Post-9/11

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"Post-9/11" is a term used to describe the current state of living in the United States or other parts of the world after the September 11, 2001 attacks, in reference to the many changes that have occurred due to the attacks.

uspicion

Many activities which prior to 9/11 would be viewed innocently, or as just eccentric, are now viewed with suspicion. Six Muslim imams were removed from U.S. airliner when they prayed before the flight and showed "suspicious behavior". [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17874497/ Muslims pulled from flight may sue passengers - News - MSNBC.com ] ] Various government agencies and police forces have asked people to report "unusual" behavior. The United States Department of Homeland Security has advised citizens to "be vigilant, take notice of your surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately." [ [http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/reportincidents/ DHS | Report Incidents ] ]

This suspicion relates to "discriminatory backlash", in which members of certain groups are viewed with greater suspicion, as well as photography – both amateur and professional photographers find they are questioned and even detained for their actions.Fact|date=March 2008

Discriminatory backlash

Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South-Asian Americans – as well as those perceived to be members of these groups – have been the victims of increased numbers of bias-related assaults, threats, vandalism and arson in the United States. [ [http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/legalinfo/nordwg_mission.html Civil Rights Division National Origin Working Group Initiative to Combat Post-Terrorism Discrimination ] ]

Department of Homeland Security

The United States government created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. DHS is a Cabinet-level department of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting the territory of the United States from terrorist attacks and responding to natural disasters.

With approximately 184,000 employees, DHS is the third-largest Cabinet department in the U.S. federal government, after the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council; Frances Townsend is the current Homeland Security Advisor. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Energy. [United States Department of Homeland Security]

Photography

Post-9/11, people photographing both public and private places have run into problems with law enforcement, because they are sometimes viewed as suspicious. In 2004, the New York City Subway attempted to institute a photo ban. This was met with fierce opposition, and the plan was ultimately scrapped.

Politics

The attacks lead to significant and widespread changes in U.S. politics and foreign policy. Domestically, both parties rallied around President George W. Bush after the attacks, passing the PATRIOT Act and supporting the War in Afghanistan. Support for the administrations actions and policies was seen as one's patriotic duty, which led the U.S. to war with Iraq:Fact|date=June 2008

Censorship

Films and television programs produced before 2001 that feature the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center or events similar to 9/11 have been banned or edited in re-airings on television. One such example is an episode of "The Simpsons", "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson," the main setting of which is the World Trade Center. [cite video|people=Oakley, Bill|year=2006|title=The Simpsons season 9 DVD commentary for the episode "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox] [cite video|people=Weinstein, Josh|year=2006|title=The Simpsons season 9 DVD commentary for the episode "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson"|medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox]

After 9/11, Clear Channel Communications (an owner of over 1,000 radio stations in the U.S.) released a list of songs deemed "inappropriate". The songs were not banned outright, but stations were advised not to play them. [http://www.snopes.com/rumors/radio.htm Urban Legends Reference Pages: Radio, Radio. Published September 18, 2001. Accessed February 10, 2008.]

References