By Zainab Susi
All around the world we have been watching and hearing about the terrible war in the Middle East. Recently in the Chicago area a 71 year-old man killed an innocent 6 year-old boy and wounded his mother in a hate crime. The family is Palestinian and Muslim. I’m reminded of the fear my family felt after 9/11 and the anti-Muslim sentiments then. There is never a justification for hate. Don’t forget to love your neighbor, and that love is always stronger.
We need to show support to each other and choose love over hate no matter where a person is from or their religious background. Don’t be afraid of each other, at the end we all want the same thing: a peaceful life and love. I really hope, wish, and I pray that our beautiful world turns around for the best so our next generation doesn’t have to pay the price for the previous generation’s mistakes.
The current events in Israel and Gaza reminds me of the 1947 India and Pakistan partition. I heard the horrible partition stories from my Amee (mother). Looking back my Amee, and their entire generation, was traumatized for the rest of their lives from what they experienced. Even to this day both sides have so much hate in their hearts and many people pass that hate on to their children.
When there is war, both sides suffer – and all of humanity is affected.
Martin Luther king Jr. said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
LIfe is beautiful!
