A Surplus of Hatred

^{source: http://www.moodle.munsw.org.uk/file.php/1/un_flag.jpg}

Pastor Terry Jones finally realized his vengeful ambitions this past month, alighting copies of a book, a religious book, a book considered the holiest text for millions of people across the world. Last year on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks he garnered a plethora of attention by announcing these plans, sparking international outcry pleading restraint, even from Barack Obama. The President warned of retribution for Mr. Jones’ actions abroad, that it could spark incidents that would put innocent lives at stake. (Remember the Dutch cartoons of 2005?) Given the lessons of the past, it would be hard to argue that Obama’s warnings were without merit.

After many months and many other news stories that shifted the lens of scrutiny from Mr. Jones, he proceeded in shocking the world on March 20th by overseeing the planned Qur’an destruction. What has unfolded in the following weeks has been shocking and deeply troubling, once more reminding a world often shrouded by denial, of the simmering anger that resides below the delicate civility of the people of the world.

In this past week parts of Afghanistan have erupted in chaos and rage. Thousands of protesters throughout the country have congregated, peacefully denouncing the destruction of the holy book, but more extreme actions have also overshadowed these In the normally placid northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, knife wielding mobs assaulted a UN compound, causing the deaths of at least 15 people. In Kandahar, violence claimed the lives of at least nine during a planned protest of the Qur’an burning. Some have argued that Taliban factions covertly orchestrated the killings, manipulating the wants of ordinary civilians. Some would also say that the United Nations workers died in a violent retribution for the actions of a Florida Pastor. It is hard to comprehend the actions of any mob. We must, however not fall into the easy trap of finger-pointing, trying to link one petty, dangerous action to another.

Individuals like Mr. Jones often benefit from a media circuit in which the loudest voices receive the most attention. Without the media, Mr. Jones’ actions would simply be the deranged antics of a lone sociopath. With media coverage, he gains the status of spokesman. His crazed ideas become opinions, as legitimate as the words of any talking-head TV commentator or print columnist. The Pastor’s widely publicized event does not deserve media attention; his stunts and accompanying statements are nothing more than expressions of hatred, NOT types of speech protected under the first amendment.

Amy Davidson in The New Yorker asks: Did Jones feel, with all the other news in the world, neglected, as if people were talking about air strikes in Libya, and the tsunami victims in Japan, rather than about him?” (Full Article) In other words, did Mr. Jones help destroy the Qur’an through jealousy to merely reclaim the public spotlight? By even talking about him we are rewarding his childish actions. We are playing into his hands, blowing into a fire that threatens to consume the world.


^{Terry Jones surrounded by television cameras}
(tampabay.com)
It is foolish to look for links between the Afghan mobs and Qur’an burnings; it would be an escalation of the intolerance and prejudice that sparked this disastrous situation. It should perhaps make us question the almost decade-long United States involvement in the middle east, the continued military actions in Afghanistan, and our government’s general disregard for the autonomy of other nations. Perhaps this is why people in Afghanistan are angry, I would be too. In the future I only hope that mutual respect, understanding and love can overcome the stunning prevalence of hatred in our public discourse.