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Jenny from Wilkes-Barre is a young Muslim woman with six children. While shushing them in her house today, she told us on the phone she’ll probably mark the anniversary of Sept. 11 by staying indoors.
I wish she wouldn’t. Jenny is the voice of the future of her faith if its followers choose peace over mayhem.
Today, she told us how her family came to Wilkes-Barre two years ago. She said there are about 50 families here who picked our area because of its reasonable cost of living. For the most part, they are allowed to practice their religion free of ridicule, even when she goes out in public wearing her burqa She also disagrees with radicals like Osama bin laden, emphasizing he doesn’t represent her.
It’s time for Jenny and her fellow Muslims to strongly denounce those who twist faith into hatred. It would be profound for her to step out of the doorway of her residence with her children in tow to show America that not every Muslim is a radical.
We also heard from Lauren today. On Sept. 11, 2001, Lauren lived on Long Island and was co-owner of a dog grooming business. Her world caved in on that day. Her partner’s husband, a firefighter, was killed. She recalled the sorrow, the stench and the long road back for many families in the aftermath. She moved to our area after she inherited a property. Lauren wonders if people in Northeastern Pennsylvania truly understand the scope of the tragedy that engulfed her world and changed her forever.
Do we? Jenny and Lauren, two new residents, show life goes on in the aftermath of tragedy. It also illustrates Sept. 11’s lingering impact on Americans of all walks of life. |
Rush Limbaugh
