After reading some blogs about the location of the Ground Zero Mosque, I decided to write what I think about its location and the controversy surrounding it. One blog post in particular got me really thinking. It was a post made by a man named Foster Kamer titled, Dear Rest-of-America: Take This Map, It's Why You're Wrong About the "Ground Zero Mosque."
In his post, Kamer uploaded a map of Ground Zero and some of the establishments in close proximity. He also posted some pictures another blogger took of stores and restaurants really close to the proposed mosque's site. Some of these buildings include a Burger King, a Gentleman's Club, an Offtrack Betting Place, and a Dunkin' Donuts. Even though I think that this blogger could have made his brilliant point in a more respectable manner (his language was a little crude in my opinion), Kamer raises a good point. We let a Gentleman's club and greasy fast food joints clutter the area surrounding Ground Zero, but we fight about a place of culture and religious worship.
It saddens me that nobody makes a fuss about a Gentleman's Club being so close to Ground Zero. I find it way more disrespectful that women sell their self-respect for money so close to a place where American values should be held to their highest standards.
Also, according to Henry Blodget's article, there was a Muslim prayer room on the 17th floor of the World Trade Center. The fact that there was a Muslim prayer room in the World Trade Center shows just how much this tragedy affected every American no matter what their race or religion may be. As Blodget reminds us,"On September 11th, 2001, when a handful of terrorists flew planes into the towers, some of the folks who used the room evacuated in time. Others probably didn't."
Also if the World Trade Center promoted religious diveristy, why can't Ground Zero promote the same values? If we're really intent on keeping Ground Zero such a sacred and symbolic place, then we should focus more on promoting the equality and opportunity that lie in our country's foundation and less on our differences. Differences make the United States such a great place to live and learn from each other, and they shouldn't be used to alienate a religion that shares more similarities with Christianity than many people think.
Why even mince words? If the Muslim YMCA they're trying to build is a mosque, then said "gentleman's club" is a strip joint.
ReplyDeleteIt's not even an issue of equality from a civil rights standpoint, far as I'm concerned; it's first and foremost an issue of preventing someone with legitimate rights to a piece of property to pursue what he or she is entitled under the law. It amounts to mob intimidation no different from the burning of crosses on the lawns of black people in the early parts of the 20th century.
This whole fiasco would have been distinctly less newsworthy if it would not be an election year, in my opinion.
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteThough being blunt is not my strong point, the building in the picture I alluded to was called a "Gentleman's Club." That's the main reason I stuck with that word choice.
I agree that this debate is a matter of rights, but I really think it's a matter of equality too. Muslims are still looked at as terrorists by some people, and some believe that they do not deserve the same privileges that we have.
Whose platform in particular do you think this debate is helping for the upcoming election? I think that the debate really could help Republicans take seats back in Congress and potentially help them in the 2012 Presidential Election sadly.