Hate in our Community

I have been thinking a lot lately about current events and the absolute venom I see in "public" opinion. I am having difficulty conceptualizing where this hate comes from.  I don't see it manifest itself as strongly in the daily lives of my family, friends, colleagues, church congregation, or in other aspects of my social circles but it is rampant on radio talk shows, newspaper article comments, and op/ed pieces.  I know from experience that my social network is compassionate, good natured, logical, and selfless.  I believe most people our community are the same.  Why then is there such a disconnect in the way in which I perceive people in my local community and national community and the drivel I hear in media comments?

For months I have thought the solution should be to avoid the media that frustrated me. I tried not to read the comments to online news articles, to avoid inflammatory "news" talk shows / TV programs, and to avoid commenting on political issues in social situations outside of close friends.  (My wife can tell you how that goes sometimes.)  I have rethought my stance and have decided that avoidance is not the solution.  They keep going and I keep avoiding, pretending everything is fine.  We need to have conversations.  Not the talk that seems to dominate social media today, telling you their viewpoints and then defending those views tooth and nail out of what seems to be arrogance and the need to be seen as an expert, but actual conversations where viewpoints are shared, listened to and thought about.  It is this type of conversation where results happen.  This is how friends should talk.

So with that I am sharing with you how I feel on two topics that are important to me and I welcome your feedback if you feel like sharing.  You can comment here, email, call, or stop by (especially if you live far away from me and I haven't seen you in a while).  I don't mind if you disagree with me.  I believe hearing other viewpoints will help make me more well rounded. (That and the desserts my wife makes).

Topic 1
Islamic Community Center and Mosque near Ground Zero

Let a center be built in the shadows of Ground Zero.  Let a center be built across the street from my home.  I agree with one of the developers, Sharif el-Gamal who said, "I am an American, I am a New Yorker, I don't hold my faith responsible for 9/11."

Two reasons I think this way.  One, in my mind anyone who is part of a religious, ethnic, or racial minority should be supportive of the project for the reasons Sharif stated.  When a member of my faith (which, by the way, is a minority and I feel is occasionally misunderstood) rapes, kills, or abuses someone I do not feel he or she represents me or my beliefs just because I belong to that same faith, ethnicity, or race.  I am not guilty by association.

Two, if not there, then where?  How many blocks away from Ground Zero is appropriate?  If you consider 9/11 an attack on America by the religion of Islam then how does putting it on 82nd street, in Brooklyn, or even in Kansas make a difference then 2 blocks away.  They are not building an embassy, they are not building a terrorist training camp, they are not building a nuclear reactor.

Topic 2
Illegal Immigration

The next time you are late for work or another appointment and you are driving your car knowing that you are going faster then the speed limit think for a second about illegal immigration.  You know that if you come across a police officer there is a chance you could get a ticket but often we choose to run that risk because it may be better to get to work on time.  I believe that is the attitude the majority of illegal immigrants have that brings them to the U.S.  They realize that they are doing something illegal but under the circumstances they face they feel this is the better choice.

Before you think about shutting me out let me state that I do not think we should have open boarders allowing whoever wants to come to this country free access.  I support immigration reforms.  I do not think the vast majority of illegal aliens are violent criminals and I reject the fear tactics that some politicians and others are circulating.

Yes, there is a problem with drug and human trafficking.  Yes, I recognize a lot of money is being spent on immigration issues.  I also realize that there are many layers to this problem.  Putting the solution solely on undocumented immigrants is short sided.  The majority of illegal immigrants are not the ones buying the drugs that are being brought past the boarder by the cartels.  The majority of illegal immigrants are not gang members and violent criminals.  However, treating illegal immigrants like they are part of the cartels and gangs will serve to make the community even more tight lipped and protective forcing them to the cartels and gangs for support our community will not give.

Let us find compassionate, logical solutions to the problem of immigration.  I really like this editorial that ran on KSL News in Salt Lake City.  Click here if interested ksl.com - Editorial: Immigration-It's about us

I am interested to know what you think about these or other topics.