Our View: Learn from history while living through history

This week on Wednesday we recognized the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 

We use the day as a time to remember our history, remember where we were and what it felt like when we found out our nation had been attacked, and particularly to remember and honor those who lost their lives, both in the attack and in the rescue efforts afterwards. September 11 was a horrific day that impacted our entire nation, and is impacting us still. 

As we remember the tragedy, we can also remember the feelings of unity that came out of our shared grief. People across the nation banded together regardless of differences in backgrounds or beliefs or politics. We saw each other more as human beings and cared about each other more as fellow citizens. 

For so many who lived through and remember that day, it seems bizarre that there are now legal adults who weren't even born when it happened, and it feels a bit strange to realize that today's children are learning about the event in their history books.

At the same time, we can also recognize that we have all lived through several more major events that will one day fill the pages of history books, especially in the past few years. Even this past week we've seen more tragedies and more history-making moments. 

But this time, we're missing the unity. 

If anything, the historic events of the last few years and even the last few days have only increased the growing divides between people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and politics. Rather than acknowledge tragedy and mourn together, we even fight over who actually cares. Rather than try to learn from history and find paths forward, we dig further into our trenches without listening to or understanding each others' positions. 

As we have our eyes on history, we need to remember that history has its eyes on us. Let's learn from our past, and try to be better for our future.