I am reposting this piece, in light of the horrific events in Brussels yesterday and the backlash against the Muslim community. Almost immediately yesterday, the vile hashtags #StopIslam was trending. Truly disgusting things being said about an entire people and faith, due the actions of radicalized members of Islam. It is deeply disturbing to me, on so many levels! The hashtag #MuslimsForPeace sprung from that, and I support their efforts to bring awareness to Muslims who simply want to worship their religion in peace, and have an equal (or greater) stake in ending terrorism. I hope you will share this piece, or do what you can to bring awareness to the backlash of hate being directed at innocent Muslim families all over the world. We must all stand together for peaceful solutions, to stop ISIS and radical groups who terrorize us all.
*This piece was also featured on Huffington Post this week; check it out here. Please hit the FB Like at the top, to support my work. Thank you!
I don’t usually write about politics, or world issues. If you’ve read my work, it’s generally about parenting, personal change, life. However, the past months have been shocking on virtually every level. Paris, San Bernadino, scenes from Syria and around the world, and the relentless brutality and ideology of ISIS, have dominated the news. It’s hard to tune in and not feel wary; it’s hard to not feel hopeless. How do we avoid terrorism, when it seems to show up in the very places where we live our lives: concert halls, movie theaters, holiday parties, restaurants, and the streets of the cities we live. I am not a paranoid person, but it’s enough to leave even the most stalwart observer, ruffled. As…
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
yes –
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Thanks!
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I’m honored that you found my piece meaningful and appreciate you sharing it. Thank you! We must all stand together for peace, for there to be any change.
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Thank you so much for your great post.
Indeed we all need to stand together for the Peace. We all are human beings. Not matter the race, the religion.
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Absolutely! I couldn’t agree me.
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From all your posts about traveling, I can tell you are pretty wealthy and you have also talked about living in the pnw which is one of the whitest areas. So let me ask you this, dawn. Do you HAVE any Muslim neighbors to “hug”? Did you stop to imagine that
Maybe Muslim people don’t want your “hug?” This whole piece, written is very condescending. Also likening Muslims to cops is, frankly, offensive. Being Muslim is a religious, spiritual, cultural, familial identity. Being a cop is a choice someone makes to take control over other people’s lives and bodies. Those are VERY different things.
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Fiona, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and express your views on this. I appreciate hearing your take, and can see how I may have unintentionally offended you, or others (I have not heard from anyone else, who felt that way, but I’m sure that’s possible).
I don’t think my finances have anything to do with the person I am. You don’t know where I come from, how I’ve lived and how I got where I am. I have in fact had a number of Muslim friends and neighbors of the years, and have spent a great deal of time around Muslims. That said, yes, living in the PNW is very limiting in that respect, though we do indeed have Muslim friends here too. I don’t think I need to have them to express an opinion. I did think about whether my words might offend, but instead, this piece (on HuffPo) has been Tweeted by more Muslims and Muslim groups than I could possibly have imagined. I am very grateful for the incredibly supportive and kind responses (private and public) that I’ve gotten from so many Muslims, who did like the piece
I am well aware that when I write something, there will be pieces that offend some, and touch others. My intention is good, and I in NO way set out to offend, condescend or insult. The “hug” is metaphorical, as I don’t think anyone should hug anyone, unless invited to. But I do find the attack on Muslims around the world, in response to terrorist activities, abhorrent and disturbing. I did I did not liken Muslims to police officers (though it’s sad that you find that so offensive), but merely pointed out that lumping any group, based on the actions of a few, is wrong. I did give examples, but did not say one was the other.
Again, I’m sincerely sorry that you took this in such a negative way, but I appreciate you sharing candidly. It helps me to consider a position that i might not have taken as seriously as I should have. Thanks.
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