Ashley Irving - Outside Reading #1

Outside Reading #1

by Ashley Irving

A sacred place evokes change. Change is defined as to make or become different. The sacred place has the power not only to change individuals and their lives, but to change a society and the culture of that society. In her article, "Exploring Everyday Altars", Christine Ballengee-Morris writes of the ways in which the people of New York and the city of New York as a whole experienced change as a result of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the sacred space that resulted from those attacks.

Ballengee-Morris writes that "what began as photographs and posters taped to walls requesting information about lost loved ones, lit candles began to appear; poetry was written and taped to walls; flowers were placed on the sidewalks in vases or loosely arranged; personal items of survivors or items of lost love ones were added; visitors offered their special items; and performances transformed the parks, streets, and objects into physical manifestations of emotions and created healing spaces". Her observations of these actions being taken by the citizens of New York demonstrate the effect that sacred places can have upon people.

As a New Yorker, I know that more often than not, in the city in particular, the stereotype that New Yorkers are self-centered, unsympathetic people is true. Its just the way of life in the Big Apple. Most individuals who live there are busy with their families and jobs and what their upcoming plans are. There are very few instances in which people who are native citizens of the city, not tourists, are paying closer attention to their surroundings other than to locate the nearest taxi or subway station. Everyone has their own agenda and are all doing their own thing. In the city, this translates to focus on your destination and don't worry about the happenings around you.

The fact that after the horrendous attacks occurred at the World Trade Center, people were able to pay closer attention to those around them and to care for their neighbors is miraculous. Not because New Yorkers are cruel people who only care for themselves and don't wish for the well-being of others, but because New Yorkers are more private individuals who keep to themselves and mind their own business, not getting involved in others' affairs. The sudden camaraderie found between citizens of New York City at the locations that were made sacred by the attacks, between those whose loved ones were involved and those simply trying to help demonstrates the ability of sacred places to change individuals. 

Unfortunately, I feel that without those terrible events that occurred on September 11, 2001, the citizens of New York would not have undergone the change that was witnessed by Christine Ballengee-Morris. While these changes may not be visible today and New Yorkers may appear to be just as self-centered and unsympathetic to others as they did prior to the attacks, the change that was witnessed after 9/11 serve as proof that they are capable of not being a callous society, all thanks to the sacred place and the power that it gave to those who entered it.