ideas, trends, and open dialogue
be younonymous
Beyounonymous is an account where people in the BU community can feel free to post to Culture Shock anonymously. The purpose of this is to allow people to talk as freely as possible, particularly when the issue may be sensitive or difficult to discuss.
Posts by be younonymous
Thoughts on the “Ground Zero Mosque”
Aug 23rd
Welcome to a series from Culture Shock, Be Younonymous. Here, anonymous members of the BU community contribute their stories from campus life and beyond under the condition of complete secrecy. Have a story? e-mail it to Beyounonymous@bucultureshock.com . We’ll take it to our servers’ graves.
The controversy surrounding the “Ground Zero Mosque” has been receiving a great deal of media attention this summer, especially in New York City. Being a New Yorker, it has been literally impossible to avoid seeing coverage of it on television, in the papers, and on the internet. I thought I would share some of my personal reflections on the heated debate that has ignited around this issue (this would be a good time to take a moment and catch up on the issue. I recommend the articles written by Time Magazine and the New York Times.)
It seems like the criticism of this proposed cultural center is founded on the politicization of a number of things that should, for the sake of the families of the victims murdered on 9/11, never be subject to it. A review of the articles written by critics of the center, as well as interviews given by them, gives me this basic idea of their claim: The idea of building a mosque near Ground Zero is an insult to the memory of what occurred there, and to the families of those murdered there, because it will espouse the very ideology that caused the tragic attacks. Given the politicized nature of the statement, it needs to be looked at in piecemeal.
Firstly, the critics of the mosque, and by critics I mean those politicians and organizations that have taken up a side in this debate that they hope will further their aims, are very particular about using the term “mosque.” The basic definition of a mosque is simple: it is a place of prayer for Muslims, an Islamic church, if you will. Unfortunately, the vocal opponents of the Cordoba Center are using the word in such a way that one gets the feeling they want you to hear “headquarters” or “attack planning center.” This association is viciously crafted to fear-monger, and belies the reality of both the Cordoba Center and what a mosque is. A cursory look through the articles on the matter will show that the planned center will be a multi-story community meeting place with a swimming pool, art galleries, libraries, and office rooms from which to coordinate events and outreach. Of course, as an Islamic center, it will also include an area for Muslims to pray. So calling it a “mosque,” with the meaning intended by the critics (that meaning being: dingy basement somewhere in the dark recesses of the city where the next 9/11 is being plotted), is simply incorrect. What is more disappointing, in my opinion, is that the reality of a mosque has been smeared by this debate. Mosques have always been beautiful places for the community, as can be attested to by the many amazing mosques spread throughout the Muslim world, and their history. So maybe the Cordoba Center can be considered a mosque, but only when one knows what a mosque really is. Unfortunately, some want to use the fact that mosques were involved in planning an attack by fringe extremists to inform the public’s idea of mosques in general.
The second point to delve into is the idea that, by being a place that will allow others to learn about Islam, this center is desecrating Ground Zero, since Islam is the ideology that caused the attacks. Again, one can see a clearly particular and politically motivated usage of terminology here. A few media sources have already pointed out the fact that there are stores that sell pornography in the area, yet this does not seem to have been considered a “desecration.” But the specific issue here, as is clear from the words of the opponents, is the teaching of Islam at this center. Islamophobia, the baseless fear and suspicion of anything having to do with Islam and Muslims (a good article on the topic written by Georgetown University professor John Esposito can be read here), has blurred the vision of these critics, who can no longer distinguish between the rhetoric of a small cabal of extremists and militants, and the attempts being made by the majority of mainstream Muslims to propagate a purified understanding of their religion. No one can undo the association of terrorism with Islam; the terrorists, aided by aspects of our media, have made it impossible. But one can appreciate and benefit from places where Islam’s mainstream understanding is taught, standing opposed to the skewed interpretations of militants (see Time’s profile of the imam behind the project). Is this not, then, an honor to Ground Zero? The presence of a place that will engender understanding and push for interfaith dialogue and friendship, so close to the location of a tragedy brought about by the exact opposite of those ideals, should be welcomed. Many have understood this point and thrown their support behind the Cordoba Center, including New York City’s mayor Michael Bloomberg and Massachusetts’s governor Deval Patrick.
