To break our cycle of chaos, we need to understand how we got here.
Sean’s Monologue: Free Speech Arrests Via Anti-Terrorism Laws
Our guest today is Matthew Warshauer, professor of history at Central Connecticut State University and author of the book Creating and Failing the 9/11 Generation: The Real Story of September 11. Matthew begins the interview by talking about the history of the 9/11 attacks and how the aftermath of this event affected Generation Z, more aptly called “The 9/11 Generation.”
Matthew goes on to talk about The Patriot Act, George W. Bush’s infamous “Axis of Evil” State of the Union Address, and other American reactions to 9/11 that blew our nation’s opportunity to improve international relations at a time when the whole world was reaching out to embrace us. He and Sean discuss what led up to the 9/11 attacks and Matthew shares the current reactions of his university students when they read the Declaration of Jihad. Do other countries have a right to exist and to reasonably defend themselves? How does the US project its power? How does “othering” and xenophobia fuel the extreme right?
Matthew shares the story behind writing his book and talks about the tightrope of examining such a difficult topic with honesty, but also with respect for the American people who were harmed in so many ways. His book strives to delve past “the tragedy and triumph narrative of 9/11” which only covers what Matthew refers to as the “102 minutes” – from the time that the first plane struck the first tower to the time when that tower fell – which is only a small fraction of the full story.
Sean and Matthew talk about the pervasive distrust that young people feel toward government, the upcoming presidential election, and how the Republican Party will look after Trump - ultimately ending the conversation on an optimistic note for the future.
To learn more about Matthew Warshauser, his books, and his fantastic Halloween decorations, visit: www.themindfulprofessor.org