A Change in My 9/11 Schedule

Believing all members of a group are evil = overgeneralization

Since 2001 I have never missed a visit to the World Trade Center site, going to pay my respects and mark a year in my life as well. From the beginning I established a tradition of what I wear, what I carry with me as well as the order of sites I see--the Morgan Bank, Federal Hall, Trinity Church and then Ground Zero.

Tomorrow, however, I will be adding another stop to my pilgrimage, as I will be heading over to Park Place to the pro-Muslim rally being held there.  I am not a religious person but I am an ethical one and I feel so much disappointment and anger over the unfair treatment of the followers of Mohammed and the founders of the Cordoba Center.  I am embarrassed by the ignorance I see and hear on a daily basis in reaction to the construction of the center and I feel the need to lend my presence, as well as my words, in helping fight ignorance and prejudice over this issue.  

As we mark this 9th anniversary of the tragedy that occurred here, think of the good people of all faiths, as well as those without one, who were murdered that day in the name of hate. Hate is the enemy dear readers--not Islam. 

Fort Hood: "It would be a shame if our diversity becames a casualty as well"

(prejudice) x (indifference) = (>prejudice)

Here is a clip from George Casey, Jr. the Army chief of staff on CNN speaking about the Fort Hood tragedy. While I think he is in denial about there not already being prejudice against non-Christians in the army, I was happy to hear him decry targeting minorities because of the apparent mental breakdown of one man.

If the shooter had been a white man from Kentucky who went to a small Baptist church, religion would have almost NOTHING to do with this discussion (outside of comments on if he did or did not attend services). Sadly, because he is not a member of the dominant religion in our simmering melting pot, that is almost all we are talking about.

As I commented on the Huffington Post this morning, the consequence of prejudice against one group is prejudice against another group.