Muslim Girl Scouts Rock

Imagine being a 12 year old girl on a city bus and have people glaring at you simply because of the way you dress. Now, imagine turning all that around by simply wearing a Girl Scout sash. It's actually a sad commentary on how we treat people in this country.

The New York Times reports:

Sometimes when Asma Haidara, a 12-year-old Somali immigrant, wants to shop at Target or ride the Minneapolis light-rail system, she puts her Girl Scout sash over her everyday clothes, which usually include a long skirt worn over pants as well as a swirling head scarf.

She has discovered that the trademark green sash — with its American flag, troop number (3009) and colorful merit badges — reduces the number of glowering looks she draws from people otherwise bothered by her traditional Muslim dress.

“When you say you are a girl scout, they say, ‘Oh, my daughter is a girl scout, too,’ and then they don’t think of you as a person from another planet,” said Asma, a slight, serious girl with a bright smile. “They are more comfortable about sitting next to me on the train.” [...]

By teaching girls to roast hot dogs or fix a flat bicycle tire, Farheen Hakeem, one troop leader here, strives to help them escape the perception of many non-Muslims that they are different.

Scouting is a way of celebrating being American without being any less Muslim, Ms. Hakeem said.

Little girls and boys shouldn't have to wear scout sash's and badges to keep from being harassed. Most of the children are American citizens, or on their way to becoming citizens. And our First Amendment guarantee of separation of church and state allows everyone to decide whether or not to follow a particular faith tradition -- or none at all.

Are we ever going to be a nation that stops living in fear of difference and actually embraces it?

“It is kind of cool to say that you are a girl scout,” Asma said. “It is good to have something to associate yourself with other Americans. I don’t want people to think that I am a hermit, that I live in a cave, isolated and afraid of change. I like to be part of society. I like being able to say that I am a girl scout just like any other normal girl.”

Under the current climate I'm sure that is too much to ask. In the meantime, hats off to these young girls. Now, would someone please pass me a hot dog and some s’mores?

Respect for all families

It seems that First Freedom First, and others, have a new partner promoting respect for all families. Check out the latest news from Disney!

Disney Opens Fairy Taile Weddings Program to Same Sex Couples

The Walt Disney Co., known for its family friendly stance, has given a stamp of approval to the controversial subject of gay marriage.

In a dramatic change of policy, Gay couples who have been previously barred from participating in Disney's lavish "Fairy Tale Wedding" package were granted such rights at all Disney parks including its cruise line.

"We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies," Donn Walker, a Disney spokesperson was quoted as saying. "This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."

The shift is said be in response to criticism of the barring of the program from a gay website afterelton.com. Conversly, religious conservatives have accused the Disney company of promoting the gay agenda which includes acceptance of "gay days" when the park is inundated with gay tourists.

"We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone," Walker said.

Corporations that do the right thing deserve to hear from us. Here is how to contact Disney:

Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons at Disneyland Resort: 714.956.6527
Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons at Walt Disney World Resort: 321.939.4610
or via their websites here or here.

Tag: Blog Against Theocracy