Posted on 09/18/2001 1:15:18 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Just received the following plea via email:
Friends,Amid all the horror that the events of September 11 brought to our nation are news reports of attacks and threats against Arab Americans around the country. In Arizona, a Sikh Indian man (a Hindu, not a Moslem) was just murdered, most likely by someone who confused a darker skinned man in traditional dress with someone of Arab descent. The attack was only the worst example of an unfortunate vigilantism that seems to be popping up in a number of places. It is an ugly way to honor the memory of the people of many races, creeds and religions who died last Tuesday.
It is not only un-American to discriminate because of race, religion or national origin; those who do so risk creating divisions within the United States where none need exist, and cause the world to shake its head in wonder at how quickly the terrorists have succeeded in changing our country into something it wasn't before their hideous deeds.
For those whose hearts are now hardening out of an understandable feeling of fear and vulnerability, one should remember that the language skills and overseas contacts of Arab Americans will likely prove to be invaluable in defeating the terrorists. There is a historical precedent--after World War II, the mobilization of the Italian-American community here in defense of freedom was crucial in avoiding a communist takeover of Italy in the post-war period.
In the past few days our national political leadership has rightly pointed to the many contributions made by Arab Americans to our way of life, as professionals, taxpayers, friends and neighbors. In the days and weeks ahead, we should all be vocal in our condemnation of the voices of hate and unreason. If you know someone of Arab descent, now is the time to be a friend in deed; if you know of an Arab-American owned business in your area, you may want to patronize it now with even greater frequency, as a sign to those who would want us to live in terror--and those who would "defend" us through hate--that their tactics didn't work.
Please send this message to as many people as you can.
God Bless America!
Mick Andersen
Churchton, Maryland
Thanks,
Jim Robinson
We have always been at war with Eurasia.
Try checking a newspaper or the TV. It's been all over the place.
We all need to be somewhat careful. Not just of unwarranted attacks against innocent Muslims, but also careful of attacks agsinst us.
My daughter is studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Several of her female classmates were subjected to harrassment by an Italian, who then threatened them with a broken bottle, screaming anti-American slogans.
There is a lot of hatred out there, and the events of last Tuesday have seen them break out into the open.
It's unfortunate that good Americans of ME descent are looking over their shoulders and hesitate to go out in public in many places across this country.
We adopted a student through the university. She is a Muslim from Turkey. I guess I'm the enemy now.
Well said.
What I am turning over in my mind, is: Should we deport Afghans in our country who are not citizens, as a precaution? It sounds like a horribly harsh idea, and I don't claim to know whether it is a good idea or not. But for safety's sake, it has occurred to me. We are in terrible times when good people contemplate such ideas for legitimate safety reasons. It is tearing me up to think it might come to this.
I'm not usually "gung-ho" on deporting even illegal aliens, as long as they are working and behaving like we'd like citizens to (the Bush philosophy). But there are terrorist "cell" groups everywhere, disconnected from their main body and ready to wreak havoc. How can lessen that risk?
There are solutions and tactics we could use that might seem ugly. To protect ourselves, we must humanely find ways that isolate the people who pose the most obvious risks, and "defuse" any future efforts. It can't be a racial, religious, or bigoted thing. It can't be irrational or out of hate or ignorance. I don't hate Afghanis, or Muslims, or even Bin Laden himself. I just want a real threat removed -- a threat to the entire world.
But I do think a lot of people should be carefully identified and watched right now -- and the possibility of deporting people should be seriously weighed. Very sad, and not spoken with even a bit of joy.
Still in Manhattan and being less,
No decent person of any political or religious stripe can support harming, killing, or intimidating the innocent along with the guilty.
We need to set the example of why America is a "shining city on a hill," and a beacon to people looking for a better way of living.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.