“Turn to page 102, we need to finish this next chapter” Ms. Goodson told the class as she sat in front with her long purple flowered dress.
I love this book so far. I actually never loved reading before but secretly, I already finished this book. She gave us two daily chapters to read at home but after the first few, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. (The Outsiders was the book that would spark my reading interest)
I turned to page 102 as the thought of Johnny still ached in my heart.
The loud speaker came on.
“The following students, please grab your stuff and head to the front office. You are going home.”
We sat in silence as a long list of student’s names was being listed off. Confusion on all our faces as well as my teacher.
The classroom phone rang.
Ms. Goodson walked towards it with a look of stress. “This is Goodson.” She responded to the phone. “Ohh okay.” She responded with a click.
She walked to our rolling tv and plugged it in. “The principal said it was okay to show us. Something happened in our nation.” She said as she turned the tv on and searched for the news station.
Just then the images of burning buildings and sirens filled the screen. The news reporter looked with fear and large eyes. “We just received word that there are further threats around our nation.”
“What’s going on?” One of my classmates asked Ms. Goodson.
She looked fearful as she explained to the whole class. “I am not sure but it looks like those planes hit the buildings on purpose. It’s okay kids. We are safe at school.”
“Then why are all these kids being picked up?” Another student questioned her.
“Because this has never happened before.” Ms. Goodson tried to explain.
The loud speaker came on.
“The following students, please grab your stuff and head to the front office. You are going home.” The front office staff listed another long list of names.
By the end of the day, it was only a handful of students left in each classroom. I was one of them. Teachers tried to comfort us as to why our parents didn’t come get us. I knew my mom would not be able to as she had to work, and it was also her birthday and she had breakfast at school with my little sisters.
The whole day, our teachers tried to explain in their own protective words what was happening in our country. They allowed us to watch the news but then other teachers choose to let us talk and watch movies.
This day was before internet, was before social media apps, was before rapid fire information. We could only rely on images on the tv.
“My mom is a flight attendant, she had a flight to Boston. What if she is dead? What if she was on that plane?” A classmate asked our teacher with tears in her eyes. Our teacher comforted her as best as she could. She was later picked up and thankfully her mom was okay.
My mom picked us up at the regular dismissal time. She was sad and explained she knew we were safe at school. We didn’t mind as we stayed with our friends and teachers let us watch movies. We then went to dinner at a local restaurant for her birthday. It was empty, we were the only ones there. We went to a local Chinese Buffet and they had the tvs on the news. The images played over and over again while we ate in silence and asked our mom, “why?”. She had no response but said “let’s pray for all those people.”
At school later that week, we made the US flag out of safety pins and beads. We made a ton of them. As a class we sold them all over the school and raised funds for a charity in New York. We made the pins during our elective period and we talked about the tragedy. Our teacher came to the conclusion that the reason a lot of parents picked up their kids that day was because we are close to NASA and some feared it would also be targeted.
The days that followed were filled with a solem feeling of betrayal. The days were dark and filled with constant images of ash and buildings falling.
The years the followed had a drastic change in the nation. National security was at an all time high, TSA came to be, we went to war, and xenophobia was running rampant. There was this small Arab store near our home, it was vandalized, the windows broken, and spray paint making horrible words. Acts like those were seen throughout the country.
We had to constantly see the images on tv for weeks and months. They played George Bush’s reaction when he was told we were under attack. It was parodied for years to come.
As a millennial, we have lived through so many tragedies or big parts of history. But one of the most tragic and that is engraved in my mind is 9/11. As a middle schooler in the early 2000s I had no clue of the disagreements around the world or how other countries perceive the United States. That day was the starting point of the war in Afganistan. There are many who speculate what really happened that day and who was really responsible for the attacks. I just know that many people lost their lives and loved ones and that the US was scarred after those attacks.
There is always a question that has been asked after that day. “Where were you during 9/11?” I was in 7th grade reading class about to read one of my favorite books.
9/11 will always be an event that is remembered for years to come, not only by Americans but by a lot of others in the world. Those images of burning buildings, ash, people falling, and buildings collapsing will stay burned in our minds.
About the Creator
Elsa
Teacher, traveler, fur baby mom, reader, and writer. I enjoy writing historical fiction stories, fiction, poetry, true crime, and nonfiction.
