ATTACK ON AMERICA
We are in a oment of great national and even global tragedy. As a people, we are experiencing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of innocent life and intense anger that this was the result of the willful destructive and murderous actions of other human beings. At such painful moments, we ask how can human beings do this to each other and what can we do about it? The answers to these questions are varied and complex, but one thing is certainly true: When people of different cultures do not know each other, it becomes easier to dehumanize the people who look and live differently and view them as an evil enemy worthy of death and destruction. Isolation and prejudice are true enemies of a safe, civilized society.
Here in Snohomish County we are now a microcosm of many different world cultures and ethnic groups. The latest census shows that many people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and differing cultures call Snohomish County home. We are all struggling to deal with our pain and anger over the horrendous terrorist acts carried out by a small number of misguided, anger-filled persons. Let’s not follow these terrorists’ lead by distrusting and vilifying our own neighbors who might look or dress or speak differently.
Our local leaders, County Executive Bob Drewel, Sheriff Rick Bart and Gov. Gary Locke, have all wisely encouraged us to remain respectful and tolerant of one another locally – to celebrate our diversity and not be fearful of it. Unfortunately, within hours of the terrorist attack, we had local threats being made towards Muslim Americans living in Snohomish County, and the sign at our local mosque in Lynnwood was splattered with black paint. Intolerance, prejudice, scapegoating and threatening our own neighbors is not a solution to this situation, but only a continuation of the basic problem.
As the Coordinating Board of Healthy Communities of Snohomish County, a community-based initiative of United Way of Snohomish County, we suggest the following local solution to the problem of terrorism. Become involved in your community. Get out and get to know your neighbors who represent a different cultural background. Join a study group on diversity. Host a diversity dinner at your home, and invite your neighbors. Let’s have multi-religious gatherings where we celebrate our common spiritual yearnings. Together, let’s work to make Snohomish County a place where diversity is celebrated as an important community asset, and not a liability that divides and tears us apart. We can reach out to each other with a desire to understand, rather than isolating ourselves into neighborhoods of fear.
And please, at this critical moment in our history, let’s not be reactive against our own Muslim American neighbors. It is not a time for unthinking, knee-jerk, prejudicial reactions, but rather a time to remember that we are all equally Americans. Muslim American medical and rescue personnel are on the scene in New York doing their part in aiding the rescue efforts. Many Muslim Americans are giving their blood at blood banks in support. It is highly likely that among the dead are numerous Muslim Americans. It is time to remember that the Muslim Americans living here in Snohomish County are full participants in feeling all of the pain and horror that Americans are experiencing from this horrific terrorist attack. They should not have to also fear for their own lives for something for which they are completely innocent. Our Snohomish County community is stronger than that.
The Healthy Communities of Snohomish County Coordinating Board
Everett
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