Ok. I'm going to talk about 'THE' video. If you have no clue what video I'm referring to, take you head out of the sand and pick up a newspaper from today or the previous couple of days. Yes, THAT video.
Ok. Now that we're all on the same page....
Via the modern joy that is social networking, I'm seeing words of racism and hate in response to those who are protesting the video with violence. First, I understand that the video's message is bad. Second, I also know that it was of a very poor quality. Clearly, it was not done by some fancy Hollywood producer.
I am certainly not condoning violence. Got it? Violence is bad. Violence is way not cool. Violence does not solve anything. Again, got it? Just in case you missed it: violence = evil.
If you are one of my readers in the States, sit and think about who these protesters likely are. They are likely uneducated about US laws regarding the freedom of speech. Many of the countries where these protests are taking place have censorship in some form or another. Folks outside of the US don't always understand or even begin to comprehend what freedom of speech means. Many people outside of the States would find it almost impossible to believe that 'the video' is allowed to be out in the public domain without approval from the US government or having been through some kind of censorship process. Many people outside of the States just don't understand that the folks who were involved with the making of the video can't be arrested for making it. But, the fact that one guy involved in making the video was hauled in by police in the States for questioning to see if he violated his parole (ie his get out of jail card) says that there are folks in the States who really do care about what is happening. But, the folks who care have to work within the law.
Further....the question begs to be asked, "What other reasons would these people have to protest against the US?" Are they being 'whipped up' by somebody with a political agenda? Are they angry at their own government about something? Are they simply uneducated?
The devout Muslims I know would never resort to or even condone violence. Are they offended by the video? Of course they are. But, resorting to violence is never a way to have a conversation. Anybody who resorts to violence is only hurting themselves in the end.
There is a word in Arabic, 'marhaba', that is used as hello or welcome. So, if someone rings my door bell, I open the door, I could say, "Marhaba! Please come in!" Some would say that the origin of 'marhaba' is Persian, and it originally meant, 'no harm can come from me to you'. Others would say that the word originated in Aramaic (the language of Jesus?) and originally meant, essentially, God is love.
'Marhaba' reminds me of the Middle East that I know.
Peace.
Edit (22 September) I just went and re-read this, and it could sound like I am defending those who are protesting the video. I am not defending their actions. I do not condone violence. Period.
Ok. Now that we're all on the same page....
Via the modern joy that is social networking, I'm seeing words of racism and hate in response to those who are protesting the video with violence. First, I understand that the video's message is bad. Second, I also know that it was of a very poor quality. Clearly, it was not done by some fancy Hollywood producer.
I am certainly not condoning violence. Got it? Violence is bad. Violence is way not cool. Violence does not solve anything. Again, got it? Just in case you missed it: violence = evil.
If you are one of my readers in the States, sit and think about who these protesters likely are. They are likely uneducated about US laws regarding the freedom of speech. Many of the countries where these protests are taking place have censorship in some form or another. Folks outside of the US don't always understand or even begin to comprehend what freedom of speech means. Many people outside of the States would find it almost impossible to believe that 'the video' is allowed to be out in the public domain without approval from the US government or having been through some kind of censorship process. Many people outside of the States just don't understand that the folks who were involved with the making of the video can't be arrested for making it. But, the fact that one guy involved in making the video was hauled in by police in the States for questioning to see if he violated his parole (ie his get out of jail card) says that there are folks in the States who really do care about what is happening. But, the folks who care have to work within the law.
Further....the question begs to be asked, "What other reasons would these people have to protest against the US?" Are they being 'whipped up' by somebody with a political agenda? Are they angry at their own government about something? Are they simply uneducated?
The devout Muslims I know would never resort to or even condone violence. Are they offended by the video? Of course they are. But, resorting to violence is never a way to have a conversation. Anybody who resorts to violence is only hurting themselves in the end.
There is a word in Arabic, 'marhaba', that is used as hello or welcome. So, if someone rings my door bell, I open the door, I could say, "Marhaba! Please come in!" Some would say that the origin of 'marhaba' is Persian, and it originally meant, 'no harm can come from me to you'. Others would say that the word originated in Aramaic (the language of Jesus?) and originally meant, essentially, God is love.
'Marhaba' reminds me of the Middle East that I know.
Peace.
Edit (22 September) I just went and re-read this, and it could sound like I am defending those who are protesting the video. I am not defending their actions. I do not condone violence. Period.
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Be peaceful and respectful.