Tatiana Lopukhina

“I remember the incredible sense of unity--Russians calling me to offer their condolences. There was nothing but an outpouring of support.

Because the trade center stood up as long as it did and allowed so many people to get out, I just felt obliged to write a letter to the company that built it, just thanking them for building such a strong building.

There’s a sadness that America doesn’t always understand its impact on other cultures or countries. I don’t think that Americans realize how dominating our culture can be around the world. I think that a lot of people in the world have a sense of powerlessness, and joining terrorist groups or gangs in the U.S. gives a sense of belonging and control or power over the big guys, over what you perceive as the enemy.”

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As told to Robyn Dixon