Senseless violence on Sikh Temple

I am not sure what to say today. Another shooting. Another person who believes that he is better than everyone else, and for what reason? Religion? Culture? Color?

The Shooting at the Sikh Temple is another dark day for America. I say this because it seems that we cannot live any more peaceably than those in war-scarred Middle Eastern countries, where battles over land and real estate are hidden under the guise of religious persecution.

What could have been the six-year, Army veteran's motive for such a senseless crime? The reports say that he had a 9/11 tattoo on his shoulder, somehow slanting this shooting as a retaliation of that sorrow-filled day. First, extremists, regardless of nationality, religion or creed, are not indicative of a whole nation, culture or group of people. Second, revenge does not make the violent act right. Third, why attack a temple? A place of worship.

Sikhism is not unlike most religions in that it asks the believer to honor the Creator, to be kind and respectful, to not judge based on race, class or gender, to always be in worship of the Creator, and to follow similar commandments set forth in all Holy texts. Why is it so hard for some people to see that diversity is a good thing? These people worshiping in this Temple, preparing for an afternoon meal, were not subversives or terrorists. They were just different. I am different. Most of my friends are different. How many of us have ancestry beginning in another country? You know the answer to this question. So why the prejudice, the hate, the destruction?

I spoke with some of my past students who are stunned by this type of violence here in the U.S. They cannot believe that these type of hate crimes still exist here what with all the "melting pot" literature shoved in their faces. One of my students, from the Gujara region of India, is angry that a country such as the U.S., which has the potential to be an example of freedom and equality, possess too much hubris to move passed superficial or ideological beliefs. I cannot agree more.

I am not proud of being human when this type of violent act takes place almost daily in the U.S. and globally. My Creator must be shaking his head in disgust. I know I am.