Some Perspective Please
As a sociologist, my training is to make connections, and look beyond the present, beyond the individual, and beyond the “bits and pieces” offered by the media. With regard to the ongoing controversy surrounding the location of the Islamic Community Center in NYC, it is all too easy to get caught up in the details of recent events and lose perspective. Segregation, prejudice, fear, and misunderstanding brought about by religious diversity is as American as apple pie. So too is religious assimilation and genuine outreach and appreciation.
Recently, I read an editorial in a major newspaper in which the writer argued that in light of the mean-spiritedness triggered in part by the controversy over the Islamic community center, e pluribus unum (out of many one) is in danger of becoming e pluribus pluribus. In other words, unity is a thing of the past; divisiveness is the new norm. The writer, I think, could have used some perspective. Throughout American history, e pluribus unum has always been, in many respects, more theoretical than actual culture. Certainly, Mormons, Muslims, Quakers, Catholics, Jews, and other religious outsiders can attest to that. Because of prejudices in the larger society, people from these groups were at times considered not “American” enough. Furthermore, many so-called “True Americans” assumed these outsiders were hell bent on destroying our freedoms and our way of life.
While we can focus on individual Muslims to make any argument we want to make, we could do the same thing with any religious group, Christians included. The current controversy is simply the latest episode of religious intolerance and tolerance in American history. And, like other religious outsiders in the U.S., Muslims will be increasingly accepted and absorbed into mainstream American society in the years to come. But it won’t be easy, it never is.
What’s your perspective?
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As a Christian my perspective on the building of the Islamic Community Center at New York City ‘s ground zero as an insenssitive move on the part of the Islamic religion. I do believe they have a constitutional right to build there, however, I admit that I am not familiar with the Islamic belief perhaps I should be.
I viewed a film entitled ” Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslins Really Think” on August 31, 2010. This film was the result of a gallop poll taken all over the world, it results indicating how much alike Islamic families are to everyday families in the world. As a Christian it would seem to me it would be better for all concern to build somewhere eslse. There proving the claim make by the film that Muslins are not as people perceive them to be, superior and in want of Islamic ran world at the cost of other beliefs. According to the film Muslim’s are not as self-serving, to be fear as the media makes them out to be, but are victims of a few misguided terrorist.
I too, as a Black American Woman fully understand how a few can make a negative impression for most of your race and religious beliefs. I have made concessions many times for the greater good. It seems it is time for all concern to made concessions for the greater good for society in general.
The controversy being generated by location of the Islamic Community Center in NYS is not uncalled for because of the history behind the site, the short time lag between the 9/11 event and the proposal, and finally the “group” making proposal for the Islamic Center. In spite of our religious belief, it is difficult to see human being letting go easily events that touched on his belief and sentiment especially loss of beloved ones in such manner of what happened in ground zero. This goes to question our belief in God, when we hold tight to our unforgiving spirit. Both Muslims and Others are culprit of this.
The question that will agitate the mind of a student of sociology is; does the location of the Center bring social answer to prejudice between Muslims and Others as after-mate of 9/11 event. A lot of Americans have contrary view and see the declaration of the place as “Holy land” as religious victory in stead of social perspective of the center. Many will argue that the social activity of the Center will be restricted to Muslims.
America is a religious diversity country as such time will heal whatever prejudice against the Islamic Community Center culminating to social integration. The present controversy is not religious intolerance rather expression of the view of generality of Americans cutting across religious bigotry.
The media, CNN in particular, has done an admirable job of presenting the reality of the situation, by reminding us of the peacefulness of the great majority of devout Muslims, the activism in doing for the community as a whole and trying to teach the true Muslim faith as opposed to the Glen Beck version. Ali Velshi, a CNN show host who is a Muslim born in Kenya (interesting), has made a point that there were a lot of members of the Muslim community who died or who lost family members in the 9/11 attack. Are we not allowed to build a Christian Community center/church near the Murrah Building in Oklahoma city? Timothy McVeigh was a Christian. Is it insensitive of the English-accented folks to speak around us, because it reminds us of the fact that they used to own our country? (all right, I swiped that idea from Jon Stewart, but it is brilliant.)
The point is, we could make a case out of anyone in this country having beliefs or habits that somebody is going to find offensive, or frightening, or unnerving in some way. The best place to draw the line is in the Constitution. Then top it off with a good Christian “Love they neighbor,” even if he’s a little funny looking.