No Place For Hate

Good People Asking For Normalcy

Stephen and Mona are people of the Muslim faith. They came to City Hall on December 7, 2015 to ask for a return to normalcy. They are saddened by the killings in San Bernardino, Paris, Beirut, and elsewhere.

The Worcester City government held a press conference to send message for tolerance and against mass murders and religious bullying. There were about a dozen city employees standing behind the speakers, Ms. Milner (Manager’s Committee Against Hate and Bias), Ms. Turchek ( Human Rights Commission), Manager Augustus, and Mayor Petty. They all said the right things and I hope something good comes from their efforts. There was a moment of silence for the murdered people of San Bernardino.

President Obama said much the same the night before in his talk from the Oval Office.  Like the Worcester City officials there was a sort of cynicism or fatigue in his words.

Stephen from the Islamic Center also spoke from the podium; however what he said after the press conference is more interesting. He was anxious to have his community be seen as any other community in the City. He invited us to come to the Mosques during prayers or to schedule a tour.  There are two Mosques in the City. The Mosque on East Mountain Street is associated with the Islamic Center and the Mosque on Laurel St. is associated with the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester. Stephen also said that there are no specific places for prayer and that Muslim go to either Mosque or sometimes both.

Mona is an administrator at the Islamic Center and married to Stephen. She spoke after the formalities about the fear faced by Muslims in this area.  Hate speech is common she said which has led to “minor” assaults such as bottles being thrown at the Mosques and some people nearly being run down in traffic.  Mona reported that many people call her after being the victim of hate speech, obscenities, or harassment.

Women especially, according to Mona sought out her advice on whether to stay at home or to go shopping or to send their make relatives instead. Women and children are most identifiable as Muslims because of their dress. Mona indicated that these more vulnerable are the usual victims of racial and religious harassment.

There are several Muslim umbrella groups in the area. The Center for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Justice are two. Ascentia (formerly Lutheran Refugees) is working with the Muslim organizations in the transition of refugees to life in Massachusetts.

Even though Stephen said that Mosques were working with Worcester Interface, I did not see anyone from Worcester Interface or any ministers or priests.

Sometime this week there will be a meeting between government officials and some of the leaders of the Muslim community to express their concerns in a more appropriate venue. I think we all learned a lesson from the Department of Justice hearings on this matter.

Although theirs is a plea for normalcy, recent events do not bode well for any of us. Mass killings are the new normal.  Syria has become the new Balkans. The war hawks, Know Nothings, and some Presidential candidates have new people to bully and harass.