Zach LarkinsCOME TOGETHER
A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away, there came strife and disruption and chaos. White men would bring black men to the shores of this distant land and sell them like so much chattel. Other countries had already outlawed this practice, but the people living in this place needed a bit more time to come around to a civilized way of thinking. In fact the argument grew so large that it caused a war to be fought between those who insisted black men were property and those who said no, they were indeed human beings entitled to all the rights and privileges granted the white man.
The war was fought and won by those those who wanted to free the black man, causing such distress that the leader of the country was gunned down one night. But the fight didn't end there. It would take yet another hundred years before the black man was allowed to attend the same schools the white children did, drink from the same water fountain the white man did, sit wherever he wanted to on a public bus instead of being told to sit in the back of it. After all this grief and strife the fight is not yet over, but giant strides are being made daily and the two races are learning to live side by side in harmony.
After the fight between the anti-blacks and pro-blacks was over the Irish started showing up on the shores of this land. Desperate to escape their disease ridden land, they often showed up hungry and penniless but with a fierce determination to find honest work so they could sustain themselves. They were shunned at first and no one wanted to hire them. Known for their drinking prowess and their willingness to duke it out with any and all who crossed their paths, they finally started to find employment as policemen. Who better to arrest someone than a man who wasn't afraid to use his fist if needs be? Finally, the citizens of this country decided that potato famine was not a contagious disease and began to welcome the Irish into their fold. Again, this is an ongoing story, but in the meantime, the Irish and the rest of the population are beginning to live in harmony.
Next came the Jews. No one wanted them. Hitler offered them up to just about every country in the world to get them out of his hair, and while many sympathized with their plight, no one would accept them. They were shunned, spat upon, slurred and made the target of what we now call hate crimes. Jim Stillman has writtena brilliant piece on the plight oof the Jews in this country and it is not difficult to imagine that if it is happening here, it must be worse in less tolerant societies. Still, the Jews persevered and became a force to be reckoned with. Still an ongoing saga, but in the meantime, we have learned to co-exist and tolerate each other. Religion should never stand in the way of friendship and slowly but surely we are learning this.
What does all this have to do with anything? I'm glad you asked. The black slaves, or rather, former slaves, signed up to help this country in its time of need. Whether that was WW II or relief efforts in hurricane whipped India, they were there. Willingly. The Irish and the Jews did, and still do, the exact same thing. Whether you are a fan of a 'melting pot' or 'multiculturalist' society really doesn't matter. It just goes to show what can be achieved when we all get together and start pulling in the same direction. Which brings us to Islam and the radical Muslims it breeds.
Writers other than myself have opined on this site that Muslims do nothing to dispell the notion that they are of a peaceful religion and want to rid themselves of the image of terrorism and suicide murderers. Look at any disaster that occurs around the world and what do you find? Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and every other religion you can name coming together to help those in need. And where are the Muslims? Over here, being offended at Christmas trees, not having separate prayer rooms, not being granted foot baths, etc. Is this how we assimilate? I think not.
I don't believe all Muslims are terrorists or suicide murderers. Most of them, I hope and pray, are gentle, law-abiding folks who just wish to be left to their own devices and allowed to worship in their own way. Fine by me. But they are conspicuously absent in their failure to help others less fortunate than themselves. Canada recently spent millions of dollars to retrieve a bunch of dual citizenship Lebanese from war torn Lebanon, only to see these same fools head back to that country when the fighting died down. How stupid is that? They should have been left to fend for themselves. Lebanon is a mainly Muslim country and these people came to Canada to escape the dictatorship they suffered over there. And they go back for more? Idiocy!
Other writers on this site will defend to the death their right to practice their faith and try to get you to believe their way is the right way. Everyone of every faith thinks their way is the right way. That doesn't make it right. Trying to shove it down your neighbour's throat makes it wrong. I may be Catholic, Lutheran or Anglican. You may be Jewish, Buddhist or Shinto. Why should we try to convert one another? Can't we just get along, help our fellow man when required and leave religion out of it? Apparently not. Some readers here take things all too seriously (themselves) and revert to name calling and foul language, as if that will make their point for them.
It's silly and childish, but considering the sources, you can't expect much better from these juveniles. As I've said above, the battles against prejudice and bigotry are far from over. But we can all at least try to come to some sort of agreement that we can do better and try to understand one another. And the Muslims can start by showing some faith in the system that affords them freedoms and roghts they never had in whatever country they escaped from.
The war was fought and won by those those who wanted to free the black man, causing such distress that the leader of the country was gunned down one night. But the fight didn't end there. It would take yet another hundred years before the black man was allowed to attend the same schools the white children did, drink from the same water fountain the white man did, sit wherever he wanted to on a public bus instead of being told to sit in the back of it. After all this grief and strife the fight is not yet over, but giant strides are being made daily and the two races are learning to live side by side in harmony.
