I’ve been so saddened and upset by the rancorous, fearful shunning of both Muslims and Mexican immigrants that I hear all around me these days. If only it were just “out there” – in the “gotta-make-a-buck-so-let’s-sensationalize-EVERYTHING media. But alas, people I know – GOOD people, seemingly kind people, often purportedly religious or spiritual people – send me anti-Muslim emails. Or post things on their Facebook pages cheering on the mean-spirited racist law in Arizona targeting Mexicans (really – have you heard of the illegal Polish or Irish immigrants – of whom there are PLENTY – being arrested or harassed?).
I saw an article the other day that compared our current anti-Muslim hysteria to the internment of Japanese-Americans (who were American citizens, as you’ll recall) during World War II. One of my friends was not even aware of this – a part of our history that we’ve shamefacedly downplayed, I suppose. I pointed out to her that in WWII we had two enemies (3, I guess if you count the Fascist regime in Italy). So we locked up American citizens of Japanese descent on the West Coast – fearing a Japanese invasion and their possible collusion. But we did NOT do the same to German-Americans (note: Largest ethnic group in the US = German-Americans) on the East Coast. If there is a reason beyond racism and that it’s easier to “see” that someone is Japanese rather than German, I don’t know it. And I would argue that whatever other reasons are put forward racism and fear were the predominant reasons.
So too with Mexican immigrants. I would argue that here in Chicago Polish illegal immigrants are likely as numerous as Mexican ones. If you’ve had home repair work done or your house cleaned you may have second-hand hired such folks. Or if you work in an office building that gets cleaned at night – those invisible bathroom-cleaning sprites are likely Polish immigrants and I so very doubt that they are all “legal”. But they are white. So they apparently do not pose the same threat to our economic well-being as the brown-skinned people who do our yard work in the middle of the heat of summer or bus our tables when we go out to eat.
With Muslims it gets even more complicated. My friend Bill told me yesterday that he had read that most Arab-Americans are actually Christian. And most Muslims in this country are from India, Pakistan and North Africa (and I would add that I believe there is a growing African-American Muslim community dating back to the time of Malcolm X).
Even if you believe that it was Al Qaeda ONLY who were behind the 9/11 attacks on America (I personally think that is a simplistic, reductionist view, but I recognize it is the majority view), blaming all Muslims for that action is like equating all Irish-Americans or Irish nationals with the IRA. It’s absurd. And racist. And fear-based.
September 12, 2001 I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a copy of the Qur’an/Koran and in that next week I read the whole thing. Since the media was blaming the attack on the ‘violence’ of Islam, I wanted to see for myself. Like the Old Testament, it’s a mixed bag- there is plenty of smiting and a sometimes violent (and to me, at times capricious) God involved. And there are even more reminders to live a good life, to be kind, to be loving. Actually, I think there is way more of the latter in the Qur’an than in the Old Testament.
Reading that holy book in such a charged time brought me a few revelations. The first was quite personal – a deeper understanding of what a total radical Jesus was. What has been said and done in his name has struck me as so often offensive that I don’t think I had a good understanding of how totally revolutionary his message was – not only in the time/place in which it occurred, but now.
The second was a reminder of how “religion” like “patriotism” are both used by the power elite and the media who serve them to corral the public. How wrapping people’s fear in the flag or the cross are used to justify meanness at the least and state-sanctioned terrorism (the Japanese internment being one such example) at the worst.
I understand that people are very fearful now and I understand that without a broader view or strong spiritual underlying principles how that makes sense – the fear.
And when we’re fearful it’s comforting in some primordial way to have someone to blame. Things will be better if only we can eradicate THEM. We don’t look at our own darkness, or our own power – but seek to “make it go away” by blaming the other. And it’s so much easier if the other doesn’t LOOK like us, for then when we hold up the mirror (as we surely must) we can fool ourselves into the “not like me” self-righteous bullshit that so serves the power structure.
For if we really wanted to look at the state of America today it would not be illegal immigrants or Muslims we’d have to call out. And so the true villains – which, perforce includes every single one of us to some degree, and most assuredly includes the power structure – distract us with “Look! over there! there’s the bad guys.”
There was an article this morning on www.cnn.com – that was in response to the obscenity of the Glenn Beck rally yesterday (which I did not read as it seemed an apologia for the right-wing – yes, I should broaden my perspective but at least not before breakfast) but it’s title struck me “U.S. was born a Christian nation”.
I would challenge that writer and others who call themselves Christian. Not on the title – for the U.S. WAS founded precisely because of the strong desire for religious freedom – and it WAS founded by people from the Christian tradition.
But I would ask them to go back and reread THEIR book (and I would suggest a quick read of the Qur’an as well). Who would Jesus shun? Do you think he’d be hanging out with Jan Brewer? Or Mexicans huddled around their family table, after a long day in the fields? Does it seem to you that he would be rallying people to preach hate? Would Jesus hang out with Fred Phelps? Glenn Beck?
