Fighting hate

This is not the chronicle I had intended to write, and this is not when I had intended to write it. I had planned to send a happy piece about New York penguins yesterday. I didn’t get around to it. I didn’t get around to much yesterday except for one task.

I made myself a promise on September 11. I would not ignore any hateful e-mail I received. I would respond to each immediately.

For several weeks after the attack, it was a major task. Then the hateful messages fell off. I had not received one in quite some time.

Yesterday I did.

First, someone distributed a Thomas Friedman column from The New York Times. The column noted that many Muslims believed in strange conspiracy theories. I was on the distribution list.

Then another person on the list sent this to all of us in response:

“It is time to consider using nuclear, biological and chemical weapons on ALL of the Muslim countries in the middle east who are not with us

…

Since we cannot win them over with facts …

And they will continue to give aid and comfort to the terrorists … We should come to the realization that we have to…. KILL THEM ALL … When I suggested that back on Sept 12th …

Everyone thought I was nuts ….

When you are dealing with ignorant backward people with an ignorant backward religion … you are left few choices … ”

I responded to his message. He responded to my response. I responded to his, and so on. I didn’t get a lot done yesterday — or the early part of today. I also had to deal with the responses of others on the list, one of whom called the above paragraph “eloquent.”

Afghanistan, I pointed out, met the writer’s criteria for devastation a few months ago and now doesn’t (they’re now “with us”), even though the same 28 million people still live there. His response was a screed against all New Yorkers, somehow invoking Hillary Rodham Clinton.

It’s exhausting. But if my responses get even one person to think a little longer and a little more carefully before advocating violence, I will be thrilled. Even if I don’t get that victory, at least I let these writers know that their views are not universally shared.

TTFN,

Mark