The world is trying to mentally and physically recover from the horrific shootings in Paris. People are trying to overcome their fear and the intense emotional response. As a Canadian and from immigrant grandparents on both sides(Iceland, England, Scotland), the attack of a Muslim woman yesterday shows a lack of awareness and knowledge of extremism belief and the perception on who is considered a terrorist.
“Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook says police were called at 3 p.m. to an area near Grenoble Public School after a woman on her way to pick up her son said she was assaulted by individuals who allegedly hurled racial slurs at her.”
The actions of a few extremists must not paint a broad brush of blame on the entire Muslim community or any other community. Many of the victims in the Paris attack were young Muslims. The objective of the terrorist was to kill as many people as possible and I don’t think they checked passports.
“The woman’s brother, who gave his name as Owais, spoke to 680 News about the attack near Don Mills and Eglinton. His sister said two white men in their thirties approached her from behind. One pulled her scarf, causing her to fall, while the other moved in front of her, punching her in the stomach and face.On the ground, she pleaded for him to stop. He hit her multiple times, calling her a terrorist and saying, “You don’t belong here, you piece of s—. Go back.” ”
What is the message her young children and others, will have imprinted on their memory? Is it of love, peace and acceptance? What is the message and how do we as Canadians want the world to view us? Ignorance, hate and violence perpetuates ignorance, hate and violence.
“Douglas-Cook says the woman wore clothing commonly associated with the Muslim faith and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.Owais told the radio station the attack was shocking for the tight-knit community and traumatizing for his sister’s children who saw their mother being treated in an ambulance.”
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.
Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.”
– Martin Luther King Jr
Photo by Bruce Benson Flag of Humanity https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/flag-humanity-bruce-benson-the-flag-of-humanity https://vimeo.com/62215733
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/police-treating-alleged-assault-robbery-of-muslim-woman-near-school-on-monday-as-hate-crime