Finding a way over barriers
In the March issue “Letters,” Gary C. Menin, UC’99, wrote, “Someday, maybe someday, we’ll hear from someone of Middle Eastern descent or from the Islamic faith who condemns the acts of September 11 without making a concurrent condemnation of the United States.”
It is unfortunate that many are not aware of the tremendous and unanimous condemnation of the 9/11 attacks by Islamic institutions nationwide. Within a day of the attacks, all American Islamic institutions had issued press releases condemning the attacks and stating solidarity with America.
In the months since, Arab American and Muslim American institutions have become more involved than ever in intercultural and interfaith dialogues, opening up their offices, mosques, and churches for open-house events, lectures, and general outreach. In fact, in January the Islamic Society of Boston’s outreach center received an appreciation award from the commonwealth of Massachusetts for the center’s commitment to educating the public.
I hope all Americans will realize their worldview will be dangerously hindered if they rely solely on sensationalist media and ignore actual communication with others. Arab Americans, whether Christian or Muslim, are as American as any other group of citizens. The United States is great because of its diversity and the availability of information and dialogue.
Ignorance and isolationism are catalysts for fear and hate. Education and respect are catalysts for understanding and peace on the personal, neighborhood, and national levels.
Samer Abu Ghazaleh, BS’97, MBA’01
Malden, Massachusetts
Language and nationality
As an English-speaking citizen, I found “The Case of the Disappearing Language” [From the Field, March] quite disappointing. The world is by necessity converting to English as its language of commerce.
My parents came to America from Italy after World War I. To become citizens, they learned the language and history of this country. Did they lose their culture? Absolutely not.
When I married my wife—who had been sent to Germany as slave labor in 1940—she spoke no English, and I spoke no Polish. We conversed in German. When she arrived in the United States, she immediately enrolled in English classes. She did not demand bilingual privileges.
It has been my experience that those who complain loudest about “loss of culture” are not qualified to know what they are talking about.
Joseph DeSantis, E’43
Sun City, Arizona
A familiar name
I was intrigued by the March issue “Huskiana” because . . .
While attending NU, I lived in Brockton. In 1935, I got my first co-op job with that city’s engineering department and was assigned to a surveying field party. The chief? None other than Earle C. Allen, the Huskiana subject!
I remember he was a fellow with a great sense of humor and it was a pleasure working under him. Until I read your article, I never realized his hidden gift as a cartoonist. Many thanks for rekindling my memory of Earle.
Burritt “Buzz” Leighton, E’39
South Easton, Massachusetts
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