Or would he be helping Muslims in Dearborn Michigan?
Where is the “religious” right – where are ANY religious leaders – speaking out on religious freedom? Who is standing for the oppressed? Who is reminding us to “love one another, as my father has loved you?”
With the most recent incident of receiving an anti-Muslim email from a person I know to be good occurred, rather than delete it (or worse, delete her from my life) I chose to write to her. I nabbed a copy of the image of the “Coexist” bumper sticker I love (with symbols of the world’s great religions built into the word). I simply titled my email response “No one religion is “right” or “wrong” – we are all one (and scare tactics —– who benefits??)”
So I ask you today – whatever YOUR religion, or lack thereof – who would Jesus shun? What would Buddha suggest we do about “the Muslim threat” or “illegal immigrants”? And while my knowledge of Judaism is woefully weak, the thing I like most about it, learned from my Jewish friends, is the culture of welcoming strangers into community. Would a truly observant Jew shun her Muslim neighbor? Or invite her in?
Religion is being dressed up to look like the Big Bad Wolf at the door – distracting us from the ‘men in the shadows’ who are wearing Armani suits and don’t live in caves in Pakistan – they live in suburbs of DC – or in your town.
Who benefits from this divisiveness and mean-spiritedness? I can assure you definititively – NOT YOU.
In a bit of divine synchronicity, after posting this, I went to read the blogs to whch I subscribe and found this totally relevant blog post at Jacob Needleman’s blog: http://jacobneedleman.com/blog/?p=266
He’s a current philosopher and I’ve reviewed one of his books (Time and the Soul) in my blog. His books are heavenly – and in this blog post today he provides a good solution to the problem I pose above!
First and foremost, please accept the fact that this Nation of ours was not birthed in Christianity! There have been native peoples here on this continent for over 40 thousand years. They believe they were placed here, each tribe having their own take on Creation. It is a time when religion is being examined with a microscope, is it the precursor of us blending our belief systems into one? I respect all you have said here, and totally agree that putting “blame” on something is an immature and sweep it over there way to be. We are one Human Family. This country is full of peoples from every race and every country. The diversity seems to be overlooked by the constant ridicule and complaining. Are folks that insecure? Do they think that there is a take over? Why? Focus should be on getting along, not filing people into ethnic groups.
I will read the other blog, you are full of courage, I admire the words put forth here. We do not need to be “Right” or “Left”; we need to BE!
Although I cannot speak for the Buddha or Jesus, neither of them would see this division. I don’ think we do either.
I saw my first Impeach Obama bumper sticker on a brand new white Lexus this week, I shook my head no, and smiled at the woman as she pulled away from the drugstore, what would I gain by confrontation?
Be the Medicine.
(i’m not a religious person. i should say i don’t believe in organized religion. it seems to breed hate. although it shouldn’t. )
‘why CAN’T we just all get along?’
it seems like it should be so easy. and i thought that with the election of Obama (yay!) that we would all be heading in the right direction…a new direction…of understanding and acceptance…
and getting along. boy, was i wrong.
it’s disgusting how many people can’t SEE. how people can HATE because of someone’s religion or color…or ethnicity.
i have chosen to NOT say anything to those who start spewing about why we shouldn’t have a mosque near where the trade centers were…because it was the muslims that did that to us. i just shake my head…and boil over inside.
it doesn’t do any good to say that terrorists were responsible. that all muslims are not terrorists. and so on and so on.
being reminded of (one of) your previous posts about ‘change’…i don’t see any change to these people’s mentality anytime soon.
so sad….
Laura – I think we all must continue to BE the light we seek. I remind myself of that – to not get distracted by the naysayers, but to seek out the good. Keep doing your good work – YOU make a difference!
Great article Diane. I am glad there is someone who writes what I think :>)
Hugs, Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl! Looking forward to seeing you later this month!
Julia I am in agreement that America, like Australia, has an Indigenous history that goes way back beyond the introduction of Christianity and all that happened to the traditional peoples so that Christianity could become the dominating Story. When Christians arrived in this country it was a very healthy, well balanced country with sophisticated systems of kinship and societal relationships that were destroyed over night in Christian Conversion infiltration that destroyed hundreds of thousands of peoples lives.
The Christian story is one of adversarial struggle, misunderstandings, subjugation and an enlightened Healer who was crucified. Indigenous Creation stories also have division and struggle as part of their core story…however one thing that is vastly different is the recognition of the Oneness of all things in many of the Stories…the connection to earth, water, fire and air. and animals…..whereas Christianity is ‘dominion” and conversion oriented and has a core fractal of vilification and torment as part of Jesus’s Earth walk…
Here in Australia the ‘boat people’ are vilified in the public arena as well as Muslims and African refugees, Aboriginal people still are – the United Nations has admonished the Australian Government for suspending the Human Rights legislation so they could take over Communities. The demonising of one group of people by another is occurring right across the world and always has been a part of the collective human preoccupation in some shape or form……
As an Australian I rarely see positive representations of the rightful land custodians, the Native Americans, in the media…and Americans may well wonder where are our high profile Aboriginal people?
