09/11/2026
Today, we honor the lives lost on September 11th and the millions whose realities were forever altered. We must also remember the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, healthcare workers, military members, volunteers, and countless others who sacrificed their own safety for ours. They ran toward danger, searched for our loved ones, cared for the injured, and worked tirelessly to bring a grieving nation back to its feet. They showed us what courage, sacrifice, and community look like.
But while we rebuilt our buildings, our cities, and our routines, I sometimes wonder if our mentality as a nation ever truly came back. The racism and xenophobia that followed 9/11 impacted my life deeply. The East Coast became a difficult and, at times, unsafe place for someone who looked like me, ultimately becoming a reason my family had their first big move.
I also hold close the memory of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh man who wore a turban just like my dad. He was the first person killed in a documented post-9/11 hate crime, murdered while simply planting his garden.
Twenty-five years later, I still experience echoes of that hatred. On this campaign trail, I have had people question my immigration, my parents, my community, whether I belong here, and whether I am educated enough to lead. That is why remembrance cannot only be about what happened that morning. It must also be about what happened afterward and what we choose to do differently.
May we remember those we lost, honor everyone who sacrificed for our safety, and find our way back to the humanity and sense of community that carried us through. May they all rest in peace.
