49. Is Hate Ever A Good Thing?

Don't worry, I don't have an answer to the title question, and I'm not going to add to all the rhetoric that we are confronted with by all the news media, day in and day out. I do, however, want each one of us to remain focused on what makes sense and what doesn't, in order to not be over-whelmed by this tidal wave of emotion sweeping across our country, to the point of causing paralysis in our psyches.

We are all still getting over the shock of the September 11 terrorist attacks on our nation and on our sense of well being. In getting over the shock we are trying to grasp for some understanding. Over and over we hear the same questions, "Why do they hate us so much?" and "How can they commit such atrocities in the name of God?"

First, I feel it is of utmost importance that we define who "They" are. Fingers are pointing directly at a few individuals, of a certain ethnicity, of a certain religion, of certain regions, who do NOT speak for anyone but themselves. It is crucial, in our understanding, to NOT condemn a country or a religion as a whole... as our leaders keep trying to point out, but personal attacks on Arab-looking innocents by Americans continue to take place.

I bring this subject up after viewing a documentary on CNN last Sunday, called "Beneath The Veil," by filmmaker Saira Shah. Shah was born in England of an Afghani father and an Indian mother, hired by an English television station to make the film in October 2000. The documentary gives an unflinching view of what life is truly like in Afghanistan. Anyone questioning who "they" are must see this amazing look at the total oppression of the Afghani people by the Taliban, the ruling government which dictates religious beliefs.

You'll have to see the documentary yourself to make your own judgments. Just keep in mind how many Afghani women barely exist. They are not allowed to hold jobs or to receive an education. The streets of Afghanistan are filled with women and children, left bereft, without husbands, parents, begging for food. Executions by hanging, or being shot in the head can take place for such things as just wearing make-up or being caught trying to teach young girls how to read in secret.

Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, is nothing but a pile of rubble, shocking and unbelievable. Playing music is even against the Taliban law. One's heart goes out to the Afghani people as a whole. And, yes, it is difficult to not judge the Taliban as evil for their directives toward women, let alone against our American way of life, yet, where does the evil actually begin? Is it wrong to be passionate about one's religious beliefs?

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