"Why should I care what is going on with Muslims?" my son asked.
"You may not be Muslim, but your people are. You may not know your culture, but you look like them. Whether or not it becomes your problem, it is something you should be prepared for."
I am not Muslim and I do not come from the Middle East. My sons were about 3 and 1 the last time they saw their father, the last time they were exposed to people of that culture. Even before that, my kids and I were "hidden" from their community, as his parents wanted to keep face.
I had already left him and was living in California when he got in trouble with law enforcement and was deported from Texas to Pakistan. I don't remember the details. By that time I no longer trusted him; I no longer cared.
And that is the extent of my children's experience of that half of themselves.
But, when you look at them, you can tell that they're not quite Mexican. Though you could see the relation between myself and them when they were younger, they are steadily growing into their Middle Eastern features. Handsome young men, my personal opinion. ; )
As the tension and fear increases subtly, I am no fool to the extent and audacity our government, and those who hide behind it, has for control. They have fully displayed over and over again what they are willing and capable of when they are scared. The media is persistent in specifying generalities. I am not naive to believe that appearances will not be generalized as well.
My children's ties to this "war" comes from a part of them they have yet to acknowledge. I have no other ties to this "war" other than my children and the attack on peace and justice. With the threat against peace and justice, no matter where it comes from.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Complexity behind the bullshit... The bullshit behind the complexity! Puzzles. Can anyone fully understand? When we can be so blindsided by our own ego and shortsightedness? I like to think it's possible. Is that MY ego talking? Everyone thinks they're right. Are they wrong? I say yes and no. Very few are able to take a stand without being arrogant on their stance. Very few. For one to be open-minded, is considered to be indecisive, 'politically correct,' easily manipulated.
Open-mindedness is the key.
Compassion and understanding.
The contrary is a block to progress and truth. To me, it is obvious that is what 'they' want." -March 12, 2014
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