BRAZILIAN PLANE CRASH IN A POST-9/11 WORLD

By: Shahida Arabi, Stacy-Ann Ellis, Keisha Ramos, Deidre Thompson

A recent plane crash in Brazil has ignited controversy over
whether other aviation disasters will spark fear in New Yorkers in
their post-9/11 world. Last night an Airbus 320 crashed into an office
building and gas station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, resulting in a
conflagration reminiscent of the September 11 terrorist attacks. There is a definite similarity between September 11 and the Brazilian plane crash: both involved plane collisions and subsequent conflagration. Yet, would the scene of rubble and civilian casualties renew tensions for New Yorkers?
This event could trigger memories for those struggling with
post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attacks of September
11, 2001, said Tanjida Afroz, a psychology major and recent graduate of
Hunter College. Post-traumatic stress disorder can involve flashbacks,
emotional repression, and social isolation. It often occurs after a
traumatic event such as 9/11, according to Medline Plus Medical
Encyclopedia.
However, psychologists from Lehman College feel that the
recent incident in Brazil would not have such a strong impact on New
Yorkers. “September 11 was a planned and deliberate attack,” said
psychology professor Martha Lequerica, and this was just an accident.”
John McDonald, an associate professor, refused to comment on the
controversial issue, asserting that his outlook may be considered too
"radical."
Lequerica said that New Yorkers would more likely be upset
by mishaps at local airports than by an "accident" occurring
approximately 4,000 miles away.
Still, New Yorkers have become what assistant professor of
psychology Anne Reid calls, “resilient when it comes to flying.”
Events like the September 11 terrorist attack have caused some Americans to be alarmed but have not shaken the majority of the country, she said. She said that events like these affect people differently, and those that do not fly frequently are not as susceptible to fear.
“The further away, the less direct [the] impact,” as
Reid said.