On 10th March Luton hit the national news following the Homecoming Parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment, a demonstration against the war in Iraq by a small number of Muslims, and a counter demonstration by a group who were stirred to anger by the freedom these had to demonstrate. I have posted several times on that event, the ongoing situation here, and the potential for trouble as the June elections come around.
(Posts so far starting with the oldest are: Reporting Luton: strengthening the stereotype?, Praying and working for the peace of this city (1) , Praying and working for the peace of Luton (2) , Luton to be a focus for rising Islamophobia and Nationalism? , Peace in Luton but .... , It was not an April fool! What would Jesus vote? , An African on Englishness )
I have been taking some time to do some reading on the blogs of those who are most easily described as BNP supporters, (BNP = British National Party), Nationalists, Fascists, the Extreme Right. I have used those terms myself. As I have read, I have realised that I have been violating a number of my own principles as a peacemaker, a reconciler. And for that there is no excuse.
I AM SORRY.
I make no qualification for that apology. I would state very clearly here that I do not agree with them any more than I did, but because I was violating the principles I hold dear, I was immune to anything they said. And that I believe is wrong,
- I was using words to describe them that they do not use to self-identify. That is to deny them the honour of naming themselves.
- I was using words that carry strong negative stereotypical images. That is to demonise them before anyone has heard them.
- I had not heard their story, their thoughts, their grievances, but had already judged it wrong, unjustified, evil.
- I had already decided who was in the right.
For ReconciliationTalk we must create a place where people know they are free to speak, where they are heard, where they are taken seriously, not prejudged. That is the vital starting place.
No excuses, but let me explain what happened. I have over some years become very familiar with ussues of concern to Muslims. I have met radicals and some who have done radical things. I personally have become reconciled with them, and I know I have helped others into that. Its been a privilege. Yet in growing familiar with a story it looses its power. Because I have done it it becomes self evident that others will walk that same bridge. Not true.
My story of reconciliation is not yours. You have to be allowed to discover that for yourself - if you choose. My job is to take the trust I have with the one side, and be guided by the skills I have as a peacemaker to make it easier for you to make one step, two, maybe even three alomg the way. And to do that I must seek to enter your world first, to understand. That may shake me. But I will go there.
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