arthra
Baha'i
Wednesday December 2nd occurred one of those horrific moments where terrorism broke lose on a relatively unknown community ... Now when people in the media mention "San Bernardino" or maybe "Redlands" a certain picture emerges. Well for me these cities are more than just a media impression as I've lived in these cities most of my life. I was employed by the Regional Center that was attacked...and worked with dedicated Public Health employees for years... People who had no other agenda than serving those in need in the communities of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Another reason this was brought "home" to me was that I live within a block of the apartment that was rented by the suspects who allegedly had an arsenal of weapons, ammunition and pipe bombs...
I walked my dog across the street where they lived. So there has been for me a numbness felt and memories of my past working experiences in various agencies years ago.
Over the past weekend as a representative of the Baha'i Faith I attended two memorial services at local Islamic Centers in Redlands and the neighboring community of Loma Linda. I think the Muslims at these services were sincerely opposed to the assaults at the Regional Center in San Bernardino.. We united in prayer and sympathy for the innocent.
One thing that is of most concern to me is the "back lash" that these events can inspire... We need to unite and share the values of peace and non-violence rather than resort to vengeance or to scape-goat minorities.
Another reason this was brought "home" to me was that I live within a block of the apartment that was rented by the suspects who allegedly had an arsenal of weapons, ammunition and pipe bombs...
I walked my dog across the street where they lived. So there has been for me a numbness felt and memories of my past working experiences in various agencies years ago.
Over the past weekend as a representative of the Baha'i Faith I attended two memorial services at local Islamic Centers in Redlands and the neighboring community of Loma Linda. I think the Muslims at these services were sincerely opposed to the assaults at the Regional Center in San Bernardino.. We united in prayer and sympathy for the innocent.
One thing that is of most concern to me is the "back lash" that these events can inspire... We need to unite and share the values of peace and non-violence rather than resort to vengeance or to scape-goat minorities.
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