Where all of this sits with me is confirmation that Earth is some weird kind of “Soul School” in the cosmos and is occupied with a vast variety of ‘levels’ from deep asleep and immersed in ego through to advanced awareness and here to make a difference.
We are an evolving species and a kindergarten child will not grasp the mathematical formulas of a university graduate.
When I encounter racism, and sexism and ageism….as I do often working in homeless shelters – I recognise that the nastiness and exclusion orientation of some people is a reflection of their current state of Soul development and thus I choose carefully where to focus my energies for change as ignorance is wide spread and there are many ‘battles’ to be fought….with Love…
In summary, I personally do not draw on the Christian based stories and Jesus as the manifestation of God here on Earth because of the violence and division in its origins and the devastation Christianity has wreaked for Aboriginal people in this country. I choose a Goddess perspective that is about our relationship with Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of all things.
How Jesus would engage with people is really only relevant if you believe that Story..and many who do insist that others must also accept the ‘saviour’ and Christianity is ‘The” answer…so there are many oppositional currents seeking to make the tides of Peace in this world…
Many of the religious leaders who are not speaking out or contributing to the collective growth and enlightenment are very fixed on their view that THEIR religion is the ‘right’ one….
I wrote a story about how racism can be ‘caught’ in the school yard:
http://carolom.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/the-virus/
Carol – what a thought-filled post in response to Julia’s equally thought-filled post. Forgive me, both, for ‘forgetting’ the aboriginal peoples of this land. Carol, I was particularly taken by your comments: <>
Am I right in remembering you being part of Jean Houston’s Mystery School community? If not, you surely resonate there. I too believe earth is a school for our souls. And while I do think we are still young in our learning, I agree with my teacher Jean Houston that we are, indeed, in a Jump Time – about to take a quantum leap. It is those of us awake and aware that can lead the way – but I am hopeful there is no “us and them” (ala “the Rapture”) but that we “each one, teach one” and gently move together towards our shared greater destiny. It’s here….
Diane – Very thoughtful and insightful (as usual).
On some level it all comes back to being tolerant, compassionate and to setting self interest and selfishness aside for the good of others.
Bill
Bill – when I think of people who most model being tolerant, compassionate and set aside self-interest for others, it is you, my dear friend. You’ve been a teacher for me (and trying hard to civilize and tame me!) for lo these many years. Keep speaking up here, we need YOUR voice, Bill.
Thank you Diane, and each of the above folks who have added their comments. As the Dalai Lama said not too long ago, “this should be the century of dialogue”. The best thing that comes out of such sad displays of intolerance as the mosque issue and illegal immigrants is that people talk. Unfortunately, much of it seems unproductive, but I always have hope that seeds of understanding are being planted.
I believe in my heart that there are more people out there (globally) who are in the process of making a consciousness shift than there are people who are still deeply asleep. It feels like we’re in the birth canal here and the best thing to do is keep pushing (with love) and deliver this baby!
Each person that lives a peaceful life and reaches out to “others” knowing they are not really “other”, but truly themselves in a different suit… makes a difference. There are massive numbers of us out there and we are turning the tide, a shift is indeed occurring.
Thank you again, Diane, for taking the time to share your lovely, peaceful voice. You’re a treasure.
Love and respect to each of you.
Mary – you and I are on such a wavelength! (and folks – check out Mary’s great blog – click on her name in the comment stream to go to “I Had it All the Time”). I LOVED what you wrote:
<>
I think that’s why we’re all experienceing such upset – labor pains are beginning!
Diane thanx for the post and the concern about this country and the people in it. The Jesus I know would not be setting any nation apart from the whole. He would welcome us all, care for us all and love us all. I am also amazed at some of the attitudes about human life that a number of people live with, Hate, destruction and.. I don’t care what happens to anyone else I just want what I want…kind of attitude. This law to prevent people from sharing in our world is ludicrous as well as the refusal to let a Mosque be built, whether it is close to our dreadful disaster area or blocks away. I think that our country in many ways is losing it’s focus and it’s values. I think that this is why thousands of people are looking to their spiritual awakening. I think this movement to love one another and to help one another is becoming wide spread and I think we need to jump on the band wagon so to speak. Because Diane no one else is going to come along and make things better for us. We have to do it ourselves. “We are the people that we have been waiting for” God Bless Diane.
Joyce – thank you for joining the dialogue here – please keep coming back and adding to discussions! I TOTALLY agree! As the song I sing says “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” – I think the words are from Alice Walker, but the sentiment seems growing. THe time is now. The people? Us. The action? Love, compassion and hurtling towards a new way of being, a new world, towards God-consciousness and Oneness. May it be so!