Information high road: Fight hatred with facts
THE most elemental research will tell you that besides faith in one God, Sikhism teaches the equality of all human beings, regardless of creed, gender or race.
Tragically, it appears the man who took his own life after massacring six Sikhs at a temple in suburban Milwaukee last Sunday was convinced, instead, of the inherent superiority of whites. The motives of gunman Wade Michael Page may never be clear, but his Internet postings and skinhead associations provide powerful clues to his belief system — that the white race is under siege and that violent action must be taken to preserve its future.
How much the killer knew about Sikhs per se is unknown. It’s probably safe to assume he lumped them in with all non-whites. Sadly, Sikhs are no strangers to blanket prejudice. In post-9-11 America, they are all too often mistaken for Muslims who are more commonly — and wrongly —perceived as a general threat, although Islam is no more monolithic than Christianity.
In Canada, where Sikhs are a more familiar sight because their community is proportionally so much larger than in the U.S., we should not make the mistake of believing we are above such ignorance or immune to ideologically inspired violence.
Hatred is an international franchise, and you can pick your poison on the Internet. Whether you are drawn in by neo-Nazi venom, partial to al-Qaida-style jihad against Westerners or Jews, or a rabid nationalist whose heart’s desire is an independent homeland for your people, there is no shortage of online content to help you confirm and ultimately consummate your deepest prejudices. If a rogue in a rage can kill 77 people in Norway — in some absurd self-appointed mission to prevent an Islamic takeover — then the same could surely happen in Canada.
There is no real antidote to the kind of full-blown hatred the world witnessed last week in Wisconsin. But we can, as a society, get out of our comfort zone of tolerance. It is all well and good to harbour no ill will toward the minorities who dot the Canadian mosaic. But it does no one any good to be ill-informed about their customs, beliefs and contributions. This is where the Internet can be a force for good. The next time you hear what sounds like slander against a religious or ethnic group, look up the facts. It’s never been easier or more elemental.
Haters gotta hate
Submitted by Selina on August 10, 2012 - 7:53am.
Unfortunately, some people can only build themselves up by tearing others down.
Ironically, a lot of people hate a hater.
Submitted by hav2b on August 10, 2012 - 9:06am.
Much like the way many people are utterly intolerant of a bigot for his differing creed, belief, or opinion.
Well said !
Submitted by beejay on August 10, 2012 - 8:53am.
A good editorial, and hopefully it never comes to this in Canada, although we are not immune from hatred.
PREACHING TO THE CONVERTED?
Submitted by dennis.cato on August 10, 2012 - 9:11am.
"There is no real antidote to the full-blown hatred the world witnessed last week in Wisconsin." (The Editor)
In response to the fact that there is indeed no real antidote to the shooting by Wayne Michael Page in Wisconsin the Editor oddly suggests that tolerance is not enough. We must be well-informed about the minorities which dot the Canadian mosaic, he maintains, and the Internet will help us to become familiar with their beliefs, customs and contributions. "Look up the facts," he admonishes us.
Well perhaps, but one does have trouble picturing Wayne Michael Page googling the minorities to learn about their beliefs, customs and contributions. It would appear that the Editor is preaching only to the converted.
Is Sikhism the religion...
Submitted by shawnino on August 10, 2012 - 9:30am.
...where the men are required as an article of faith to carry (usually concealed) daggers?
Ah.
I'm all for religious freedom, but please don't try and sell me a bill of goods that Sikhism is a religion of peace. I heard the same thing about Islam after 9/11.
ANY RATIONAL EXPLANATION?
Submitted by dennis.cato on August 10, 2012 - 11:11am.
So you equate the ceremonial Sikh dagger, often worn by boys, with Islam after 9/11 which, of course, in your view, then ceases to be a religion of peace? Any rational explanation? No, I didn't think so.
As Martin Luther King said
Submitted by daveburris on August 10, 2012 - 9:41am.
... we should not judge others by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. It seems to take a while to sink in.
The editor may be right about Muslims, in general, "Muslims who are more commonly — and wrongly —perceived as a general threat.."
I have no idea of the actual stats but my guess is that the great majority of Muslims would like to live in peace, but then there is a significant minority whose way is the way of jihad. And that Muslim minority is far more significant than any Christian minority, or Sikh minority, or any other religious minority either. Attempting to evade that issue does no one any favours.
"In post-9-11 America, they
Submitted by CoyoteII on August 10, 2012 - 10:47am.
"In post-9-11 America, they are all too often mistaken for Muslims who are more commonly — and wrongly —perceived as a general threat, although Islam is no more monolithic than Christianity."
Next thing we know you will be telling us Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, and respect for women (insert sarcasm)!