I noticed flag half way while having lunch with 2 young colleagues A and C. I asked why and was suggested (A guessed) in memory of 9/11. It has been 18 years yet it’s still vivid. A and C said 9/11 had ‘forever’ changed America. They were in elementary school then. A remembered worrying about her family members being drafted to go to war, C said since then, she started to notice people with slight ‘brownness’. They felt sorry for the younger generation who were born after 9/11 had never knew/ lived otherwise (in wars, with conflicts). Life before 9/11, they described, you went through airports without taking off shoes and going through the scanners. I never know that part of America, either, yet I remain hopeful for the future…
Over the past 18 years, Americans had elected the first black president and more people voted for a female presidential candidate than the elected in the last election. When people can ‘honestly’ discuss the situation (good or not), it’s a progress by itself. There are ways to go for true equality and inclusion yet I’m encouraged to see the diversity, openness, and generosity around me. I’ve never felt being treated differently simply because how I look. I believe the goodness in people, despite the bad news on TV, or the world wouldn’t last. I also believe that each of us does our parts, e.g. support a colleague, give a praise, learn/ prepare yourself…to make the world a little better, kinder, and healthier everyday!