The Pursuit of Happiness is for the Somali Bantu people of Pittsburgh too.
In this nation we recognize that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. It seems that today the wellsprings of injustice are ever flowing and the heat of hate are boiling our communities.
This makes standing up and speaking out more important.
Fleeing crisis, the Somali Bantu people found themselves in Pittsburgh, USA. On Tuesday at 5am, a Somali Bantu refugee was found beaten on the streets of Pittsburgh. Near death, he lays in critical condition at the hospital where his family, community, and all of us send prayers for his life.
This is not the first incident.
The institution of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, Executive Director Wasi Mohammad, has taken note and that community started the moves towards Pittsburgh-community action by hosting a press conference.
The words of one man struck me deeply. I summarize them here,
When we came to this country we were promised the killing was over. We were promised that this country regardless of religion or race would keep you safe. That there would be no violence….all we wanted to do was keep our families safe, but now our kids are being bullied and our families are being attacked. We fear for our lives. We feel like we’re alone. Where’s the freedom that they talked about? Where’s the justice?
Whether this is a hate crime or not, it is clear that we have people from a far off land that are visiting us. It is our duty to show them the love and kindness that we would hope for. And for Christians, it is our religious duty to stand up for those who are falling, protect those who are weak and comfort those who are afraid.
May we rise.
