iVillage women say it’s time for tolerance

Last year's terrorist attacks on the United States sparked a flood of racist violence around the world. Just days after the strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the FBI were investigating numerous hate crimes and American Muslims were alarmed by the rise in reports of physical or verbal abuse directed against members of their community. Britain fared little better.

As the world marks the one year anniversary of September 11th, we look back at some of the pleas for tolerance made by iVillage women on our sister site in the US just days after the terrible attacks. Their comments still resonate today…

Scenes of Fear and Anger

'I've been so upset over this whole tragedy. So many lives have been tragically affected and my prayers are with everyone. However, I am greatly concerned for innocent Muslims in America. I've heard people on the radio condemning all Muslims and I've heard about death threats to Islamic organizations, and it makes me so sad. I am Christian and my husband is Muslim. We live in a very Christian-dominated city. His co-workers are making some terrible comments and accusing him of being some terrible person just because of his religious belief. I'm deeply saddened by the tragedy but also by the inhumanity that takes place right in our own hometowns.'
iVillager froggy_chick, Interfaith Marriages message board.

'We have some neighbors down the street who are from India. Late last night as I was outside talking to the teenagers in the neighborhood, they told me that these poor people who had nothing to do with Tuesday's attack were holed up in their house all day, curtains drawn. Normally they have their doors and windows open. Obviously they were afraid to go out. Schools are closed today because of fear that there will be fights. Not everyone with brown skin and dark eyes is a terrorist. These people are as shocked, frightened and outraged as we are. We must keep our heads and remember that we are a country of diversity. We must remember who the enemy is and not see the enemy in every brown face.'
iVillager cl-kacywillow, Multi-Cultural Families message board.

'My daughter just came home from school and I asked her how things went. "Fine," she said - they discussed everything that happened in all the classes but one. In PE class she said that some boy who doesn't know her from Adam yelled, "I hope they kill all the Iranians!" The teacher was not in the room. I sure wish he had been. My daughter moved away from this kid. This was exactly what I expected would happen - generalization of people, no open-mindedness being taught and kids picking up on things others say. It is the untruths and negatives that seep into those impressionable young minds.
If you can take a moment please teach your children about the wrongness of generalizations like this. Educate, educate, educate, and most of all teach compassion.'
iVillager twoki, Multicultural Families message board.

Teaching Our Children

'Although I am a Christian, I have done a great deal of long-term, in-depth study on Islam. When this tragedy happened I knew what the instant reaction would be and knew how wrong those who are ignorant of Muslim beliefs would be. I was prepared to answer my children's questions when they came home from school, expecting them to have heard negative things. Instead it was a wonderful surprise to learn that my son's fifth grade social studies teacher had already explained to the children that true Islam is a religion of peace and discussed with the children what was happening with this in mind so that they came to the conclusion themselves that widespread anger towards Muslims was not fair.'
iVillager zyphoid, Sunni Muslim Parenting message board.

'I sat down with my children last night, and we talked about tolerance and how the actions of a few people are not always the actions of an entire people. I read to my nine-year-old the messages of concern from people all over the world. My daughter was quite upset by the images of people celebrating in other countries.
I explained to her that they are celebrating only what they have been told - not the reality of the situation. They do not understand that innocent people were killed - they see a building, a symbol, not the lives lost.
Today I passed out white ribbons and my daughter and sons took a large supply to school as well. I also authored the following and have handed it out with the white ribbons.
"White for hope for the survivors that are still trapped in the rubble. White for peace to all of us who were touched by grief and shock. White for peace to the families and for the world. A ribbon so that we can see the concern of all and gather strength knowing that there are millions of people like us who share in this grief and sorrow - a tie to others."'
iVillager cl-rymada, Working Dogs message board.

Understanding Islam

'Salaam is usually how we greet each other. It means peace, which is the core of Islamic belief. Unfortunately, due to the actions of a few extremists, Islam and Muslims have become associated with terrorism. I along with many Muslims all over the world condemn Tuesday's tragedy. As a Palestinian I understand too well what it means to lose a loved one to terrorism. My prayers are with the victims and their families.'
iVillager salaam2001, In the News message board.

Words to Inspire

'I know if I see it, I will stand up for anyone who is being harassed or attacked. I am an American Jewish woman and I know what it means to be treated differently because of my religion. I know that there are certain parts of this country where I would not dare to live or venture to.
'Some people of Middle Eastern or south east Asian descent are living in parts of our country where they will be treated badly by those in our communities who are ignorant. Stand up for your fellow man and for your fellow human beings - defend the rights that we hold so dear to our hearts here in the United States of America.'
iVillager cl-discusfish, Aquarium message board.

'I drive an hour to and from work each day. On my way home Tuesday afternoon I spent most of the journey weeping as I listened to the tragic news and events of the day. I heard messages of confusion, of pain, of encouragement and of advice to Americans that they should not react out of hatred or violence towards people of certain nationalities.
While I listened, the reality of what transpired began to fully sink in, my body shook with emotion and the tears filled my eyes until I could barely see the road in front of me. I wiped them away and saw in the distance an American flag hanging half-staff. For the first time I truly understood the significance of what it means to be an American, of what that symbol really stands for.
In each car I passed, most with grim-faced people inside, I saw a family member - another human being who understood what I was feeling at that moment. I have never met these people, but for those brief seconds, as our cars passed and our eyes met, we were part of the same family - the family of the United States of America. And through this dark week of agony, we realize we are not alone in our pain.
The evil groups that have inflicted this despair on millions will ultimately gain nothing and will learn that the people of America, in times of need, come together, blind to race and color, beliefs and opinions and form a united front comprised of spirit, courage and the foundation on which this country was founded.'
iVillager foreverdita, In the News message board.

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