Ways to Come Together

A few days ago, I received a call from an old friend. “How does it feel to be Italian again?” he asked. “Hey, paisan , how you doin’?” I asked back. We both laughed, but neither of us was happy.

We became Italian during the Iran hostage crisis. We were only boys, yet even then we knew it was better to be 12-year-old Italian Americans than 12-year-old Arab Americans. Racists are very indiscriminate--boys, girls, men and women are all appealing targets.

Our crime remains the same: We are descendants of Middle Eastern ancestors. As crimes go, this one doesn’t seem so egregious.

Granted, we Arab Americans were late arrivals to this land of opportunity. We missed the enslavement of Africans and the slaughter of Native Americans. We did not steal from Mexicans, exploit Chinese, intern Japanese or exclude Jews. In those respects we are decidedly un-American. But in all other respects, we are the embodiment of America.

Our ancestors came here yearning to breathe free. The oppressiveness they escaped is now well known. Yet, aside from the Sept. 11 victims themselves and their families and friends, no one is suffering more from the recent attacks than we Arab Americans. We are being terrorized--harassed, threatened and murdered. We are denied access to transportation. We are scrutinized and muttered about. Even people who look Middle Eastern or associate with us are targeted, all in a twisted sense of patriotism that is no more patriotic than slavery, racism or terrorism.

Today, as I have for over two years, I will proudly represent the U.S. as a federal prosecutor. Many others whose ancestry is their only crime will continue their loyal service in police and fire departments throughout the nation, in the FBI, CIA and every other federal law enforcement agency and in every branch of the military. Still, in the melting pot, we are condemned not to melt.

Jason Adeeb Forge

Los Angeles

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In view of the type of world in which we live, schools in California--as well as the nation--should make studies of the world’s religions a standard course for fifth-or sixth-grade pupils. Such a course would deal objectively with the various religions as to their teachings and beliefs without attempting to indoctrinate young people. Such a course would help youngsters to understand, rather than to distrust, religions--and youth is a good time to cultivate understanding. The most interesting and informative course--while taking those that helped me earn three degrees at the University of Southern California--was the one I took in world religions.

Spencer Crump

Corona del Mar

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While I can readily support John J. Thatamanil’s position that God is “not at our disposal” (Commentary, Sept. 25), I am thoroughly tired of the continuing assumption that the Judeo-Christian version of “God” is an entity to whom all of us in America naturally turn, in our times of crisis, and that God is endowed with human attributes. At least Thatamanil had the good sense not to refer to God as “he,” except in his biblical reference.

There are those of us who do not readily accept either of those premises and who find it difficult to envision the “very bringing about of God’s kingdom,” implying that somehow everyone will be assimilated into a group whose views we do not share. Confucius, for example, held to a very workable philosophy of li , or propriety, that included respect for all people while habituating virtue and the Golden Rule, in order to become “truly human.” Taoism asks that we live in accord with nature and the Tao as our moral undergirding. And a Buddhist would vow, as Thich Nhat Hanh so eloquently writes, “to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”

Morality, justice and peace are certainly not limited to Christians and Jews, and the idea of “God” or transcendence is certainly not confined to the Bible. I have had to find my own peace during this awful conflict, and it has been either hardly acknowledged or it has been absorbed into the Judeo-Christian view of “God’s” opinion regarding justice and morality. Isn’t there a more inclusive way to come together as a nation?

Rebecca S. Hertsgaard

Anaheim Hills

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During the month of Ramadan in Muslim countries, it has long been the custom for non-Muslims to prepare special evening meals for Muslims who have been fasting during the daylight hours. This year, Ramadan should begin approximately on Nov. 17 and run for about a month. Sometimes non-Muslim neighbors will relieve their Muslim friends of the need to prepare the evening meal after the day’s fast. Or restaurants operated by non-Muslims will offer special menus for their Muslim clients, served just after the fast is broken for the day.

Why not practice this tradition here in Los Angeles and in other cities with large Muslim populations, as a show of loyalty and concern for our Muslim brothers and sisters? The tradition could be enacted on a person-to-person basis, or through the restaurant community, or even through the churches, synagogues and temples.

Let’s all demonstrate the real spirit of American humanity, hospitality and tolerance to the whole world and help make our nation whole.

Ivan Strenski

Chair, Religious Studies

UC Riverside

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Al Qaeda instructions to its terrorists: “Leave the Koran and prayer books behind” (“Life Inside Al Qaeda: A Destructive Devotion,” Sept. 24). The hijackers and their abettors did that, all right; they left the Koran far, far behind--so far that they could not even remember its lessons.

Paul Cooley

Culver City