By Adam Strom, Director of Research and Development, Facing History and Ourselves
Full article originally published on Facing History and Ourselves
Blog
August 23, 2010 - 5:51pm
The searing controversy over the proposed Islamic Center near Ground Zero in New York has exposed deep divisions and unhealed wounds in our country. (The comments on this recent Washington Post article by Eboo Patel illustrate these deep rifts.)
Whether the debate stems from bigotry toward Muslims, or insensitivity to the tragedy of 9/11 depends on your perspective-- but emotions are flared and battle lines are being drawn.
August 12, 2010 - 5:03pm
After nearly a dozen attacks on immigrants, people in Staten Island, NY are working to organize a response. Two ministers are collaborating to begin dialogue in a tense atmosphere, a mile long march was held to support a gay Hispanic couple that was attacked, and local civic leaders have launched a unity campaign called “I Am Staten Island.”
August 10, 2010 - 6:03pm
The debate continues around the building of an Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero. According to a New York Times report, the center's organizers reached out to key interfaith leaders, including those from the Jewish Community Center, Trinity Church and the 9-11 victims' families, but they did not anticipate the firestorm in the media that followed.
In the midst of this controversy, Not In Our Town offers these stories from communities about interfaith action and understanding. We encourage you to use these films to begin a dialogue in your town and with your firends. Please let us know about the creative ways you develop to start a conversation.
A City Unites After Synagogue Arsons
August 4, 2010 - 2:10pm
This month, we're turning the NIOT Group spotlight on Not In Our Town Princeton, an interfaith, inter-racial coalition that has been tackling racism since its founding in Princeton, NJ more than a decade ago.