Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
September 19, 2001
Arab Americans are Americans, too
Church official cautions against `guilt by association'
By Bill Beckman
In the wake of the most horrible day in U.S. history, all Americans grapple with a range of deep emotions - fear, anguish, compassion, sorrow, grief, anger and more. From this maelstrom of emotions millions of Americans have asked, "What can I do to help?" They have responded with magnanimity and heroism. But a few, filled with anger and fear, have vented their rage upon Arab Americans. This is wrong.
It is certainly legitimate to desire that the perpetrators and masterminds of these diabolical acts be pursued and punished and that all terrorists be stopped cold. But that is far different from treating Arab Americans with contempt and violence because of their ethnic or religious similarity to a few irrational terrorists. Let us replace guilt by association and false accusations with recognition that the victims of the horrors in Manhattan include Arab American firefighters and police, business people and office workers.
Arab Americans are part of the marvelously diverse citizenry of these United States. They serve in the military and work in governments, factories, financial institutions and shops. They teach school, fight fires and police our streets. They bandage our wounds and cure our diseases. They are teammates, classmates and compatriots. And whether devout Muslims or Christians, they love their families and work hard for a better life. They are we, and we are all Americans.
From the midst of this tragedy, peace will come, but only if we hear and heed the words of Jesus. He answered the question, "Who is my neighbor?" with the parable of the Good Samaritan and with his death and resurrection.
Jesus called us to follow him with a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you." He made no exceptions.
Bill Beckman is ecumenical and inter-religious officer for the Archdiocese of Denver.
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