One of the deterrents to peace is mindless adherence to prejudice. The case of Maher Arar -- the Canadian citizen who was stopped at JFK airport, sent to Syria to be tortured and later found to be completely innocent--demonstrates the bias we have toward people from Middle Eastern backgrounds. This particular bias fuels anti-USAmerican sentiments and thus increases instability among people around the world caught in the rhetorics of war on terrorism. In many ways the question can legitimately posed--who is the real terrorist when innocent people from Middle Eastern backgrounds cannot safely travel within USAmerican borders?
Increasingly the need for peace grows greater. In this blog, I hope to cull readings and activities which may lead to peace. First and foremost, knowing and understanding people from different backgrounds, in my opinion, will lead us to a willingness to avoid war and work for peace in this world.
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