Last week my professor posed the question, “If you could ensure safety from a terrorist attack by having every part of your life filmed and reviewed by the NSA, would you”? My initial reaction was absolutely not. Not that I’m doing anything wrong, but why would I want someone looking at my every move? Then he said something that struck deep inside. Of course we all want privacy. And what are the actual odds of a terrorist attack happening? But put yourself on the planes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. If you were asked this question right before the planes flew into the side of the towers, how would your answer vary?

It has been 15 years since the most tragic terrorist attack in American history. It’s easy to get lost after many years about the significance of 9/11. If I’m being honest, I did not even realize what day it was until I saw an instagram post remembering the loss of innocent lives. But my professor put things into perspective for me. I feel disgusted by the men that hijacked the planes, and I feel sadness for the loved ones and heroic civilians that helped. But I don’t often think what it would have been like sitting in an airplane seat seconds before crashing into the side of the building. It’s a harsh imagination, but what would you give to ensure your safety?

My point in all this is that as Americans, we take for granted the safety of our country. We gripe at the long security line at the airport. And in these times we don’t think about the people that lost their lives, and those that will suffer because of lost loved ones. Sure, it’s maddening that evil people make us question our security but it’s also maddening when we take our security for granted. Most of us don’t live with a constant phobia of terrorism, but putting yourself in the shoes of someone affected by heartless attacks puts life into perspective. Would I give my whole life over to be filmed and watched by the NSA? I’m not sure. But these questions that surface during a time of remembrance of 9/11 makes me thankful for the safety I have had in my life thus far.