The holiday
season is a time for most Americans to enjoy cherished family traditions, renew
friendships, and to share some time with those we love. For most Americans, but by no means all of
us, the greatest risks are overspending, overeating, and overindulging in all
the merrymaking. Not this year. This
year we have been forcibly reminded that our lives are always lived on the edge
of a cliff, and that war, terrorism, violence, and tragedies of all kinds can overwhelm
us at any moment. It can be a terrifying
revelation that most of us, most of the time, find ways to overlook. But not
this year.
When we are
confronted by the uncertainty and fragility of our lives, fear, resentment, and
anger can emerge. Words are more readily
misinterpreted, actions misconstrued, and mistrust becomes reflexive. The
growing political and social divides in our nation can inflame our discontent
and weaken the bonds that hold us together.
We, the
community of the University of Rhode Island, cannot yield to these forces at
any time, and especially not now. We
should be thankful that we live in a nation that values liberty, the freedom of
religion, the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of
the press. We, as Rhode Islanders, should
be particularly proud to live in the cradle of religious freedom in North
America.
The value of
these freedoms is greatly diminished if everything we read, or see, or hear –
or everyone we speak with – is simply a reflection of ourselves and our values,
thoughts, and perspectives. The
diversity of our nation - of the peoples, religions, politics, and views that
compose America – has always been, and will continue to be, a source of
strength and inspiration.
It is the time
of year when I and my family, along with the majority of Americans, and of our
URI community, will celebrate Christmas – hence, the title of this post. Many members of our community do not
celebrate this particular holiday, however.
Simple politeness demands acknowledgement and consideration of this fact.
As Americans who treasure the freedoms
and rights bestowed upon us, and as members of a community devoted to equity
and inclusion, we aspire to a higher standard: to welcome, value, support, and
affirm all members of our community for who they are, regardless of their identity,
religion, origin, or holiday traditions.
Given the
vitriolic rhetoric so currently prominent (and I believe so completely
inconsistent with the true significance of Christmas), I encourage our community
to do all we can to support our Muslim colleagues and friends, and all those
who may otherwise feel marginalized and excluded. Let us together commit to live out, to the
best of our ability, what we have in common in this season of light: the basic
human desires to experience and share love, joy, and the hope for a bright and peaceful
future for everyone.
