September 11, 2011

Today, I visited Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial, Salem, Massachusetts.  It took me about 3 hours and 30 minutes driving.  I do not normally travel this far after having many brain surgeries from my near-death experience.  This is so far the farthest distance I have travelled lately.

But, today I wanted to be there!

I wanted to be there to pay silent tribute to the people who died because of injustice and violence and wars.

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 pertain a very disturbing time in our human history, which is the symbol of the tragic consequences of intolerance and injustice.  This Witch Trials of 1692 clearly shows  what life was like in the colonial village in Puritan Massachusetts and the people who were involved in the tragedy.

In the summer of 1692, hundreds of people in the Salem and its surrounding towns were accused of practicing witchcraft.  In October 1692, the witchcraft trials were ended for people who compromised their personal truths and belief.  All other people who chose to die rather than compromise were hanged from witch trials on witchcraft charges in the town of Salem.

This photo was taken today in the Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial, which was built and dedicated in 1992 to remember the spirit and strength of those people who died.

I choose to be there today September 11, 2011 to pay tribute to those who died because of intolerance and injustice.

***

I now know why I was drawn to New York City 10 years ago today.

I now know why I was in New York City 10 years ago today for four days to smell the smoking debris.

I now know why I was in New York City 10 years ago today for four days to see the tears of smoking heat.

I now know why I was in New York City 10 years ago today with one loaf of bread and one pint of the almost rotten strawberry.

I now know why I was in New York City 10 years ago today because I could not come back to Albany from New York City.  No transportation was available, grand central stations was completely shut down due to the another possible bombing attack. 

Ten years ago today, I was in NYC during the 9/11attack for four days. I took a bus about three hours on 9/10 to be a one day translator in "Wednesday Special" from Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

I had an interview appointment at 11:30 at one block far from WTC. When I was about to leave the hotel I was in, I got a phone call from the secretary of the person I was scheduled to interview.

That was how I knew.  I turned on the TV and saw lots more.

I trapped in NYC for four days because there was NO public transportation available to be to come back to Albany, NY.  I could not even cry until I came back to Albany.  During four days, I walked every day to look for the foods to eat. To be honest, looking for foods was my excuse to not stay in the hotel because being in the inside of building was too scared.  I walked and I walked every day! 

I saw crying people on the street!  I saw screaming people on the streets of NY City.  I smelled the smoking debris!

I care about people who are affected by this! I care about their family!  I care about people who lost their loved ones.

I now know why I was in New York City 10 years ago today.   Throughout September 11 attacks, I learned three words, "Unprepared", "Hatred", "Retaliation." 

I know some of you believe 9/11 conspiracy while others believe 9/11 as Al-Qaeda terrorists' attack.

We have to think how to end this endless cycle of revenge and retaliation.  We have to know that there are more people died from the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.  We have to know that there are more people died before 9/11 in foreign soils.

Today, I pay silent tribute to the people who died because of injustice and violence and wars.

I stood there through our grandmothers and the spirit and strength of those people who died in the Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial to pay silent tribute. 

I cried! I cried for 9/11 victims and victims from the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan!  I cried for people who died before their time because of violence and wars.

Let's drop all the weapons!

Let's drop all the Nukes!

I am the NO more wars!

I am the NO more violence!

I am the NO more injustice!

This is the time for us to plant seeds of Love and Healing and Peace!

This is our collective healing time!

Let's give LOVE a chance to LOVE!

Let's plant seeds of Love and Healing and Peace!