Acculturation
This topic that I am presenting today is something that I preferred to stay away from. I enjoy writing about local issues because there is a need to inform the public about those subjects and it is not my intention getting into international affairs or national politics with these comments.
Through history, this country has been called “a melting pot” because of the variety of nationalities, races and languages that have made it their home. The emphasis was always on learning English and becoming a citizen. The beauty of this country was that we could work together and have the freedoms most of us were looking for upon coming here. Churches were not recognized by their names but according to the nationality of its parishioners although it was not done with ill intent. We were free to worship in any language without imposing on anyone and no one interfered with us. While my family was Catholic and all the sacraments took place in the Spanish church, my brother attended the Polish school. It was close to our home and we were welcome. Later on, my own children went to the French school.
But in the last half-century, attitudes have changed and not for the better. People get easily offended and sometimes we don’t feel safe even in church. Tolerance is the word of the day but few people practice it.
My motivation to write about this was reading an article about a comment made by CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota suggesting that “Americans should wear hijabs to show solidarity with Muslim women who fear being attacked for wearing the religious head covering. Maybe there will be a movement where people wear the head scarf in solidarity. You know, even if you’re not Muslim.”
I will not be disrespectful to the point of suggesting that any Muslim woman who feels threatened should just stop wearing it. Asking us to change our ways to accommodate someone for such a reason is an infringement on our freedom and an unacceptable change in this country’s culture.
She said that they live in fear of being verbally or physically attacked for wearing head scarves. While there have been alleged incidents in which Muslim women have been targeted for wearing hijabs showing solidarity in that way is not going to eliminate the danger – if there’s one.
Through the years I have met people from all over the world but I never bothered asking about their religious affiliation and only recently found out that some them are Muslims. It has made no difference to me and I don’t feel obligated to show solidarity in any way.
Ms. Camerota’s idea is outrageous!
Prepare for another election year
Now, back to my favorite topic!
I really dread the thought of another campaign, candidates, press releases, criticisms, etc. but we have to deal with that animal.
This year has not ended and rumors of who’s running for what position are being heard. Oh, what a year!
Mayor Daniel Rivera will be going for his reelection and I think I counted 11 names of potential contenders for his job. We know that many of them won’t do anything; they just like to hear their names being thrown around, feeling important.
In the meantime, everything the mayor does in the next 11 months will be considered “a campaign move” taking merit away from his actions. The ones deserving of keeping an eye on them are the city councilors. Some have baggage of their own and don’t belong on the City Council. When a city councilor begins showing signs of getting something in return not only campaign contributions but special favors from department heads or businesses in the community, it’s time for a change.
And you know who you are!
