tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post5149003873588931645..comments2024-03-28T13:27:46.447-06:00Comments on Mysteries and More from Saskatchewan: Race and Ethnicity in WarBill Selneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-64285155724988827132016-08-29T00:11:51.306-06:002016-08-29T00:11:51.306-06:00TracyK: Thanks for the comment. The world is anxio...TracyK: Thanks for the comment. The world is anxiously watching America's decisions in this fall's elections.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-77446791748481392842016-08-28T00:06:08.575-06:002016-08-28T00:06:08.575-06:00A very interesting post, Bill. Thanks for all this...A very interesting post, Bill. Thanks for all this thoughtful commentary on Snow Falling on Cedars and how it relates to today's issues.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-20243639540697954572016-08-23T00:01:56.346-06:002016-08-23T00:01:56.346-06:00Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Your story is ho...Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Your story is hopeful and encouraging.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-73310507973890001952016-08-19T03:13:30.973-06:002016-08-19T03:13:30.973-06:00I just think of upper New York state in North Tona...I just think of upper New York state in North Tonawanda where someone threatened the only African-American firefighter in the town, told him to quit his job and leave town (using racist slurs) in a letter on Aug. 1. Two days later, the person set his apartment on fire, destroyed it and the family's possessions and killed their two cats. A neighbor confessed to the arson, but not the letter. He was arrested and charged with arson, but is out on bail.<br /><br />Luckily, the parents and two children, as well as the residents of the three other damages apartments, were not home.<br /><br />What happened? The fire company took hours of calls supporting the firefighter, fundraised, collected furniture and toys. The community turned out in support -- this in a town 95% white. Hundreds of people turned out to help. <br /><br />One firefighter who didn't know him set up an online fundraising page; last I checked it had raised $152,000 from 4,000 people nationally.<br /><br />The townspeople held a demonstration through the town against racism, not political activists, but friends and neighbors of Kenneth Walker.<br /><br />The Buffalo News said that the way the community came forward showed that the hate of a few was countered by thousands of good people. A civil rights leader said that the response showed how racism can be combated in other communities.<br /><br />That gives me hope. I've been keeping track of this with a friend in Buffalo. She says this is a sea change in an area with a shameful history of bigotry.<br /><br />Reading the stories of support have reinforced my hope for humanity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-15722944015389628772016-08-18T23:44:20.371-06:002016-08-18T23:44:20.371-06:00Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. A few years ago ...Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. A few years ago I thought tolerance was growing in the world. I was wrong. I do not see sanity on the horizon.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-46665817845559054902016-08-18T23:41:51.321-06:002016-08-18T23:41:51.321-06:00Moira: Thanks for the kind words. I did not really...Moira: Thanks for the kind words. I did not really feel the melancholy as I became wrapped up in the trial. On reflection I can see your feeling of melancholy.<br /><br />I must admit I did not see these troubled times coming a few years ago.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-37559000607606912602016-08-18T23:39:29.472-06:002016-08-18T23:39:29.472-06:00Margot: Thanks for the comment. It has been discou...Margot: Thanks for the comment. It has been discouraging watching a return to rhetoric enhancing ethnic fears.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-55322553077031071552016-08-18T15:48:11.663-06:002016-08-18T15:48:11.663-06:00Again, this is a very good book, well-written and ...Again, this is a very good book, well-written and poignant, not to mention of educational value, an example of how fiction can change readers and bring compassion and empathy to living people.<br /><br />The internment of the Japanese was a shameful part of U.S. history, just as the hostile campaign to Muslims is, too. Someone shot and killed an imam and his assistant in cold blood over the weekend right out in broad daylight. A suspect was arrested; no motive has been stated, but Muslims in NYC think it was a hate crime.<br /><br />That is what Trump's bigotry (played constantly on TV) can lead to in the extreme case. And then Britain's BREXIT from the EU and the killing of a young woman MP because she supported immigration ofo Muslims, shows how violence can be instigated.<br /><br />I hope we all get through this period and that sanity and anti-bigotry prevail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-55803927184123480102016-08-18T14:53:23.153-06:002016-08-18T14:53:23.153-06:00Thanks for all your varied posts on this book. I r...Thanks for all your varied posts on this book. I read it many years ago and thought it was marvellous, and rather melancholy. Shortly afterwards I moved to the Seattle area, not that far from where the book was set.<br />I liked reading your memories of your youth, and also your thoughtful and serious comments on current affairs. These are teoubled times. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-29480125155812053762016-08-18T05:28:01.275-06:002016-08-18T05:28:01.275-06:00What well-written post, Bill! It's something I...What well-written post, Bill! It's something I've been thinking about, too, as I watched what happened with the Khan family playing out. That sort of demagoguery and ethnic fear can only have tragic consequences, as we've seen. I wish we could learn more from history, because in my opinion, it's right there for us to see, as you point out so clearly. I truly hope that the Khan family reminds us that a person can be a patriotic American or Canadian, and also an observant Muslim. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com