A New York Minute Can Change Everything
Submission for 'The Moment That Changed Everything"
I got up excited about the prospect of a new start in life in the US; take two from the first failure.
It was going to be a good day. I felt excited. The first day of my new job.
I was staying at a hotel in Clinton, New Jersey, about an hour west of New York City. I was glad to have the saga of my first job behind me. I faced FDA criminal investigations and death threats from company employees. A vendetta from a vengeful management team eager to hide past sins topped it all off.
I was the bunny they had hired from Australia to take the rap for it !
How was I to know?
I was in my room, contemplating the future. It would be a late start since the Executive team was in France at a product launch. “It would be a good chance for me to get to know the people that would be reporting to me,” they had said.
The phone rang.
“Don’t come into the office; we are under Marshall law!” said Jodie, the GM's assistant.
“I replied, not being accustomed to the finer legalities of living in the US.”
“I will call you later; I have to make other calls. Stay in your room at the hotel,” and she hung up.
My mind drifted back to my first night in the US, when I was woken at about 2 a.m. to the sounds of “drop the gun, drop the gun!”
I looked out of my window to see three guys surrounded by about six police and just as many squad cars. It could only happen in America. That's what I thought as the officers handcuffed the guys and dumped them onto the ground. I had seen enough and took sanctuary in my room.
Now this, whatever this is.
“Surely, not again; what is it about this country.” I flicked on the TV.
What I saw has stayed with me forever.
A plane went straight through a building, which then erupted into a fireball.
The news banner flashed across the bottom of the screen:
"Suicide attackers took over two US jets and crashed them into New York's skyscrapers, killing thousands.....… Another plane had been flown into the Pentagon in Washington, DC.......Fourth plane crashed in an empty field in Pennsylvania.”
I could not believe what I was hearing. The audacity of anyone to attack New City in such a brazen way was unbelievable.
Then it struck me.
I was an hour from NY, they had hit Washington, and someone derailed a plane in Pennsylvania. Where we currently lived was an hour from Philadelphia, and McGuire Air Force Base was not that far from us.
I did not know how far. Was this plane heading for McGuire?
I hastily checked my Google Maps—21 miles, about 34 minutes.
"Holy hell." I thought.
"My wife was stuck in Medford, with no family and few friends. I was a couple of hours away, further north."
When I finally contacted my wife, she was better informed than I was. I instructed her to stay put; I would be home as quickly as possible.
****
I did not realize that "Marshal Law" meant the military temporarily replaced civilian rule in the U.S.. You could not go anywhere unless you were an emergency service worker.
I was stuck in a hotel room for five days. I was in the triangle of doom between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. I was also very close to New Jersey's biggest Army base.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
To say that things eventually returned to normal is not true. Many lives changed in a single time shot on that day.
Almost 3,000 people died because of 9/11, and thousands more were injured. The toxins at Ground Zero, the Twin Towers' site, caused cancer and chronic health problems.
The September 11 attacks changed American air travel. Airlines began to require strict security checks. They aimed to stop hijackers' weapons from slipping through. Something I was to experience on many occasions in later years as I traveled the globe for work.
For us, it resulted in a major move back to Australia, and we never know what might have happened if we had stayed in the US. We had just put all our savings as a down payment on a new home in Long Valley, about an hour out of New York City.
It was going to be our dream home. Sitting on about an acre of land backing onto woodlands in a picturesque valley, my wife immediately fell in love with it.
As the weeks passed, I had settled nicely into my new job. My wife had also gotten a good job; what was not to like?
About a month before the house was to be finished, I concluded that I could not proceed with it. There was too much risk and uncertainty following 9/11.
My wife was not pleased. She had finally gotten used to living in the US. It was a rocky start, and my first job caused her a lot of stress. We were lucky. Our attorney used a legal loophole to get us out of the contract, but it strained our relationship.
The trip home was, let’s just say, interesting.
Imagine a 24-hour plane trip from the US back to Australia with barely a word spoken between us!
I felt terrible, like I had let her down and ruined her dreams. The only bright spot (or so we believed) was that my company wouldn't accept my resignation!
I figured this must be some American thing. Instead, they wanted me to continue to do my job in Australia. Now that's remote working! Specifically, eleven thousand five hundred and eighty-two miles (18,678 kilometers).
This had its own repercussions, but that's another story:
If there was any positive from that fateful moment, it was seeing the change in the American people. It showed me how people of all colors and beliefs could unite in the face of a common adversity.
It was amazing to see the change in people's attitudes. They were kinder to each other. The temporary halt to road rage and violence was also amazing.
I don’t know how our lives would have been had 9/11 not occurred. We will never know where we would be living now, what I would be doing, and whether my wife and I would still be together.
I am reminded of this event every time I hear "In a New York Minute" by Don Henley,
The chorus is especially profund and relevant to my story.
In a New York minute
Everything can change
In a New York minute
Things can get pretty strange
Till next time,
Calvin
About the Creator
Calvin London
I write fiction, non-fiction and poetry about all things weird and wonderful, past and present. Life is full of different things to spark your imagination. All you have to do is embrace it - join me on my journey.
