American capitalism Quote by Edward Said
![“Speaking as a New Yorker, I found it a shocking and terrifying event [9/11], particularly the scale of it. At bottom, it was an implacable desire to do harm to innocent people. It was aimed at symbols: the World Trade Center, the heart of American capitalism, and the Pentagon, the headquarters of…” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b5/edward-said-6412_american-capitalism_speaking-as-a-new-yorker-i-found-it-a-sh_550498.jpg)
“Speaking as a New Yorker, I found it a shocking and terrifying event [9/11], particularly the scale of it. At bottom, it was an implacable desire to do harm to innocent people. It was aimed at symbols: the World Trade Center, the heart of American capitalism, and the Pentagon, the headquarters of the American military establishment.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on 9/11, 2002
The attack was a deliberate act of terror targeting symbols of American power and innocence, driven by hatred.
In simple terms: Terror attacked symbols of power.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist hatred.
Themes
terrorism
violence
symbolism
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- national mourning
- policy debate
- media coverage
- security reforms
Key Concepts
political violence
psychology of hate
Questions to Reflect On
- What symbols do societies protect?
- How can we prevent dehumanization?
A Different Perspective
The quote may oversimplify complex geopolitical motives.
![“It [9/11 event] was aimed at symbols: the World Trade Center, the heart of American capitalism, and the Pentagon, the headquarters of the American military establishment. But it was not meant to be argued with. It wasn't part of any negotiation. No message was intended with it. It spoke for…” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/725/edward-said-6412_american-capitalism_it-9-11-event-was-aimed-at-symbols-the-w_2931286.jpg)
![“Speaking as a New Yorker, I found [September 11] a shocking and terrifying event, particularly the scale of it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/320/edward-said-6412_events_speaking-as-a-new-yorker-i-found-septemb_2917817.jpg)
![“Speaking as a New Yorker, I found it (9/11 event] a shocking and terrifying event, particularly the scale of it. At bottom, it was an implacable desire to do harm to innocent people.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bb6/edward-said-6412_bottom_speaking-as-a-new-yorker-i-found-it-9-11_1795010.jpg)
![“[9/11] was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6e/edward-said-6412_bloody_9-11-was-bloody-minded-destruction-for-n_64269.jpg)
![“[One task of intellectuals is] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b94/edward-said-6412_break_one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-do_140792.jpg)
![“The just response to this terrible event [9/11] should be to go immediately to the world community, the United Nations. The rule of international law should be marshaled, but it's probably too late because the United States has never done that; it's always gone it alone.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/15f/edward-said-6412_community_the-just-response-to-this-terrible-event_189801.jpg)
