"As for September 11, let us not too easily grant the Americans possession of that date on the calendar. Like May 1 or July 14 or December 25, September 11 may seem full of significance to some people, while to other people it is just another day"

This quote by J. M. Coetzee is a reminder that not every person has the same perspective on certain days. September 11 is a day that has become identified with misfortune in the United States, but Coetzee is recommending that it ought to not be seen as a distinctly American event. He is suggesting that days, such as May 1, July 14, as well as December 25, are also considerable to some people, while to others they are just another day. Coetzee is highlighting that we need to not be as well quick to appoint a solitary meaning to a date, as it can indicate various points to different people. He is also recommending that we need to bear in mind the fact that not every person has the same point of view on particular days, and that we need to be respectful of those that might not view September 11 in the same way as numerous Americans do.