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“How Do We Look Indian?”: Student’s Killing Puts Spotlight on Racism in India
The killing of a young student has reignited a long-simmering conversation in India about racism, identity, and the dangerous consequences of prejudice. The question reportedly asked during the incident — “How do we look Indian?” — has echoed across social media and public debates, forcing the country to confront uncomfortable truths about how discrimination operates within its own borders. A Tragic Incident That Sparked a National Debate The student’s death, allegedly linked to racial profiling and targeted violence, is not just an isolated crime. It has become a symbol of a deeper, systemic problem: the idea that being “Indian” has a specific look, language, or cultural marker. While India prides itself on diversity, this tragedy highlights how certain communities — particularly people from the Northeast, tribal regions, migrants, and religious minorities — are often treated as outsiders in their own country. As details of the incident emerged, public outrage grew. Candlelight vigils, student protests, and online campaigns demanded justice, but also something broader: acknowledgment that racism exists in India, even if it is often denied or downplayed. Racism Beyond Borders — And Within Them Racism in India is frequently discussed in the context of colonial history or discrimination faced by Indians abroad. Far less attention is paid to internal racism. Yet stereotypes based on skin color, facial features, accents, and regional origins are deeply ingrained. Students from northeastern states have long reported harassment in metropolitan cities, ranging from racial slurs and mockery to physical violence. African students and migrants have also faced attacks driven by misinformation and prejudice. In many cases, victims are asked to “prove” their Indian identity — a demand that reveals how narrow and exclusionary some definitions of nationality have become. The student’s killing has forced many to ask: who gets to decide what an Indian looks like? The Role of Stereotypes and Media Popular culture has played a significant role in reinforcing racial stereotypes. Films, television shows, and advertisements often portray fair skin as desirable and associate darker skin or distinct features with inferiority or comic relief. These portrayals seep into everyday thinking, shaping how people perceive one another. Social media, while amplifying voices calling for change, also exposes the scale of the problem. In the wake of the killing, countless individuals shared their own experiences of being followed, questioned, or attacked simply for not fitting a dominant image of “Indianness.” Students at the Center of the Struggle Educational institutions, which should be safe spaces for learning and inclusion, have increasingly become flashpoints for discussions about discrimination. Students from marginalized communities often face isolation, biased treatment, and lack of institutional support when incidents occur. The killing has intensified calls for universities and schools to adopt stronger anti-discrimination policies, offer cultural sensitivity training, and establish clear reporting mechanisms. Many student groups argue that without structural changes, expressions of solidarity will remain symbolic rather than transformative. Legal Frameworks and Their Limitations India’s constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination, but enforcement remains inconsistent. While hate crimes and racially motivated violence are punishable under existing laws, activists argue that India lacks a comprehensive legal framework that explicitly addresses racism. The student’s death has renewed demands for clearer hate-crime legislation, better policing practices, and accountability for authorities who fail to protect vulnerable communities. Critics note that cases involving marginalized victims are often slow to progress, reinforcing a sense of injustice. A Moment of Reckoning What makes this incident particularly significant is the national introspection it has triggered. Commentators, educators, and public figures are questioning long-held assumptions about unity and diversity. The narrative of “unity in diversity,” while powerful, can sometimes mask inequalities that persist beneath the surface. Acknowledging racism does not weaken national identity — many argue it strengthens it. By confronting prejudice honestly, societies can move toward more inclusive definitions of belonging. The Way Forward Justice for the slain student is the immediate demand, but many see this moment as an opportunity for deeper change. Experts emphasize the need for education reforms that teach empathy, history, and respect for diversity from an early age. Media responsibility, institutional accountability, and public dialogue are all crucial steps. Most importantly, there is a growing call to listen — to the voices of those who have long felt unseen or unwelcome. Their experiences challenge the notion that racism is a “foreign problem” and remind us that discrimination can thrive anywhere it goes unchallenged. Conclusion The question “How do we look Indian?” cuts to the heart of a painful reality. India is not defined by a single face, language, or culture, yet rigid ideas of identity continue to fuel exclusion and violence. The student’s killing is a tragedy, but it has also become a catalyst for reflection. Whether this moment leads to lasting change depends on what follows — not just in courts and classrooms, but in everyday attitudes. Confronting racism requires courage, honesty, and sustained effort. The hope is that this loss will not be forgotten, and that it will push the nation toward a more inclusive understanding of what it truly means to be Indian.
By Fiaz Ahmed 4 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (5)
Wow! What a time that was, still it keeps happening. hope all is ok now
Great story, I was in Mexico at the time and a disabled friend of mine was going to work in the building. I have written about it but he got lucky thankfully
Good read ✍️♦️♦️♦️♦️♦️
This was interesting
That was a strange time for sure. This was interesting, seeing it in the light from your personal experience. Good luck in the challenge, Calvin.