Posted to BBC's World Have Your Say Sept 9, 2010
The burning of any books, particularly a people's holy book, is unacceptable. This is an unfortunate over-reaction to an issue that is not being dealt with. That issue is that the Americanized world and Islam need to sit down and dialogue head on about conflicting values/practices and settle an understanding.
North Americans as a whole are not accustomed to visible religious identification. Increasingly large numbers of Muslim women are changing our relatively apolitical and religious anonymity. Many people are not comfortable with this. No one dares talk of it- freedom of dress.
Countless verses in the Koran support violence against women and girls. Even in non-violent communities and families, the voice of the female spirit is subjugated to those of men. Add to this to a diverse perspective on sexuality and sex itself. Again no one dares talk of this - freedom of religion and individual privacy.
Finally, the fact that aggressors to American safety (ie. 911) acted in the name of Islam leaves a wound that was never properly cared for. Some Muslims seem to pour salt into that wound. Certainly not all Muslims are terrorists nor violent. However, this is an issue that does need to be reconciled with the world.
The fact that there is general fear to dismiss these three issues and not engage in dialogue corners some people to over-react.
Let's deal with the real issues.
Put the lighter down!
Monday, September 20, 2010
How Can We All Live Together?
I dare suggest that cultural recognition not be limited to experiences of oppression in pursuit of reconciliation; (un)wittingly internalizing and branding images of weakness upon people. Recognition, more than equally refocused on positive contributions to human history, will empower everyone.
A reduction in Black History Month's obsession with slavery for an increase of information about humanity's recorded Prehistory will unite us with reverence for our early humans. We'll have come a long way baby when we admire equally matters of cooking and matters of finance. Rather than funding the recognition of the internment experience, recognize, hone, and disseminate successful aspects of the Italian-Canadian experience as a roadmap to immigrant integration. These lessons will strengthen Canadian identity, synergies, and multicultural harmony. Simply not defaming the waters and forests will offer more economic benefit to indigenous communities than cash bonuses for living through an ethnic round up. And practicing democracy, legislative due process, and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a better time than fighting class action law suits.
Attention to the achievements and attributes of positive experiences will unfold solutions, opportunities, and synergies. If your focus is fighting something, someone, and you spend all your energy calling this thing - it will come into your life. Leave it. Do not ignore it. But leave it far from your passions. Protect your values by indulging in them. Be the undisputable example of their good. Through your joy and solid calm shall others also pursue a like path toward their own light, their own contribution and experience.
Dance; enjoy it. Smile. Engage in your communities. Indulge in your families. Share. Talk. Discuss ideas about life. Improve yourself, your work, your actions, and your energy. Be kind. Be healthy and strong. Share information. Document experience. Diffuse to those who may not already know what you can see so clearly. Speak with them a common language of shared human experience. Focus on solutions. Highlight opportunities. Disseminate too with the choir, empowered by communal confidence in the goodness of people and value of peace.
The Rhythm and La Runa.
Sabrina Di Marco
August 20, 2010
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