Burning Brighter

Over the past few weeks, hate has revealed itself in our country once again.  Thanks to prospective plans to build a new mosque near Ground Zero, a surprisingly large number of Americans have lashed out against this mosque and faith.

Regardless of how many years have passed since 9/11, the pain of such a shocking attack has yet to dissipate, as expected. That anger is absolutely understood and something most Americans are still working through.

However, for some, so much of that anger has justified itself as misdirected hate. With clear minds and steadfast allegiance, many have gathered their hate and directed it point blank at the Islamic faith.

(Picture posted via @marksborden. )

Over this morning’s breakfast, I watched CNN report about a church in Gainsville, right in this sunny little state of mine not too far from here. In response to recent events, it seems their congregation has plans to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11.

My cereal spoon paused in mid-bite.

…..!!!

…What?!?!!!!!

It all feels so outlandish, so something out of some insane movie, some “The Day After” , “1984″, “Lord of the Flies” film that shows what happens to humans when we don’t keep ourselves in check. Something that should scare some sense into us but nothing that is actually happening. Because, wow, it would be pretty out of hand if our rational, sane, educated, equality-loving country ever got to the point where they would aim a missile at a mosque.

We’re at that point.

And during their news story this morning, CNN shared a quick clip from this recently created PSA to encourage awareness about the Islamic faith. It’s good. You should watch it here.

But I will tell you right now that it breaks my heart that we even have to have something like this. That a group of people paid to make a commercial to say “We are like you. We don’t want to hurt you. We are ok. No really, we are.”

I’m out of my mind about this.

(And here’s where I take a quick left turn and go on a little sidebar rant… Come along and listen, why don’t you.)

Apart from the outrageous, somehow accepted, hateful behavior being promoted and encouraged by various politicians, churches and everyday Americans, do you know who I blame this on?

I blame whoever the hell can’t get their act together to build the United States a place to mourn 9/11. I wonder how out of hand this ever would have gotten if Ground Zero was no longer just a hole – but an appropriate memorial where we could go, pay our respects and glean some small ounce of closure, peace or healing. But there is nothing there. Just an angry, raw construction site too massive to fill. An empty, unproductive space with memories so horrendous, no one knows what we could put in in its place to do all of it any justice.

Angry side bar done. Filling the hole clearly isn’t happening anytime soon, that’s clear. But a missile is currently being pointed at a small building where a mosque might be built. THAT is something that we can fix.

Missiles, leers, burning Qurans, bigotry, hateful protests. We are as a nation, as human beings, better than this.

So back to that church in Gainsville. My friend Maria wrote an important post about that church and its plans to burn the Quran in a few days. If you are wondering what you can do to promote peace right now, read her post. And join her initiative aptly named #loveburnsbrighter.

Because it does.