When people think about homeland security, the first thought that comes to mind probably involves those little 3.5 ounce travel bottles and a zip lock bag that can tarnish even the most pleasant of airport experiences. For others it might be taking off your shoes, your belt, or showing your driver’s license more often.
To an average American, homeland security has become commonplace, like Miley Cyrus, IPODs, or Kleenex. Americans don’t know what it means. Of course, politicians talk about it. No politician is likely to claim that he/she is making America less safe. Both candidates Barack Obama and John McCain emphasized how they would make America safer— but then they moved on, perhaps rightfully so, to more pressing issues, like the economy.
Sure, Americans have emergency kits, an extra supply of food, and batteries in case a disaster hits, but all so often Americans leave “homeland security” to the policymakers, first responders, and philosophers.
Should the public’s knowledge of homeland security be as simple as a checklist, an education campaign or a footnote in a textbook? For those of us who remember 9/11, we would easily say “no, September 11th is a day we will never forget.” We remember the horror, desperation and confusion we felt. And we will never forget the lives lost or the udder sense of insecurity we felt.
I met an intern recently that reminded me however, that unfortunately the images of September 11th will not always be in the minds of most Americans. This intern was 10 on September 11, 2001. She barely remembers that day, and it certainly did not affect her the way it did so many of us. Most importantly, she is now, for all practical purposes, an adult—ready to take on the world and likely to affect future public policy. In fact, there are children born every minute that will never know 9/11.
This seems depressing at first. I think those who remember World War II probably feel this sadness, that something that literally defined their generation could be lost to the history books and documentaries.
Finding a way to carry on the memory of September 11th is possible. The way to do this is to first recognize that while 9/11 started the public dialogue on homeland security, homeland security is not in itself September 11, 2001. Understanding this is fundamental to engaging future generations that don’t know 9-11. September 11th gave us the lessons needed to make the government better, to make it better able to stop acts of terrorism, and to respond if something did happen. America developed more extensive information sharing between law enforcement, better disaster response capabilities, and created a world class Department of Homeland Security. These lessons were the right ones. As a result, there hasn’t been an attack on U.S. soil, and over 23 have been foiled.
The second lesson, however, is that Americans must recognize that being prepared for disaster, manmade or otherwise, isn’t about buying out the camping section of Walmart. While it is important to be prepared, it is more about focusing on building more self-reliant communities and individuals. It is about understanding that the government may not always be there to help people, and that Americans may have to help each other (much like many brave folks did on 9/11 and during Hurricane Katrina). It’s about not relying on Washington for everything. It is about empowering local and state governments. It’s about expecting government to produce policies that don’t just keep us safe, but also keep us free and prosperous.
All Americans, from the youngest to the oldest can adopt this type of sustainable homeland security. And it doesn’t have to require an ounce of federal spending, a drop of politics, or a public option. In fact, Americans can start now. Help those who don’t remember 9/11, to understand the sacrifice that occurred that day. But also, start a culture of preparedness in your communities by looking after one another.
The right kind of security is the kind that comes with knowing that no matter what happens, Americans can and will carry on in the face of disaster.
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Jena Baker McNeill, J.D., is a Policy Analyst for Homeland Security in the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
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