9/11 Changed Everything: 8 Lasting Impacts on Our Lives

photo of new york skyline featuring the twin towers
Photo by Thomas Svensson

The tragic events of September 11, 2001, left a permanent mark on the U.S. and the world. While it’s been over 20 years since that day, the impact it had can be felt to this day. There’s a before and an after 9/11. Whether we were closely affected by it or not, all of our lives were changed by it. Many of the changes have become so normalized we often forget their origins. From travel security to political decisions and even the way we communicate, here are 10 lasting impacts of 9/11 on our daily lives:


Increased Airport Security

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Before 9/11, airport security was significantly more relaxed. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created in response to the attacks, and now, procedures like removing shoes, restricting liquids, and full-body scans are routine. While these steps have become a regular part of the travel experience, they were a direct response to 9/11 and an effort to prevent future terrorism.

The Rise of Surveillance

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After 9/11, surveillance of both foreign and domestic communications rose to new heights. The Patriot Act, passed shortly after the attacks, gave government agencies broader powers to monitor phone calls, emails, and internet activity. This is why we joke about the “FBI agent” looking over our shoulders when we use the internet. The overall awareness of privacy concerns in today’s digital age, especially when it comes to social media and apps, is a consequence of that rise.

Stricter Immigration Policies

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Immigration also changed tremendously. After 9/11, the U.S. government introduced stricter visa requirements and enhanced background checks. The attacks reshaped how countries across the globe approach immigration, with a greater focus on national security. For many travelers and immigrants, the visa process has become an uphill battle and background scrutiny is the standard for certain countries and professions.

Increased Awareness of Islamophobia

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One of the most unfortunate impacts of 9/11 has been the rise of Islamophobia, which continues to influence conversations about race, religion, and terrorism today. For many, the attacks led to a greater fear of Muslims and Middle Eastern people, which resulted in racial profiling, discrimination, and negative representation in the media. We’ve all seen more than one action movie where the villain is a stereotypical Muslim screaming “allahu akbar” as a threat. This is your reminder that a terrorist group is responsible for 9/11, not the entire Muslim and Middle Eastern people. Also, “allahu akbar” (“God is great”) is an expression of faith first and foremost.

The Global War on Terror

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9/11 also led to the start of the War on Terror, which included the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. These military engagements shaped the political landscape for years, affecting not only U.S. foreign policy but also global politics. The consequences of these wars are still felt today, with veterans and impacted regions still dealing with the long-term effects.

Changes to Urban Architecture and Emergency Response

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The collapse of the Twin Towers brought a lot of attention to vulnerabilities in building designs and emergency response systems. That gave way to new regulations to improve the safety and evacuation procedures of skyscrapers and public buildings. Modern urban architecture now considers potential terrorist attacks in its planning (how could it not?), with reinforced structures and security measures.

Stricter Security in Public Spaces

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Beyond airports, 9/11 changed how security is approached in public spaces like concerts, stadiums, and government buildings. Metal detectors, bag checks, and even facial recognition technology are now commonly used to prevent attacks. This heightened security is one of the things we’ve become very accustomed to, but it’s a direct response to the vulnerability that the 9/11 attacks exposed.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

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Perhaps the most profound impact of 9/11 is the resilience it inspired. The unity, compassion, and determination that followed the attacks changed how communities respond to tragedy. The phrase "Never Forget" is more than a call to remember the day—it’s a reminder of the strength that people can find in extremely difficult times.

While 9/11 may seem like a distant memory to some, especially those who weren’t in the thick of it or weren’t changed by personal loss, its effects are all around us. From the way we travel to how we view security, politics, and even each other, the legacy of that day lives on in ways we often don’t realize. By understanding these impacts, we can better appreciate how the world has changed and why it’s important to remember those lessons as we move forward.

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).