I stand against tribalism, terror, hate

There is a poison that seeps into some hearts, but hate does not have to condemn all, or even most. All religion, and indeed, morality, prizes love over hate.

In this season of general goodwill, I hope the vast majority will continue to understand that a marginalized Muslim terrorist, wrongly interpreting his religion, seeking violently to stoke fear, does not reflect on Muslim communities who have lived among us in peace since anyone can remember.

And I hope Muslim communities can take comfort in knowing hateful threats and fear mongering against them from the similarly marginalized do not represent the majority of citizens either.

Warped minds and ideologies at the extremes must never be allowed to overwhelm the reason of a nation which values the individual above the tyranny of the mob and protects every individual or group of individuals from labeling because of the actions of other individuals. Or freedom itself will have been lost.

Silence and inaction allows extremism and fear to flourish. I stand against tribalism, terror and hate from any quarter. I stand for morality. Will you?

This story was originally published December 11, 2016 at 11:10 AM with the headline "I stand against tribalism, terror, hate."