In the wake of the attack on the WTC, racist incidents
throughout the US are sharply up. So what I have tried
to do is put together a few words to encourage people who
might be inclined towards being racist to hold back. (Of
course people without such inclinations don't need words
at this point.)
I worked on it on zIWETHEY, and I am calling it done mainly because at some point you have to stop trying to edit. So here is the text that I would appreciate if you send around...
Thank you, and my apologies for the OT post.A Request For Tolerance As we all know, the United States is in a war. In all wars we need many kinds of skills, and this one is no different. So far we have needed fire fighters, doctors, blood donors and police investigators. We will shortly have many more needs. And many with those skills will come from our own Arab American community. Obviously they can serve in all of the ways that any American can serve. But only they can infiltrate terrorist cells. Many of them can provide translation services for our intelligence agencies. Some can provide specialized training and background for us. For the most part this is a community of loyal citizens, thankful for the opportunities that all Americans share. The actions of a few notwithstanding, these Americans believe in our country and, like the rest of us, want nothing more than to help in any way they can. Yes, many of them may follow Islam. But Osama Bin Laden's terrorists no more represent them than Timothy McVeigh represents Christianity. Let us not repeat mistakes past and try to make enemies out of loyal friends. Yet racists in our midst are doing just that. Wishing to do something against Arabic enemies, they attack our Arabic friends. This undermines both what we stand for as a nation, and our nation's ability to respond effectively to the current threat. America's strength and promise lies in providing a common home and purpose to people whose ancestors were divided. We should not let terrorists take this from us along with so much else. This, my friends and fellow Americans, is not the time for our house to be divided by racism, bigotry and hate. Our diverse nation, welcoming all, is the treasure we must preserve. So when next you see someone of another race, please smile. Ask them who they are and where they are from. Welcome them as fellow dreamers of our American dream. And if you see anyone harming our nation by attacking people we need in days to come, do not be passive. Instead speak up and show why these States are proudly named United. And please pass on this message and others like to to friends and family to remind them what we stand for and value.
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Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by VSarkiss (Monsignor) on Sep 17, 2001 at 20:04 UTC | |
by mdillon (Priest) on Sep 17, 2001 at 20:31 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by idnopheq (Chaplain) on Sep 17, 2001 at 20:42 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by cadfael (Friar) on Sep 17, 2001 at 17:21 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by George_Sherston (Vicar) on Sep 17, 2001 at 21:00 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by charnos (Friar) on Sep 17, 2001 at 20:41 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by Anonymous Monk on Sep 17, 2001 at 21:11 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by pmas (Hermit) on Sep 18, 2001 at 09:34 UTC | |
Re: OT - A Request for Tolerance
by buckaduck (Chaplain) on Sep 18, 2001 at 00:03 UTC |
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