I was perusing this post of Nick's on being British and the whole topic of race/country/religion affiliations.
It serves more to divide and distance us than anything else. And engender fear like no other. I'm so tired of the pronouncements from people who "hate" gays, muslims, negroes, etc and you turn around and ask them, well do you know any? Are there any in your circle? And the answer is inevitably, no. Most can't even take the time to get to know anyone outside their own comfortable (and smug)safety zone.
In this tiny far-flung planet, we need to celebrate our similarities and there are far more of them than there are differences.
In December 2007, over 2,000 American Muslims were asked what they would wish to say to the rest of the world. This is what they said. A music video for Kareem Salama's "A Land Called Paradise."
A LAND CALLED PARADISE.
Tolerance and understanding = beauty and enlightenment.
WWW, what a beautiful, touching video. Thank you for posting it on you blog.
ReplyDeleteBig, warm hugs,
H
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My mum has very negative opinions of all sorts of minority groups, but as you suggest she hardly knows any so where do these opinions come from? Mainly from her favourite paper the rabid and right-wing Daily Mail. The way papers like these casually whip up social hysteria is atrocious.
ReplyDeleteHi H!!
ReplyDeleteYes I've watched and listed to it a few times now and it never fails to get me!
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And not just in your Mum's neck of the woods, either Nick. The misogyny (sp?) and racism in the U.S. papers has to be seen to be believed (see primaries!). It may be subtle at times but it's there. How I wish the focus was put on the content of character, per MLK!
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Just had a chance to watch the video, www - very moving. I loved the one "I am black and I'm not a convert". Yes, surprise surprise, they're just ordinary folks who want the same sort of things as everyone else - a good life, happiness and freedom from violence and oppression.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it too, Nick. We all have so much more in common than we think!
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I know soooooo many who appoint themselves experts on Islam (and it's perceived all pervading evils), yet actually have absolutely NO first hand knowledge.
ReplyDeleteNot to bore anyone, but regulars over at my own blog know that I spend every bit of AFFORDABLE time I can, in Turkey. It's 98% (Sunni) Muslim, 1% Christian and 1% Jewish. And joy of joys it's joyishly SECULAR. So, apart from the very few extremist nutters (found everywhere, and always enjoying way too much hyped up publicity) the people in Turkey live in perfect harmony.
I'm able to spend so much time (nothing like enough though), there because one of my brothers sold up here in the UK when he retired and chose Turkey as the place he'd most like to spend his twilight years in - from all his prospective and completely possible, Med destinations considerations.
I can say here and now with hand on heart that when over there, my missus and I feel a lot safer, more welcome and just plain all round happier than we do in present day England. Sad, I know, but true.
Moreover, when among these lovely people, the whiter your hair and the more wrinkled your face, etc -- the more respect you're shown -- all the time and in every way.
I know it's not perfect, but it's come a long, long way since Attaturk first dragged Turkey out of the dark ages, and since other leaders have continued in the same direction.
It's all too easy for some critics (usually with subversive personal agendas), to find something to pick at and then make all manner of sweeping statements, outlandish pronoucements/announcements and pass collective judgements. But believe me, things are changing for the better for all concerned, at a fast increasing pace. I know it because I've seen it;experienced it;lived it - and loved it. (Still do, too).
And anway, who the hell among us live in PERFECT place.
(Phew! Rant ends)
;^)
Interestingly enough, Richard, I've put Turkey on my list of "have to visit" places due to your and others' recommendations.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day you'll ship-shop out of England and spend the twilight years there?
It sounds pretty close to paradise and we take paradise where we can get it!
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