Dear Fellow American,
I was watching one of the Republican primary debates the other night, and the moderator asked a question originally posed by you: As a Muslim woman, is America still a good place to raise my children? And immediately, they were off to the races, arguing over immigration and ISIS and building walls. And I was just so saddened by it all, because in the midst of all that pandering, no one bothered to remember the person who asked the question. And I wanted so much for someone just to take a moment to address you, to talk to you, to calm your fears or at least consider them rather than just use your question as a springboard for an agenda....I wanted someone to hear you. You've been on my mind for a week now, and so I'm writing this to take a moment to share with you what I wish someone, anyone, had bothered to say.
First, I want to tell you, that in the deepest convictions of my heart, I truly believe that the answer to your question is a yes--yes, America still is a shining beacon of hope in the world and a safe haven for you and your family. For, after all, in this country, no one will ever deny your daughter an education, force her into a marriage, or consider her a second-class citizen. In this country, she can go to bed at night and dream of becoming anything she wants, doing anything she dares with her life, and there is at least a chance, however small, that those dreams can become realities. Here, your son can watch democracy unfold right in front of his eyes and learn that, however messy and ugly the process may be, people can settle their differences at a ballot box rather than with bullets.
However, while I do still believe in the promise of America, I also do not want to dismiss your fears, discount your worry. I know that some Christians, trying so desperately to obey God's first commandment, "Love your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind," too often forget the second, "Love your neighbor as yourself." I know that some people confuse a legitimate fear for their safety from the actions of radical Islam with unfounded antagonism for anyone Muslim. And I know that some people just have hearts filled with hate. I cannot imagine what it must be like to face sidelong glances, hurtful comments, to know that when many people look at you, they cannot see past the hijab to our shared humanity. And I hope you know how deeply and truly sorry I am that, in an attempt to keep our country safe, we too often forget that hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.
I want you to know, fellow American, that you are in my prayers, that I share your concern for our country's future and want this country to continue to be a place in which people feel blessed to have the opportunity to raise their families. And finally, I want you to know, that while I think you asked the right question, I also think you asked the wrong people. People across this country are starting to rally behind a candidate, prepare for an election, and don't get me wrong, I think it's important and I too, will engage in the process. But, in the end, the promise of America lies not with politicians, but with people. Presidents can have a great impact, the policies they help to enact can change the country, but in the end, what will make the difference for your children, will not be the R or D after the next president's name, but instead, the child who befriends your daughter at school, the teacher who puts extra effort into helping your son learn to read, the neighbor who mows your lawn or brings over cookies or just remembers to wave and say hello. Regardless of what happens in this election, it is up to each of us, as Americans, to make the answer to your question a resounding yes.
