Remember 9/11?
You did, right? I mean, it’s not like since the morning of September 11, 2001 we’ve been indoctrinated by fear and nationalism.
Since the moment the tragedy occurred, we have been told to “remember 9/11”. Before we even had the chance to think about forgetting, we have been reminded to never forget the atrocities of 9/11. But what is it, exactly, that we remember about 9/11?
Like many of my fellow Gusties, September 11, 2011 was spent watching the opening kickoff of the NFL. But what interested me that day was not the pounding that the San Diego Chargers put on the Vikings. It was that every commercial break viewers were submitted to marketing schemes that would make a cigarette company cringe. I sat and watched as phone companies, car dealerships, insurance agencies, alcoholic beverages and networks all used 9/11 to their marketing advantage. The profiteering was heinous.
Remember 9/11.
Many of you might be wondering what the big deal is. After all, it is within the rights of a capitalist society to market our products however we see fit. Why not use the death of over 3,000 American lives and the upheaval of our national security to make a quick buck? Why not show people how truly patriotic you are by waving flags, flying eagles and giving a half-off sale on September 11th only? Reminding people how awful that day was will truly inspire them to purchase your product. Even better, if they don’t buy your product, they aren’t a true American. Because everyone knows that REAL Americans only buy from patriotic members of society.
Remember 9/11.
What was quite possibly the most unnerving was that what was remembered on this tenth anniversary was not the victims in the buildings, or in the planes, or their families. It was YOU. It was about how 9/11 made you feel. It was about what you will do to remember what happened. And you want to know why? Because dead people do not buy anything. Sure, they could cater to the to the victims, even contribute to a family. But nobody really wants to see that. 9/11 happened. It’s done. That’s why we have to remember it, because we don’t want to hear anything else about those victims. Now they’re just milking the attention. So instead of using this momentous date to learn from our history and unite as a nation, we use it to whore out principles for the sake of money.
Remember 9/11.
We say we remember, but victims continue to suffer, both those who escaped from the buildings and the responders on site. Many of the people who actually suffered that day continue to do so, while society, politicians and insurance agencies alike deny them their support. But again, 9/11 isn’t about them anymore. They had their 15 minutes of fame. Now it’s about us: the consumers. We are the group that will fight on for freedom by opening our wallets. It should be noted that the NFL did donate a substantial amount to the victims of 9/11 relief fund. An even million dollars. Not too shabby for the richest sport in America.
But let’s put that in perspective. Coors, the official beer of the NFL, gives the NFL nearly six million for advertising per week. Kudos NFL, kudos.
On this tenth anniversary of the deadliest attack on American soil in history, we salute the fallen by remembering what makes America great: beer, money and football.
Remember 9/11.