In an essay commemorating the events of Sept. 11, Malaya Walker, a sixth-grade student at The University of Memphis campus school, wrote, “On Sept. 11 the skies were clouded with unhappiness, but the outcome was rare and unexpected. It brought people of all nationalities together. Something that was supposed to tear us apart brought us together.”
One year after 9/11, the scars are still fresh for some, and many are still healing. There has been a lot of focus on how adults are coping with life in the aftermath of Sept. 11. But there is another part of the population that has to deal with 9/11 and with fewer resources than their adult counterparts.
A year ago yesterday, the world became real to many of the nation’s children. They saw death and destruction that was not scripted or animated. Teachers and principals were forced to deal with questions and concerns about what many children could not put into words.
“They’re at an age where they are just learning about the world around them, not just their little part of it. It can be a wonderful age, but it can be a scary age,” said Nancy Y. Smith, a supervising teacher at the campus school.
“It was a desperate time because children at that age have no concept of a lack of security, especially at a global level.”
The children who attend the Campus School were more fortunate than some others.
“The next morning I had 16 social workers, psychologist or graduate level psychology students in the building,” said Susan Copeland, Campus School principal. “We dispersed them to each classroom and let them take questions form the children.
A year later, the children have had time to think about what happened and how it would affect their lives. Yesterday the children of the campus school gathered to remember the lives that were lost.
Looking back, Copeland said that she has seen a lot more respect for each other since Sept. 11.
“It was an opportunity to affirm the connectedness that we share,” Copeland said.
“I think of other people more, other people besides my friends and family,” sixth-grade student Carlita Arnett said.
Some students were more affected by the tragedy of Sept. 11 than others. Dee Dee Montgomery, another sixth -grade student, said she is more aware of those around her now.
“I have changed because I am more careful who I talk to. They could be a terrorist, but you have to be nice too just in case they’re not,” said Dee Dee.
“Sept. 11 changed me because I used to take things for granted, but now I know that you can die at any time,” sixth-grader Dominique Stem said.
“I felt scared, hoping they wouldn’t bomb here (Memphis), and I was sad for all those people whose family died,” sixth-grader Valencia Spears said.
Principal Copeland thinks that some students have a heightened awareness, but the majority of children still have a disassociated feeling about Sept. 11. However, the children have learned an important lesson from the attacks.
“When things get hard, when things get tough, we all come together, and that’s what I think they learned. That’s what I am most proud of,” said Principal Copeland.
