The Day It Rained The American Flag

At MSSD, one of the short stories I wrote was titled “The Day It Rained the American Flag.” When 9/11 happened nearly a decade later, it felt eerie to have written something with that title years before. In many ways, it captured a truth, because 9/11 brought a wave of patriotism and a sense of unity across the country. Now, 25 years later, it feels like we are in a very different place. Around the world, violence and instability continue, and in some regions, particularly parts of the Middle East and Africa, Christians and other groups are facing severe persecution. At the same time, it is troubling to see some young people expressing hostility toward the United States or appearing to sympathize with extremist views. It is hard not to feel a sense of heartbreak when thinking about how much has changed, and how different that sense of unity feels today.