What he said…

I have been debating back and forth for the last couple of days on whether or not I should comment on Juan Williams being fired from NPR. In case you don’t know the story, you can read about it here:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=11950767

I understand NPR’s position but I also understand why people are upset. I’m not sure that NPR made the correct decision. He should be allowed to express his opinion because we have free speech in this country. It wasn’t like he said what he said on NPR. “When I get on a plane,” he said, “I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.” He was on Fox News. Where he was also employed.

What I have an issue with is that he said what he said. That he really gets worried and nervous when he sees people dressed as Muslims. That implies that all Muslims are terrorists, which they are not. People have the right to wear what they want especially when they are wearing the clothing of their culture and ethnic heritage. Note: I said clothing…not “garb”. I also take issue with the fact that he used that word. It implies that their clothing is some kind of costume. When Mr. Williams see nuns walking down the street does he refer to their habits as “garb”, implying a costume, or does he treat them respect and kindness?

Twenty percent of the world is Muslim. That is one in five. We live on a tiny planet and we need to get along with each other. We need to accept each other. Hating each other and saying rude and inconsiderate things will not help promote peace.

So NPR may have wrong to fire Mr. Williams. But let’s stop debating an issue that is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. He was wrong in what he said. What he said spreads hatred and fear during a time when we need calmness and grace. He should apologize. And learn to treat everyone with the respect and kindness that he would like to be treated. Whether his free speech was violated will not harm overall peace in the world but what he said will harm overall peace. Let’s keep the focus where the focus belongs.