The infamous photo of firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero almost failed to make the cut at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Michael Shulan, the creative director, deemed the image “too patriotic.” According to a new book, “Battle for Ground Zero” by Elizabeth Greenspan, due for release next month, the director called the photo too “rah-hah America.”
In addition, he said: “I really believe that the way America will look best, the way we can really do best, is to not be Americans so vigilantly and so vehemently.” The Thomas Franklin photo was ultimately included in the memorial museum. Mr. Shulan told The Post that his goal was to “not reduce [the day] to something that was too simple, and in its simplicity would actually distort the complexity of the event, the meaning of the event.”
Sorry Mr. Shulan but as a creative director you aren’t very creative. You also don’t understand the significance of the photo.
The photo isn’t one that gloats about our nation.
It isn’t one that states our country is better than others.
The reason this photo is significant, the reason this photo should be included in this museum is that it is indicative of the fact that no matter what calamity we face this nation we always stand for our freedom. We will never cower to terrorists. It is a symbol that even in our darkest hours this nation unites as one. The photo is indicative of the patriotism that swept the country for years to come, in the aftermath of the event. To ignore history would be too simplistic and a distortion of events.
If you don’t understand this, then you really shouldn’t have been chosen to create the vision for the museum. But then again, what do I know? After all, I’m not a “creative director.”
What do you think?
Is the photo too patriotic?
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Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate
