On the Dissonance of Shared Values

07/31/2016

Whatever side of the aisle you sit, we all (supposedly) share a set of values that can, if we let it, act as a bond and a shield. That bond reminds us that despite nuances in what we believe, faith is powerfully personal and generally speaking the same in its positive  expression across culture and religion. That shield protects us from the uncertain and from the loss of morality, compassion, perseverance and love.

That's the soft intro. Now for the mic drop.

It is wildly understated when I say the leader of the free world MUST have morality and compassion. That includes a willingness to include, a respect for the past as context for the future and a vision of global, civil progress.

What happened to the Khan family after their Thursday remarks - and make no mistake those were shared remarks despite the incredibly strong and composed silence from Mrs. Khan - caused me pain. A personal pain as someone who can never imagine what it would be like to sacrifice as a solider and a parent but has enough experience with loss to walk that mile in my heart and feel an genuine empathy.

Now let's add the very personal layer of my faith, which admittedly is mixed between cultural upbringing and a perspective I've worked hard to cultivate in my 35 years on this planet. Most of you know I fast for Ramadan every year. Every year without fail. It keeps me connected to my Arab heritage, of which I am decidedly and overwhelmingly proud. It also keeps me close to Islam, a way of being I understand in it simplest terms: peace.

Have I read the holy book of Islam? Some verses. Do I know the catalog of hadiths by memory? No, but I've studied enough to know what is verified quality and what is fodder for evil propaganda. Would many Muslims call me a fake Muslim? Probably, but they can believe what they will. If they live their lives with humility, temperance and love, which takes a lifetime to achieve mind you, than we are kindred spirits and the religious label is unimportant.

Full circle: one of the presidential candidates  in this election has expressed quite consistently a personality that cares more about image and power as fuel for ego than a set of values that understands the trials of people who came from nothing. The people around this candidate who stay silent when sometimes unforgivable words are spoken...they are complicit. They are cowards. They are political prostitutes. Please forgive me for that comparison; it just makes a lot of sense to me.

If this nation is in such a state of disrepair, devolution and disintegration that our optimal qualities for leadership all add up to a shadow of men like Qaddafi, Putin, Assad, Saddam, etc., then the original set of values upon which this nation was predicated and built have dissipated. And that terrifies me as much as the oft-stated attacks on Muslims, progressive thought, America's current state and potential and the very obviously amazing people like Gazala and Khizr Khan.

Love and respect, always.