Plea for tolerance

Email | 09/18/01 | Mick Andersen

[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

I think this is good advice. I'm asking for the rhetoric on Free Republic to be toned down. We were attacked by a vicious terrorist group. These terrorists are being supported by a relatively small segment of the Muslim community. Please do not condemn all members of a race or religion for the barbaric acts of a few. We are at war against the terrorist groups and the rogue government regimes that harbor them. With few exceptions, the rest of the world is allied with us against these groups, but we are not at war with an entire people or race or religion. We must rid the world of the scourge of terrorism, while continuing to respect and defend the rights and lives of the innocent.

Thanks,

Jim Robinson

[OWK]

A resounding THANK YOU!

[dirtboy]

Thanks, JimRob. We are going to need the help of the mainstream Muslim community in this country to ferret out the terrorists among them. And we are going to need the help of moderate Arab states to get the intel and infiltrators to get at terrorist groups. Bashing all Muslims is counterproductive to what this country needs to accomplish.

[Dog Gone]

BTTT

[Bekki4Bush]

AMEN! Cloaking bigotry in a veil of patriotism is infuriating. There is nothing patriotic about attacking and harassing fellow American citizens.

[TexasChip]

Thank you, Jim, for posting this.

[ctdonath2]

I've been trying to tell people that for days - and have been frequently shot down as a [insert lots of offensive descriptors here]. Thanks for making the correct moral position official.

[MHGinTN]

Selah, Jim Rob!

The fastest way to forfeit our liberties in a time of great crisis is to disregard the rights and liberties of our fellow Americans, based on some arbitrary characterization. The rows of crosses in Arlington represent Americans who died to protect the liberties of fellow Americans, regardless of race, creed or origin.

Respectfully, Marvin Galloway aka MHGinTN

[Storm Orphan]

Thanks, captain.

[Ratatoskr]

Definitely. Attacking a Hindu for the crimes of Islam is tragically wrong.

[Egregious Philbin]

Thank you sir.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for posting this.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

ping

[68 grunt]

Complying. Thank you.

[RnMomof7]

As my hero once said "trust but verify"

[HAL9000]

I'm asking for the rhetoric on Free Republic to be toned down.

Thank you. This is no time for tasteless jokes and juvenile humor. This is a war against terrorists, not against a race or religion. People who irresponsibly call for bombing Mecca, "pork bombs", etc. are hurting the war effort, and increase the danger to our servicemen who are undertaking a very risky mission.

[Captain Morgan]

Indeed. If we terrorize those who look like terrorists, then we have learned nothing.

[AppyPappy]

I can never remember who I am supposed to hate.

[Artist]

BUMP.