Life of the Closed Mind

Page 67.  The general argument made by Anna Quindlen in her work Life of the Closed Mind is that 9/11 has caused a shadow over the American Dream of being accepted of others and being accepting to those around us.  More specifically, Quindlen argues that no one is open to other people or other’s ideas anymore.  She writes, “America has become a country that set its young people the terrible example of closed minds” (p. 67).  In this passage, Quindlen is suggesting that since 9/11 happened, the “terrorists have won” because America as a nation has become more like them in the sense that we only believe there is either right or wrong, black or white, good or bad.  In conclusion, it is Quindlen’s belief that America needs to be more open minded when it comes to others, other’s opinions as well as their beliefs.

            In my view, Quindlen is right because America really has become so fanatical about everything.  For example, people used to be able to say their own beliefs to others without getting harassed or judged.  Now however, if your view is not the same as the person you are talking to, they tell you how many different ways you are wrong and why their idea is so much better than yours, rather than just having a civil conversation about it.  Although Quindlen might object that 9/11 is not the only thing that caused this to happen, I maintain that there are multiple reasons other than just 9/11, such as the bad economy, our state of war, and many other societal problems.  Therefore, I conclude that America needs to be aware of how close-minded we are being and we need to readjust this so people will be able to speak their minds freely again and be open to others and their ideas.