The final, and in my opinion most abhorrent, aspect of this issue is the politicization of the grieving 9/11 families themselves. Their pain is something only they really understand, and they deserve our compassion and respect. Know that the families that lost loved ones on September 11th are not the people being addressed in this piece. This is a discussion of the underhanded propagandizing that is being carried out by politicians that stir the grief of these families to their own ends. And even in this stirring of their grief, one can see a clear politically motivated selectiveness. A couple simple questions arise: what of the Muslims that lost loved ones? How do they feel seeing their religion run into the ground as it tries to fend off the militancy and extremism that killed their own? This use of grieving families, in my opinion, is the worst thing to come out of this entire debate.
I believe I’ve made my opinion clear. I welcome the Cordoba Center, and anxiously look forward to its completion. I hope that it will act as a conduit through which followers of all religions, ideologies, and philosophies will be able to meet and interact in a constructive way. I also view it as one of the few legitimate strikes against terrorism to be made since the beginning of the global “War on Terror.” Terrorism is an ideology, and can only be defeated on the battlefield of ideologies, our minds and hearts. In that light, this center is a more fitting redemption for the lives lost on that tragic day than any military action.
Be Younonymous: A Latino in Dresden
Aug 17th
It’s one thing, as a Latino in the United States, to be aware of your race as a function of those around you. You may act or feel differently with white, African American or Asian friends than you do with your fellow Latino’s. To some extent, you are used to it in your home and places you are familiar with, and maybe it doesn’t bother you as much as you thought it did.
It’s an entirely different situation, as a Latino in Europe, than what you are used to. Even a step beyond Europe, a Latino in Germany, but not just Germany but Eastern Germany, studying abroad and one of the two minorities in your group. This was my experience a few years ago, as walking through the streets of Dresden I was always cognizant that I stood out.
While we were prepared for the Culture Shock associated with living abroad before going to Dresden, there were some aspects of the society that there was no preparation for. While the main campus of TU Dresden and the dormitory were definitely safe, particularly since we were in the international dormitory, there were certain areas of the city I would not enter at night or alone. I’m a Boston native, and while there are racists everywhere I was never, ever exposed to skinheads. I use this term lightly as I do not want to step on any toes, but if you’ve seen American History X or a similar movie and imagining leather clad, stud wearing bald people covered in tattoos (some of which, yes, were swastikas) you would not be far off. Generally, we were very safe, but there is one story I want to tell, about the morning of my flight out of Germany, that exemplified how I felt.
I wake up at five in the morning and walk downstairs to the cab. Still groggy, I put my bags in the trunk and get into the back of the cab, never giving the cabby a thought. I was used to the mostly tattooed individuals of the Dresden cab service and never had a problem before. Speaking good English, he asks me where I’m from and I tell him America, and then he gets serious. The cabby starts going off on the United States, saying things like “How can a good White Nation elect a black man like Obama to be president” or “Why has America not been able to exterminate the Mexican’s from their population.” All I can think is, “Please don’t ask me my nationality, please don’t ask me my nationality, please don’t notice I’m not white” and so on. I made it to the airport safely, but was terrified beyond any belief. I was truly thankful I made it there alive.
There is only so much preparation anyone can have for nut jobs. Honestly, Germany wasn’t all that bad. I would never go back to Dresden, but the experience helped me grow. More than moving to school, more than anything else I’ve ever accomplished or not accomplished, being in Dresden put me entirely out of my element. Never before had I been that cognizant of how sad certain areas of the developed world were, how democracy and freedom without the social awareness leaves people with their old values and not new ones. (Dresden was formerly part of Eastern Germany, most of the natives are the first generation born after the wall fell. Beyond this point, Dresden was home to the largest Neo Nazi demonstration since World War II) Racism in general is difficult to deal with. I guess, at the end of the day, what doesn’t hurt you makes you stronger.
Be Younonymous: I’m Getting Married.
Jul 23rd
Welcome to a new series from Culture Shock, Be Younonymous. Here, anonymous members of the BU community contribute their stories from campus life and beyond under the condition of complete secrecy. Have a story? e-mail it to Beyounonymous@bucultureshock.com . We’ll take it to our servers’ graves.
I’m marrying my boyfriend so that his military benefits will help get me through my last year at Boston University. I never thought I’d have to take the drastic measure of getting married just to finish college. When you’re a kid you look at the world in these black and white terms: go to college, study hard, have fun, graduate, get a great job, live a happy life. You don’t think of how a simple lack of money could keep you from your dreams.
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