Their camouflage may be effective in the other jungles of the world, but in our subways the young national guardsmen stand out like “aliens” from another planet. They stand quietly in the midst of the New York City rush hour, fingers on the triggers of enormous machine guns. No one dares complain, but how could these men possibly make us safer without killing everyone in the station?
In the post September 11th United States, we are expected to place our trust in such symbols of security. Buy an FBI sweatshirt, and fly the flag. Authoritarian regimes and marketing companies around the world all know the power of symbols. However, symbols can be read in different ways. The U.S. flag in the face of the statue of Saddam means different things to different people.
I was reminded of this at a recent anti-war rally. Three large and fearsome-looking Muslim ninjas dressed all in black were stationed in front of us speakers. To me it seemed a very militant image, inappropriate for a multicultural peace event. But a respected African American Imam insisted they were there for our security.
The imam then made another comment that highlighted cultural differences in perception. He suggested that such concern for appearances was “immigrant mentality.” Ouch. Well, this seems a good indication that all of us need to continue to work towards unity through understanding. This work will always be a challenge in a community as diverse as ours. But surely we need to feel each others’ troubles more deeply. Illusions of security will not make us safer if we are divided and fearful.
Many have reasons to be anxious. Across the nation the families of detainees face eviction from their homes. For some, it is because they are running out of money. But in Colorado, Sister Nirmeen’s husband has been released, but though she is a citizen, his social security number has been revoked and on that basis the landlord is trying to evict them. In New York, Sister Nina’s husband has just been detained at Registration. Again, he is married to a citizen; but because he has minor assault charges pending (which he is confident will be dismissed) he was jailed at registration. Clearly, Muslims are being considered guilty until proven innocent.
John Ashcroft is now asserting the authority to detain “illegal” immigrants indefinitely. His power continues to expand and questions about its limits multiply. For example, last Thursday a former detainee we know was re-arrested. His case has been very bizarre, ever since he was arrested at a traffic light in September 2001. He spent one year in miserable conditions at the MDC facility, mainly in isolation. Then he was released—without charges ever being brought. He tried to get his life back together, working in construction and renovation. He is hard working and entrepreneurial, a quiet classic American cowboy type. But he is Palestinian. So now he has been re-arrested—the policeman told him because his dashboard was obstructed by a hanging ornament.
They will try to deport him. He is miserable to be in detention again. They have frozen his bank account so he cannot pay a lawyer.
Homeland Security moves in mysterious ways. Will this make us safer? True authority comes from justice, not force. Do we see justice here? If America is determined to be the policeman of the world, resentment will build. Now, in the place of foreign policy it appears we have only ninja diplomacy.
Insha’Allah we will help this nation rediscover the Straight Path, if we continue working together towards mutual understanding. In this way we Muslims might still create a world based on Justice, not fear; on Reality, not illusions of security.
