America : Our Diversity is our Strength
Posted Sep 21, 2001

In this time of grief over the events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, let us not forget what our country stands for. America is a beacon of freedom to immigrants from all over the world. Our newest American citizens are often the most patriotic of all, having made the conscious choice to come to this country rather than having been lucky enough to be born here.

The saturating media coverage of the events, peppered with references to suspects being of Middle Eastern origin, having copies of the Koran in their luggage, etc., seems to give the impression that these ethnic or religious affiliations are in themselves problematic or incriminating. As Americans who are proud of our country's ethnic, racial, and religious diversity, we worry about the message that is being conveyed. We have heard that some people, out of the same type of ignorance and hatred that fuels fanatical fringe groups everywhere, have harassed and intimidated those they believe to be Muslims or ArabAmericans in our own communities. Yet the average Muslim is no more likely to be a terrorist, than the average Christian would be to bomb an abortion clinic or commit an act of terror like that perpetrated on the Federal Building in Oklahoma a few years ago. Every race, nationality, and religious group has its share of extremists.

On the news there was a person waving an American flag and shouting anti-Muslim insults in front of a mosque. It is hurtful to see the U.S. flag, a precious symbol of our freedom, being used as an instrument of hate. When Muslims see news footage of terrorists who interpret the sacred teachings of Islam as somehow justifying horrible acts, those Muslim viewers are hurt and offended too. The latest concern is that, by making groups of people feel like outsiders in their own country, we make them vulnerable and cause them to fear for their lives rather than seeing that they join us in their care for this country.

Let us not forget that America is a nation of immigrants. Both our newest immigrants as well as our ancestors, whose families have been here longer, have come here to be free. Free to be individual; free to worship as they choose. Our freedom is our most important treasure. This tragedy has had so many casualties; the freedom of any of us should not be among them.

We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, in response to the Day of Remembrance and Prayer for the events of September 11, 2001, closed our office early on Friday, September 14, 2001 to give our staff an opportunity to be with their families, to attend houses of worship and pray for the victims of this tragedy, each in her or his own way. We have also made a donation to the American Red Cross and encourage our readers to do whatever they can to help.