My country has been attacked. My freedom has been compromised. I fear what the next day brings. But never before have I been so proud to be an American.

My generation has no concept of what war really is. Here we are faced with one of the greatest tragedies America has ever known. I feel guilty going about my daily affairs because there are more than 5,000 people buried under the rubble of one of New York’s treasures and others in Washington. Nothing this terrible has struck my country in my lifetime or so close to my home.

For the first time in my life, I am proud to be an American. I want to share the suffering of my people. I want to bring justice to my nation. I am angry, scared and crying all at the same time. I am outraged that we were too naive to believe this could happen to us. I am furious that our country’s children lost their fathers and mothers. I cry out in anguish as America turns to its own people in suspicion simply because of the color of their skin or their faith. Those who do this prove they are no better than those who attacked us.

I plead with my fellow Americans to halt their prejudice and racism. I hope that in this time of great tragedy and destruction, people of all races can come together and unite.

-Nidhi Khurana
senior