Two Dark Days

     This week, both the United States and Chile observed September 11, a day with historic and tragic significance for both nations. In the U.S. we saw the 12th anniversary of an attack on our nation. Chile did as well, but their dark day was far less recent, happening over 40 years ago. On September 11, 1973, the Chilean government was overthrown in a violent military coup which resulten in the bombing of their capital building and the subsequent death of their president. After that day the country was put under the leadership of a militaristic dictator whose regime was responsible for the death and torture of thousands of Chileans and lasted nearly 20 years.
      From what I've seen, the day is remembered differently by our two cultures, but at the same time we share some similarities. For the United States, it is a day remembered, for the most part, quietly, even sadly. It is a day for a moment of silence and reflection on the pain and loss our country has suffered as well as respect for those who have helped to save and protect it. Recently, however, the idea of September 11 has been changing in the U.S. The day seems to be changing into one of action rather than mere reflection, encouraging voluntary service, and improvement of our communities and our nation.
     In Chile, September 11 is viewed both similarly but with some profound differences in the demonstration of these views. There are quite a few who look on the day with the same sort of quiet respect we see often in the United States. Many vigils are held, candles can be seen popping up in various locations, and people just a seem to carry themselves with a bit more reservation. However, just like in America, there is also a need to take action that can be seen by some. Protests. Riots. Expressions of a longing for change and progression, demanding compensation for the travesties of their past and the problems of the present. Anger at the suffering they endured. Since the death of the former dictator Augusto Pinochet a few years ago, these acts of political frustration have become less and less common, but they're still a part of the culture.
     Perhaps what is most...concerning about the Chilean reaction to this dark day in their history is that it's growing less and less. From my conversations with locals, with each year, there are fewer vigils, fewer protests and fewer people showing their remembrance. One of my professors was upset that the Chilean national soccer team had a match that day because it was a very clear manifestation that people were no longer viewing it as a day to remember, and are even celebrating other things.
      I mean, I can't say that it doesn't make sense. It was forty years ago, fewer and fewer people are around who it directly witnessed the day, though many suffered the effects long after. However, a country, just like a person, can't be asked to stay in mourning forever, and it makes me wonder how the United States will view 9/11 thirty years from now. Will we too begin to forget? Have we already? It also makes one question what is the right response to such events. Is it good/right to remember and act as we do forever and how does one move on from such atrocities as these? I guess we won't know until it's happened, but it's definitely a subject that deserves serious attention. All we can now is that now, we still feel the pain of loss and will for some time, and should continue to remember this day for as long as it feels right to us, not being hindered by the facts of the past, but not forgetting their importance and effects as we create our future.