Unspeakable September 11th: Taken-for-granted assumptions, selective reality construction and populist politics

Abstract

The interplay of private and public reactions to the crisis of September 11th in New York is analyzed as an example of well-functioning populist politics. Using material from observations, interviews and a content analysis of The New York Times obituaries, the sequence of reactions to the catastrophe of September 11th 2001 in New York City is described. The wish for nearness and reassurance was followed by a wish 'to do something'. The latter, by necessity frustrated for most, was turned into identification with the new heroes who could 'do something': fire-fighters, steelworkers, and the politicians who presented themselves as organizers of their efforts. Analysis then concentrates on how these 'private wishes' were used for 'public politics' of a populist kind. Cultural norms and assumptions about family, community and masculinity were utilized for the mobilization of political attitudes of patriarchal protection, patriotism and retaliation. Social differences of victimization were denied (where in fact it can be shown that the financial upper class paid the highest toll) with the effect of creating the perfect 'populist moment' out of the situation on the basis of actual needs and sentiments.