After the fight between the anti-blacks and pro-blacks was over the Irish started showing up on the shores of this land. Desperate to escape their disease ridden land, they often showed up hungry and penniless but with a fierce determination to find honest work so they could sustain themselves. They were shunned at first and no one wanted to hire them. Known for their drinking prowess and their willingness to duke it out with any and all who crossed their paths, they finally started to find employment as policemen. Who better to arrest someone than a man who wasn't afraid to use his fist if needs be? Finally, the citizens of this country decided that potato famine was not a contagious disease and began to welcome the Irish into their fold. Again, this is an ongoing story, but in the meantime, the Irish and the rest of the population are beginning to live in harmony.
Next came the Jews. No one wanted them. Hitler offered them up to just about every country in the world to get them out of his hair, and while many sympathized with their plight, no one would accept them. They were shunned, spat upon, slurred and made the target of what we now call hate crimes. Jim Stillman has writtena brilliant piece on the plight oof the Jews in this country and it is not difficult to imagine that if it is happening here, it must be worse in less tolerant societies. Still, the Jews persevered and became a force to be reckoned with. Still an ongoing saga, but in the meantime, we have learned to co-exist and tolerate each other. Religion should never stand in the way of friendship and slowly but surely we are learning this.
What does all this have to do with anything? I'm glad you asked. The black slaves, or rather, former slaves, signed up to help this country in its time of need. Whether that was WW II or relief efforts in hurricane whipped India, they were there. Willingly. The Irish and the Jews did, and still do, the exact same thing. Whether you are a fan of a 'melting pot' or 'multiculturalist' society really doesn't matter. It just goes to show what can be achieved when we all get together and start pulling in the same direction. Which brings us to Islam and the radical Muslims it breeds.
Writers other than myself have opined on this site that Muslims do nothing to dispell the notion that they are of a peaceful religion and want to rid themselves of the image of terrorism and suicide murderers. Look at any disaster that occurs around the world and what do you find? Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and every other religion you can name coming together to help those in need. And where are the Muslims? Over here, being offended at Christmas trees, not having separate prayer rooms, not being granted foot baths, etc. Is this how we assimilate? I think not.
I don't believe all Muslims are terrorists or suicide murderers. Most of them, I hope and pray, are gentle, law-abiding folks who just wish to be left to their own devices and allowed to worship in their own way. Fine by me. But they are conspicuously absent in their failure to help others less fortunate than themselves. Canada recently spent millions of dollars to retrieve a bunch of dual citizenship Lebanese from war torn Lebanon, only to see these same fools head back to that country when the fighting died down. How stupid is that? They should have been left to fend for themselves. Lebanon is a mainly Muslim country and these people came to Canada to escape the dictatorship they suffered over there. And they go back for more? Idiocy!
Other writers on this site will defend to the death their right to practice their faith and try to get you to believe their way is the right way. Everyone of every faith thinks their way is the right way. That doesn't make it right. Trying to shove it down your neighbour's throat makes it wrong. I may be Catholic, Lutheran or Anglican. You may be Jewish, Buddhist or Shinto. Why should we try to convert one another? Can't we just get along, help our fellow man when required and leave religion out of it? Apparently not. Some readers here take things all too seriously (themselves) and revert to name calling and foul language, as if that will make their point for them.
It's silly and childish, but considering the sources, you can't expect much better from these juveniles. As I've said above, the battles against prejudice and bigotry are far from over. But we can all at least try to come to some sort of agreement that we can do better and try to understand one another. And the Muslims can start by showing some faith in the system that affords them freedoms and roghts they never had in whatever country they escaped from.
Opinions of a curmudgeon
Political Certainty
Add to my concerns is the reluctance of many immigrants, especially Hispanic, to adapt to the common culture and learn English. i past times, and with past immigrants, the primary desire was to become Americans, to assimilate without losing our heritage. I do not want an "official" language, mostly because I do not know what that phrase means, but I would like all newcomers to this country to understand a diverse and pluralistic society.
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
I've said it before and I'll say it again...assimilate or go back to your own damned country!!!
Did you hear about the Muslim taxi cab drivers at JFK International demanding foot baths and prayer time before carrying any pasengers!?
Outrageous!
Both my parents came to this country from Europe via Ellis Island in NYC...My Mother was a British immigrant and my Father was an Irish immigrant...
Now of course my Mother spoke perfect English, but my Father has to learn to speak "proper" English instead of Gaelic...
Know what they both did the second they got here? Took history classes, got jobs, and got their citizenship papers!!!
Now my Father was a Protestant and my Mother was a Catholic, there was no IRA here, and no one was handing out money to people who weren't willing to work for it!
They came to this country with exactly $29 dollars between them, and still managed to get jobs, a house and pay taxes just like everybody else!
And, they flew Old Glory right outside on the front of the house from the second they got here...They also fought in evewry war that came along, defending their country, America!
So if you can't assimilate, go the fuck back home!
Nuff said! Great post!
Take care buddy,
Nick
youranter
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opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
Remember, keep your stick on the ice, buddy.