I have just become aware — rather late — that some armed, “patriotic” groups in this country were calling for anti-Islam/anti-Muslim demonstrations last weekend, October 9-10. As far as I know, the Bitterroot Valley does not include a mosque, the Muslim place of worship, but we may have Muslims among us and I hope they feel safe here.
Not so long ago on this page, mention of the Confederate flag as a racist symbol moved a reader to exclaim that there are no Confederate flags in the Valley, at least not as bumper stickers. The same reader may think it is stirring up trouble to mention that there may be Muslims among us, because if we don’t know, then we can’t question them.
But in my experience life doesn’t work that way. If minorities are most comfortable basically hiding in the shadows, they are neither safe nor equal. And my understanding is that this country in particular is supposed to be about individual safety and equality.
So please can we be aware of the people around us and care about them, and be interested in our differences instead of afraid of them. Talking about our different perspectives can lead to mutual understanding. Guaranteed, all of us just want to feel safe and respected.
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas
Hamilton
Mike in Stevensville says
So nice you’re concerned for muslims.
News Flash! They don’t give a camel dung about us, even less for you as a woman. Take a look to France and England, heck, even Detroit, and see what the muslims are calling for against their adopted lands. Oh, remember the innocent woman who was beheaded earlier this in Ohio?
Wake up.