Never one to shy away from an argument, I’ve thrown down the proverbial fisticuffs more than once. It’s not that I enjoy confrontation; quite the contrary, actually. I aspire for a world where we appreciate one another’s differences and varying perspectives. I long for the day that we can engage in respectful dialogue about even the most “touchy” topics.
Breast vs. bottle, anyone?
Since that day ain’t even close to gettin’ here, I feel the need to be the voice for those who can’t use theirs. As such, I’ve been called a big mouth. A trouble-maker. A bitch.
Human rights issues are particularly near and dear to my heart because–spoiler alert!!–we’re all human.
I’ve engaged in many a debate regarding politics, race, ethnicity–you name it. I’m always in favor of the person. Most recently, I posted the following Facebook status after reading one too many updates that perpetuated racism and prejudice in response to the Boston bombing:
I’m so grateful that Boston caught this kid–and he is a KID–responsible for taking the lives of the innocent and injuring so many others. That said, I’m having a hard time with the fact that so many people are now hating on immigrants, Russians, anyone who is NOT American. Check your family trees, people–none of us started out here. Whatever happened to being united by the human experience? Fist pumps for Boston, thumbs down for some of you!
Unfortunately, not all of my “friends” agree with me. One of them went so far as to say that he hates all Muslims because the recent terrorist attacks on our country have been linked to Al Qaeda and the Muslim faith.
Truly, I’m not trying to “stir the pot,” but the English teacher in me can’t ignore such blatant ignorance. I feel the itch. There is a lesson coming. I hope you’ll stick around and pretend to be my students for a minute. You can even use your cellphones in class. Here goes:
1. Al Qaeda is a militant group that trains for and intends to kill.
2. Muslims are a religious people who peacefully abide by the teachings of the the prophet Muhammad. They, like Christians, are a monotheistic people, follow a holy book, and believe in the power of prayer.
3. Despite some Muslims living and practicing in the same geographic areas as Al Qaeda, not all Muslims belong to Al Qaeda.
So let’s pretend you’ve been living with your head up your ass for the last 10+ years and don’t know what Al Qaeda is or what a Muslim believes. I will gladly put this into perspective for you:
1. The Westboro Baptist Church is a group of Christians that uses the Bible to teach its members to judge and hate.
2. Christians are a religious people who peacefully abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ. They, like Muslims, are a monotheistic people, follow a holy book, and believe in the power of prayer.
3. Despite some Christians living and practicing in the same geographic areas as the Westboro Baptist Church, not all Christians belong to the Westboro Baptist Church.
Now, just for kicks, let’s pretend that you’re not a religious person, and you could not care any less about this Muslim and Christian “stuff.” Allow me:
1. The Ku Klux Klan is an (extreme) right-wing group of Caucasians, mostly men, who believe “white is right.” They have gone to great lengths to keep different races and ethnicities from infiltrating white America, so much so that they have actually been referred to as a “terrorist” group.
2. My husband is a white dude. He’s pretty conservative.
3. My husband is not a Ku Klux Klan member.
See how silly this is?
Except that it’s not silly; it’s dangerous. Blind hatred and misinformation are dangerous. Not allowing oneself to know the person instead of the adjectives that describe him/her is dangerous.
I’m willing to bet my Facebook friend has never had a conversation with a Muslim. I’m also willing to bet he hates Russians after the Boston bombing. And it wouldn’t surprise me if he thinks I should cover my mouth with my apron and get back into the kitchen.
These kinds of outdated ideas and perceptions are putting us decades behind other countries. But that’s a post for another today.
Today, I’m just making trouble with the help of my man, Atticus Finch:
If you just learn a single trick…you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. —Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird
If you’re up for a climbing inside someone’s skin in the non-Hannibal Lecter sort of way, please click HERE for an article written by fellow Families in the Looper, Melanie Tahiri. Melanie is a Muslim and shared her thoughts directly after the Boston bombing, before the suspects were identified.
This was a poignant and brilliant post. I couldn’t agree more and am glad there are writers who are able to so eloquently express this peeve of mine as well. Thank you for being so raw and on the mark.
I’m honored to have your comment on my blog, lady! Thanks so much for reading me!
Good lesson for today Stephanie.
You’re such a good student, Vernette 😉
Excellent post. Loved the comparison between the Westboro Baptist Church and Al Qaeda! The more we love, the harder it will be to get others to hate. I hope.
The more we love, the harder it will be to get others to hate. Yes, Lynette–YES!
Great post! I couldn’t agree with you more. Our priest and friend posted the following on Facebook, and I’ve tried to share it with as many people as possible. It says it all.
