In this post.
I have multiple, multiple problems with Mr. John Applegate’s group, statements and the folks who joined this group.
But you’re going to say, “Phillygrrl, these kinds of groups exist in the zillions? Why is this particular group targeted for your disdain?” (And honestly, it’s ridiculous that I’m giving them free publicity. You know there were going to be all of five members before this post.)
I’ll tell you why. Because this was created by students from Eastern University. I have family who graduated from Eastern. I feel invested in this university. Especially since multiple Indian folks from my church have either graduated or intend to matriculate at Eastern University. It’s purported as a Christian university. Now I know the bad PR Christianity has been getting for the past 1000+ years. But I work very very hard to change the negative stereotypes surrounding Christians in modern-day America. If so-called Christian folks in the Philadelphia area want to have the discussion about immigrants, I say let’s have it. I’m incredibly proud of what the South Asian community has accomplished both here in Philadelphia and the rest of the world. What’s your problem with successful Indians like myself? Do tell me now. I don’t want my kids dealing with it later.
I was wrong. It’s not an Eastern problem. In fact, outside of the creator, there’s only one other member from Eastern. (Who’s African American, okay whatev?!) So Eastern alum, forgive me. I was rash. I was stupid. I reacted. I’m sorry. It’s apparent from the makeup of the group and groups like it that ignorance knows no boundaries. (Not sure how the girl with the Indian bf rationalizes this to herself, but like I said, whatever.)
So huge apology to all the Eastern alums that are mad at me. I’m sorry I dissed your school.
For my part, overreacting to this sort of crap is far better than not reacting at all, which is what most of us generally do. There is a link, or so it seems to me, between under reacting and the circulation of the e-mail I received this morning from someone who should know better, I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I didn’t know how else to submit it (my response to the person who sent this to me follows):
[READ THIS_____SO VERY TRUE!!!!!!!
America, Canada, all Europe.....need a President like this - Prime Minister John Howard Australia:
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians'.
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'. 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the
same truths. If you agree, please SEND THIS ON.]
…………………………………………………..
Dear _____
In fact I don’t agree with enough of this to pass it on. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there seems to be an inherent contradiction between the fourth and fifth paragraphs: “If God offends you…I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home,” and “We will accept your beliefs….”
I don’t believe in God, so I am concluding I wouldn’t be welcome in the land of wombats and Tasmanian Devils, but more importantly, I can’t help but wonder how close Australians are (assuming Howard represents the typical Australian, which is probably as fair as assuming that George Bush represented the typical American) to insisting that their notion of CHRISTIAN be added to their notion of God. Frankly, I am surprised that you are comfortable with any sort of theocracy (or theocratic subset) that supports exclusion, be it Christian, Islamic or Judaic.
Concurrently, I have always been, and will continue to be suspicious of any individual – or group – that implicitly defends their beliefs with the presumed sanctity of the words “OUR,” and “WE,” clearly because this tactic is thin regarding its intellectual (and I’m being kind, here by using the word intellectual) construction and has been implemented by a long line of dictators and fascists (including Nazis, and White Supremacists) who prefer intimidation over conformity to rule of law, or even to basic justness or fairness.
Now, that being said, do I disagree with some of the specific perspectives voiced by the Prime Minister? Of course not; I am just as much an American as the next guy (or girl) and I want to see anyone who would do harm to my country rooted out and punished to the severest limit of the law, but I am not prepared to identify anyone whose differences from me are based solely on cultural mores, or religious beliefs (ie., someone, who as opposed to me, does believe in a deity) – so long as those mores and beliefs are not aligned with an ideology that supports the death of my country – as that person, or those people.
Frankly, right now, I am more concerned with the kind of corruption or moral decay or terrorism (demonstrated by the slimy equivalent of a Bernie Madoff) that have caused the pensions and/or life’s savings of so many people – including mine – to be disassembled.
Admittedly, I haven’t had a chance to really look this over and I’m certain there may be some structural weaknesses in my response (s) to your position on this (these) matter (s). But I – apparently unlike the Australian Prime Minister (who bares a frightening resemblance to Dick Cheney, by the way) – welcome further open discussion on the subject.
Doug
Holy crap, Doug! For crying out loud, be a guest blogger like I’ve been suggesting!
xoxoxoxoxo
In the interests of objectivity you may wish to check out what SNOPES and/or HOAX-SLAYER have on this e-mail.
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/howard-muslim-speech.shtml…http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/australia.asp
These provide some level of qualification for the e-mail, but not enough for me to believe that the then Prime Minister should be let off the hook.
More important to me, though, is knowing that anyone who “passed this e-mail on” – including my friend who should know better – did so believing it was true, and it’s very unsettling to realize what this says about those people.
“For my part, overreacting to this sort of crap is far better than not reacting at all, which is what most of us generally do. ”
I tend to follow this rule, but on the other hand, I don’t want to taint the reputation of an organization, etc that doesn’t really deserve it. If the fb group was filled with hundreds of Eastern Univ. students, eh. But since it’s mostly Jersey kids, I’ll let Eastern off the hook for this one…..
Are you sure you want to publicly diss the children of the Sopranos?