Instead of writing what I want, everyday.
Katherine Conlon
Mr. Eaton
Eng 121
21 September 2005
Building over Ground Zero
What side of the line do you see yourself standing on? If you stand for rebuilding on Ground Zero, does that make you insensitive, or even unpatriotic? Is ground zero still a thorn in
’s heart? The question of insensitivity arises in Silverstein’s “Rebuilding at Ground Zero”. A salesman must to a degree portray a sense of sympathy with his potential customer. Silverstein is well aware of his target audience. He is after all, the president of Silverstein Properties, and knows his customers. Being a good salesman, he will win your money, and you will voluntarily hand it to him.
Silverstein opens his article with mention of Sept. 11. He appears agree that yes it was sad, yes it was tragic, but the figurative bowing of his head in memory of nine eleven is brief. The paragraph following the introduction runs right into Silverstein’s sales pitch, stating that; “…commercial and retail space must be replaced on the site.” (294) Given that yes we have lost jobs, that yes do need replacing, there is a hint of disregard for his brothers of . Instead of mentioning names of friends or family, mentioning his personal struggles with nine eleven, Silverstein shoots us numbers, figures and percentages for shock value. (294) Silverstein’s personal struggle with nine eleven then lies in his business. How can he make money while Ground Zero remains empty? Silverstein wrote this article in September of 2002. For him three years must hold the equivalent of three centuries. Approaching with such a manor of greed, and following so quickly to the date of nine eleven is like selling coffins in a hospital. Inappropriate and insensitive.
In Silverstein’s favor, the article will appeal to the audience, or customers who will view it. “Rebuild at Ground Zero” was published in the Wall Street Journal. The eyes that read the pages of the Wall Street Journal share the same eagerness to regain financial stability in New York and as a whole. They are lawyers, realtors, and doctors. They are not your cashier at the grocery store, the man who changes your oil, not your plumber. But, surely they felt the blow of nine eleven in their lives as well. They too had to relocate, and find new jobs. Eventually everyone must turn their attention to how to regain our financial stability. It is the intent that makes a world of difference. There is no need to convince or win over the people in for rehabilitation. You can tell that in 2020 there is an, “…anticipated addition of 300,000 new jobs” and that, “The loss of the
Twin
Towers
only heightens the need.” (295) But why state the obvious? Silverstein maybe on his way to building an uprising between upper an lower class, instead of building his precious commercial and retail offices.
New York
is not a used car. New York is not set of Britannica encyclopedias, or
Hoover
vacuums. It is a home. It is our city of open arms, so you can not attack this financial problem with a sales pitch we will not catch. Silverstein is blind to the importance of being a good brother, and standing shoulder to shoulder with his American brethren. We do not need a salesman.
Post Script: I did this because it was due today in about an hour. I woke up late and missed mi clase de español. I don’t write in my journal anymore. I’m just too busy. It makes me angry that I must be reponsible. It makes me angry that I am not responsible. It makes me angry that sometimes I slip. It makes me angry because God told me I need to do better. I know.
Ps-I’ll see you soon Juan.