“The church of the Holy Sepulcher (site of death and resurrection of Jesus) is locked every night from inside and the key is handed through the door to a Muslim family who has held the key to the holiest Christian spot for centuries.
All Muslims aren’t radicals just like all Christians aren’t Zionists.
Be quick to love, not quick to judge.”
That’s absolute perfection–thank you for sharing it here, too!
Steph, this article struck a chord with me. Being born to immigrant parents, who are of Eastern European descent, I’ve often been on the receiving end of prejudice and harsh judgements. I was also ridiculed for having such a ‘foreign’ last name. Now, my ethnicity is easier to mask because I no longer go by my maiden name.
In any case, I want to thank you for shedding light on the dangers of blind hatred and ignorance. You are far braver than I could ever be.
Oh, Anka, I am so sorry that you’ve been on the receiving end of such stupidity and ignorance. You’re a beautiful person on the inside and out, and I hope we can raise our children in a better world by teaching them how to love one another.
You are like Mr Miyagi to me right now. So wise… I love how you did this. It makes sense to me. Maybe it will make sense to some of the judgemental people out there. Word.
Let’s hope so! Thanks for reading, Sarah!
BRILLIANT! Oh man Stephanie- I just love this. Thank you. Thank you for your wisdom, your intellect and insight- thank you for your strength and dignity for human rights. Thank you for sharing the resounding truths and proverbial UNTRUTHS. Thank you.
VERY kind words from a walking inspiration like yourself. Thank YOU, Chris!!
Can’t argue with the analogies presented here regarding Christians and the KKK. Hate the terrorists, not the entire religion or nation that the terrorist belongs to. However, unless I’m naive, the Westboro Church and the KKK haven’t committed any recent large scale terrorist attacks. But the radical Islamist groups have succeeded recently in hurting/killing mass quanitites of people in the name of Allah/Muhammed. I think that if the peaceful Muslims (which I agree exist) would organize and promote themselves better as a peaceful people and publically denounce the radical Islamic terrorists, then people like your facebook friend would think differently. OK – great post.
You may be right about the peaceful people needing to speak up, but I think the problem is that they HAVE. Unfortunately, blowing people to bits speaks louder than peaceful prayer. My Facebook friend wouldn’t “hear” anything Muslims said at this point anyway, and that’s the point. People like him aren’t listening, learning, or loving any more. They’re closed off.
P.S. The KKK has been called a terrorist group, and I bet if you asked a group of African Americans circa 1950s, they would argue with your statement about “large scale.”
Brilliant post Stephanie! You are not a big mouth or a trouble maker. You are intelligent and thoughtful. You speak the words that many of us feel but are not able to put into a knowledgeable sounding format. I read this, agreed with you, did not look at my cellphone and didn’t shoot any spitballs at you!
Thanks so much, Melissa. And, for what it’s worth, you’ve earned an A+ 🙂
You. Are. Brilliant. I love this. You did an amazing job separating the people from the crazy extremist groups – whether KKK, Al Queda, or Westboro. Plus, the lines “Check your family trees, people–none of us started out here. Whatever happened to being united by the human experience?” pretty much says what I think every time any of this stuff comes up. Like I said, brilliant.
Oooh “brilliant.” Me likes. Thanks for inflating my ego on this sunny Tuesday, Kristi 😉
Yuck, sorry. I think we were all happier before we knew every inner thought of our “friends”.
Also, well said.
I agree. Damn Facebook for giving these asshats a soapbox!
This was spot on Steph. Some people are haters regardless and it’s impossible to reason with them. But I love you for a very thoughtful and insightful post!
Penny, you ain’t kidding some are immune to reasoning. It’s quite scary actually!
It’s such a relief to me when someone puts my thoughts into eloquent words better than I could have! Great post.
You’re so kind, Amy. Thank you for reading and most importantly, AGREEING! 😉
You really nailed this post.
As someone who works with a lot of foreign labor, I have nothing but respect for those people who leave behind all they know for the chance of a better life, or at least a better income. Yes, there are some looking for the easy life. There are some who come to North America and bring their hatred with them.
But that is not everyone.
Vanessa, for as many immigrants who expect the easy life, there are just as many Americans who expect the same. The work ethic that built this country is all but gone!
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Soo, soo good. So good. (I just set a record for o’s used in a comment, sorry) 🙂
Anna, thank you for reading. My daughter’s favorite letter is O, so you were obviously channeling her with your comment 😉
Sometimes you have to be a trouble maker to be a peace maker.
Excellent post. Awesome analogies. Hats off to you for this one!
Thanks so much, Jen! I appreciate you reading and commenting <3