First Flight of 2026 Under UK ‘One In, One Out’ Asylum Scheme Cancelled
The cancellation of the first scheduled flight of 2026 under the United Kingdom’s controversial “one in, one out” asylum scheme has reignited debate over the future of the country’s immigration policy. Planned as a symbolic restart of removals at the beginning of the new year, the flight was intended to demonstrate the government’s continued commitment to managing asylum arrivals through strict controls. Instead, its abrupt cancellation has raised fresh questions about feasibility, legality, and the human consequences of the policy. What Is the ‘One In, One Out’ Scheme? The “one in, one out” scheme is designed to limit the number of asylum seekers remaining in the UK by pairing each new arrival with the removal of another individual. In theory, the policy aims to ease pressure on accommodation systems, reduce backlogs, and deter irregular migration. Supporters argue it brings order to a strained asylum system, while critics contend it treats people as statistics rather than individuals with legal and humanitarian rights. Since its introduction, the scheme has faced logistical challenges and legal scrutiny. Flights arranged to remove asylum seekers often involve complex coordination between government departments, receiving countries, courts, and private contractors. Any disruption along this chain can derail operations, as appears to have happened with the first planned flight of 2026. Why Was the Flight Cancelled? While officials have not released full details, reports suggest the cancellation was caused by a combination of legal challenges and operational difficulties. Last-minute injunctions, incomplete documentation, and concerns over the destination country’s preparedness are all common reasons flights are delayed or grounded. Human rights lawyers have long argued that many individuals scheduled for removal have ongoing asylum claims or unresolved appeals. If even one case is found to breach domestic or international law, entire flights can be postponed. In this case, it appears multiple cases required further review, making it impossible for authorities to proceed as planned. Political Ramifications The cancellation is an embarrassment for the government, particularly as it was positioned as a strong signal of policy continuity in 2026. Immigration remains a politically sensitive issue in the UK, with public opinion sharply divided between calls for tougher enforcement and demands for more humane treatment of asylum seekers. Opposition parties were quick to criticize the cancellation, describing it as evidence that the policy is “unworkable and legally fragile.” They argue that repeated disruptions show the government is prioritizing headlines over sustainable solutions. Meanwhile, ministers have defended the scheme, insisting that delays do not mean abandonment and that further flights will be rescheduled. The Human Impact Beyond politics, the cancellation has real consequences for the individuals involved. Asylum seekers scheduled for removal often endure weeks of uncertainty leading up to a flight. Sudden cancellations can prolong detention or temporary accommodation stays, adding to stress and anxiety. Many asylum seekers have fled conflict, persecution, or economic collapse, and prolonged uncertainty can worsen mental health conditions. Advocacy groups argue that the stop-start nature of removal flights illustrates a system that fails to provide clarity or dignity to those caught within it. Legal and Ethical Concerns The “one in, one out” approach continues to draw criticism from legal experts who question its compatibility with international refugee law. The UK is bound by conventions requiring that asylum claims be assessed individually and fairly. Critics argue that numerical balancing risks undermining this principle, especially if removals are rushed to meet political targets. The cancellation of the first 2026 flight highlights the power of the legal system in acting as a safeguard. Courts play a crucial role in ensuring that removals do not violate human rights, even if this complicates government plans. What Happens Next? Government officials have indicated that the cancelled flight will be reorganized later in the year. However, each delay increases skepticism about whether the scheme can function smoothly. If cancellations continue, pressure may mount for a broader rethink of asylum policy. Some experts argue that long-term solutions lie not in removals but in speeding up asylum decisions, expanding legal migration routes, and working more closely with international partners. Others maintain that deterrence remains essential, even if implementation is difficult. A Policy at a Crossroads The grounding of the first flight of 2026 under the “one in, one out” scheme may seem like a single operational setback, but it reflects deeper structural issues. It exposes the tension between political promises and legal realities, between border control and humanitarian obligations. As the UK moves further into 2026, the fate of the scheme will likely shape broader debates about immigration, human rights, and national identity. For now, the cancelled flight stands as a reminder that managing asylum is not just a logistical challenge, but a moral and legal one—where every decision affects real lives, not just policy statistics.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 5 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (1)
I remember the day. Very well written. Good work