COMMENTARY
 by Alex Wagner |
If you were in New York City in the weeks after September 11th, you remember the sudden and conspicuous appearance of American flag decals on taxicab windows and food carts—many of which were driven and owned by Muslim and Hindu merchants. The stickers were described as a sort of “insurance policy”: proof that these were patriots, and not terrorists intent on plotting the next national tragedy.
These were simply people living peacefully in the United States— but in that climate, it was better to put the sticker in the window, or hang a flag on the dashboard.
September 11th gave harbor to something that has long plagued our society: a deep, sinking suspicion of “the other.” In this case, “the other” was Islam.
For all of his gross miscalculations in the months following the attacks, it was President George W. Bush who immediately understood this, and who spoke directly to Muslims throughout the world in the days after, saying, “We respect your faith... Its teachings are good and peaceful. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends.”
But in the intervening years, Bush’s words have been forgotten. The fear around Islam and the “Mideast” has become further ingrained, the paranoia more insidious. When President Obama has been called “a secret Muslim,” the charge is no longer criticized for its inherent bigotry (So what if he is, in fact, Muslim?), it’s challenged as a matter of truth (Of course he’s not Muslim!).
On Sunday morning, an Army vet and a member of two racist skinhead bands, is alleged to have opened fire on worshippers at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six and wounding four. While we don’t yet have details on what motivated him, many, including the New York-based Sikh Coalition, say that practitioners of the Indian religion are often confused with Muslims because of their traditional beards and turbans. Since 2001, the Coalition says it has received more than 700 requests from Sikhs needing assistance with hate crimes, discrimination and bullying.
In the hours after the rampage in Oak Creek, a mosque in Joplin, Missouri that had been earlier targeted by an arsonist burned to the ground. Said the head of the mosque: “This is the month of Ramadan. We just take this as a test from God.”
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of hate groups in the U.S. has increased by 69-percent since 2000.
Census data shows that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just 12 miles north of Oak Creek, was the most segregated city in America last year. To this dubious distinction, its mayor, Tom Barrett, explained, “I think there are still some people who don’t want to live with people who have different skin colors than theirs.”
What these statistics and stories show us is a volatile mix of bigotry, fear, and hate. While President Obama said today that he was “heartbroken” by the events in Oak Creek, and Mitt Romney has pulled campaign ads and cancelled all local events until further notice, perhaps a better prescription might be a forceful reminder from our leaders about who we are and what we value.
Namely: that targeted violence and destruction are not tests for the faithful, but proof of a society that is sick and in need of healing. That the story of America is precisely the story of people of different skin colors living together. That there is no law that says you must prove your patriotism or defend your innocence with a bumper sticker or a flag decal. And that you can wear a turban, a yarmulke, a skullcap, or a hijab and be protected under our laws— and the fact that you are is precisely what makes this America.
Leave a Comment:
No one can argue with the points made by Alex Wagner, which dove-tail with the 'fearful American' thesis espoused by film-maker Michael Moore.
Most Americans just don't care about their neighbors. Especially those who are different. As long as we got our guns, TV's, SUV's, cheap gas, and beer in the fridge who cares about the other guy?
These 'United' States are anything but.
I don't see it changing in an environment controlled by Gov. Scott Walker think-alikes who brag about 'divide and conquer' as an appropriate social policy.
Alex, outstanding commentary. Thank you. I do believe that Lean Forward University (MSNBC) is providing a positive contribution to the needed conversation, though, who is listening, who is watching (I will not go into a tither, on why a news network, should NOT break away for the Olympics. Besides, we all know that you all work exceptionally hard, and some deserve a change of pace). Somehow, someway, the "non-believing" need to be brought into the discourse, on progressive solutions.
Thank you, Alex, for a very thought commentary. I do, however, have no faith in your prescription of "a forceful reminder from our leaders about who we are and what we value" having any significant influence on our "society that is sick and in need of healing". Would a forceful reminder from a parent heal a fearful child?
Does a diagnosis of a disease prove that "targeted violence and destruction are not tests for the faithful"?? I don't see the two conclusions as mutually exclusive.
I would argue that the ailment you are so clearly diagnosing is a fundamental call for love. Those who fall into the abyss of this hateful subculture have, at some point, attached themselves to a belief that "the other" is undeserving of love or compassion. These hate groups prey upon youth who do not feel loved and accepted. Ultimately, the more people reach out across cultural and racial "boundaries" to invite in people of diverse heritage, the quicker we will melt the perception which breeds this violence. "Hate-speak" will be rejected as the individual personally experiences and becomes aware that the beauty that lies within each and every human heart has no color. Isn't it the ultimate challenge or "test" for a society to respond to hateful violence by opening their hearts and arms to the sick "hater"?
BTW, does anyone else see the disturbing parallel in the culture that has taken possession of our Congress?
@Maui: The point you mention about people needing (or more correctly, finding the personal, unselfish desire to need) to try and experience more diverse cultures on a very personal basis is a good one, but I think it kind of highlights a problem in and of itself: financial capability and capacity.
For example, I'd love to take a trip to Egypt (yes, even amidst the turmoil of the moment) but there's no way in hell that's happening right now; just too cost-prohibitive. Thankfully where I stay it's not too hard to get a taste of certain parts of the culture within just a few miles, and it is pretty diverse and whatnot. Others are probably less fortunate, staying in a very homogeneous area that doesn't have a lot of different cultures locally. Of course, that isn't to say having the access and experience makes one any less of a bigot (in the case they still are, it is arguably worst since they can't claim ignorance as a factor), but it probably cuts down on the possibilities of being one, for certain.
Really, just having good karma and content in one's life, pushing to realize one's potential, and being optimistic at every turn and out-going, energized with warmth and love,..that's a real key in cutting down on the sourness that leads to the sort of hate-mongering many people these days seem to have.
Now, I'd like to start planning out for a global trip sometime,..where to start x3?...