Flashbulb Memory

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On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001: time stood still for citizens throughout America. Individuals who are old enough, generally have a flashbulb (vivid) memory of 9/11, consisting of where they were, who they were with, and what they were doing at that precise moment. In the song, Where Were You When The World Stop Turning by Alan Jackson, Jackson is singing regretfully about that flashbulb memory. Through the entirety of the song, Jackson’s voice sounds defeated and shocked but hopeful and blessed. Unity and love is the meaning behind Jackson’s song. When I hear this song, I experience it as a sad reality and a humbling message. Hearing this song, it makes me recall that vivid memory of my current situation when 9/11 happened and the following …show more content…

In society today, school shootings have sadly became a relevant harsh reality. Many of these shootings are becoming more dreadful flashbulb memories for us today. Hearing this song, it makes me think of these school shootings that are happening more and more often in today’s society. The verse that correlates to the shootings in Jackson’s song would be: “Teachin’ a class full of innocent children, Or drivin’ down some cold interstate? Did you feel guilty ‘cause you're a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her? Did you dust off that Bible at home?” The first line of the verse says it all, innocent children. Whenever I hear this verse, I just think of these devastating shootings. Jackson’s verse is meaningful because he is asking what you did because of frequent horrific events happening today. Jackson’s verse makes me think, why call up my mom to tell her I love her because a tragedy occured? Why not just tell I love her everyday? Instead of waiting for a reason to pick up my Bible at home, why don't I just pick up the bible just for living? Jackson’s verse just emphasized uniting together and just loving without reason or causation to let your loved ones know you love

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