visitors are firmly moved by the memorial’s architecture, which has gloomy ponds and the names of the dead. People can relate to the event personally by using it as a space for grieving, introspection, and expression of grief.
The memorial is essential to the process of everyone’s healing. It provides a venue for survivors, relatives, and the general public to come together, tell their stories, and receive comfort in the presence of other assault victims. In addition to remembering the incidents, the 9/11 Memorial Museum informs visitors about the historical background, the bravery of first responders, and the long-term effects of 9/11.
Focus of Analysis
The planned 9/11 Memorial study will investigate how contemporary public discourse shapes the remembrance of the 9/11 events. What political rhetoric and government policies have shaped the memorial’s depiction of the events, especially how the attacks were framed in terms of national security and the “war on terror.” (Sodaro 125) How the press’s coverage of 9/11 and its ensuing months has aided the public’s comprehension and recollection of the events, taking into account both conventional and digital media.
The memorial’s influence on individual and community memory, investigating how visitors’ emotional reactions, encounters with displays, and participation with the site contribute to the continuous formation of memory. How the monument adapts to shifting cultural and socioeconomic situations, including arguments about immigration, religious tolerance, and civil rights as affected by the aftermath of 9/11.
Conclusion
Finally, the 9/11 Memorial is an essential manifestation of remembrance, honoring a catastrophe that has had a profound impact on American culture and the world. The suggested research will look into how current public discourse shapes the memory of this crucial event, considering political, media, and social viewpoints. Understanding how this memory instantiation changes in response to modern discourse might help us comprehend the long-term influence of 9/11 on our collective consciousness.
Works Cited
“September 11, 2001”, 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Web.
“About the Memorial”, 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Web.
Sodaro, Amy. “Prosthetic trauma and politics in the National September 11 Memorial Museum.” Memory studies vol. 12 no. 2, 2019 pp. 117-129.
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