As a kid growing up in subsidized housing in Ottawa I had exactly 3 muslim friends. One Pakistani and 2 brothers from Iran. All of them schoolmates and all of us had similar interests. G.I Joes, dungeons and dragons, British bulldog, kick the can, capture the flag, basketball. The only differences i was ever aware of was their refusal to eat pork. The only reason I was even aware if this was because my British father found it amusing to offer them meals made with pork whenever they visited. The only other difference in retrospect is that they were perhaps more peaceable than many of the other underprivileged youth in the neighborhood, perhaps because it was the kind of place you tried to avoid making yourself a target. My childhood was drowned in violence. Getting to and from school unscathed was sometimes a strategic undertaking. The most violent kids in the neighborhood were the ones who were themselves victims of violence. Many of us myself included, were treated unjustly by the police, banking and educational institutions simply because of our postal code. I was fortunate enough to find opportunity in my life to see past the anger and injustice and to find healing and meaning in a life that didnt include violence. Not all young men are as fortunate. If the only power you ever give to someone, is that you fear them, they will embrace that. Reach out to young men in your community and empower them to do good. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:33:55 +0000
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