For Quindlen why does the idea of a crazy quilt capture a tension at the heart of American culture?

"Quilt of a Country" is a commentary written by Pulitzer-prize winning author Anna Quindlen following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Th metaphor of a quilt is used in this text to symbolize America's diversity. There is a tension in America, which is that, despite citizens being from such different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, they can come together to build a great nation. The argument is that this resembles a "crazy quilt," which in theory should be mismatched because of the differences between its sections, but in practice comes together beautifully.