The Bittersweet Smell of Success

May 1st, 2011 will go down in world history, and certainly in American history, as one of the great nights in the nation's storied past. Everyone has their story about where they were when they heard the news of the first and second planes crashing into the Twin Towers. I was in my apartment with my roommate during our sophomore year at USC. It was before 6AM and we were woken up by her boyfriend saying, "Turn on the television. They are crashing planes into the World Trade Center." The first thought running through my mind was, "Who is they?"

After quickly learning about Osama Bin Laden and his henchman, I, like many other Americans, were confident (without warrant or a full scope of the imminent war ahead) that we were the most powerful nation in the world and we would most certainly condemn, find, and capture this mass murderer in a swift and unprecedented manner. At that point, I never thought that nearly a decade would pass before such a victory would come to our nation. In fact, to think that at the time would have been more than pessimistic. It would have been un-American.

This brings me to my point. The unity and pride in this country that permeated through every part of the United States in the days and weeks after September 11th, 2001, was, for me, the first time I experienced that kind of unanimity in a country not only known for its differing opinions, but a country that was entirely founded on the idea that those conflicting beliefs could be what makes us stronger.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the first time I have felt that bipartisan accord since 2001. Of course, like every other youthful Democrat in 2008, I experienced the sentiments of positivity and hope in the Fall of that year and especially on election night. While that was a historic day and I felt proud to be part of team for change, that was just it. I was part of a team of Democrats. Everyone across this country was not cheering for the same thing I was.

But for me, what is different about tonight is that I feel pride in the country as a WHOLE. This is something we can and should all be relieved about. Undoubtedly, there will be a criticism and some Republican critique of the President's chess move, but for now, at least in these first few hours following the announcement, I am going to enjoy a return to my sincere appreciation for the United States, an emotion I have missed for the last decade. I couldn't be prouder of the fact that I am a citizen under the protection of this Commander in Chief.

I don't know that I have anything more poetic to say about the death of Osama Bin Laden and deep, deep down, what I'm really remembering is the images of people plunging to their deaths because they chose that fall instead of burning to death on the upper floors of the North and South Towers. Sure, is it elementary to wholeheartedly be pleased with revenge? Maybe. Is it juvenile to rejoice with my fellow citizens currently chanting outside the White House? Maybe so. But it's not. That's the thing. This is the most important evening in the 21st century history of the United States. Just as important, tonight is more than a national reminder. It's a global reminder for mankind that the statute of limitations on the mass murder of human beings is NEVER.

I talk about death early and often, but I don't always look happy when doing it. Of course, I have spent the last few hours thinking about the loss and the bittersweetness of what this evening means to the people who lost friends and family in 2001. These hours are a concoction of pride overshadowed with a somber reminder of why it is that I'm feeling that pride.

And all I can do is 'smile' though my heart is aching, 'smile' though my heart is breaking.