Soon after the tragedy our nation suffered on September 11, 2001, a young American boy of Islamic faith on the news said he was scared. Scared that, because the hijackers were also of Islamic faith, he would be a target of revenge. This child wanted his fellow Americans to know that he was not the "bad guy." I, too, am afraid for him and for those who look like him. Unfortunately, his fear and mine has become reality throughout parts of our country.
A very good friend of mine, who is Muslim, loves America and hates terrorism. He wants everyone to know that, for the overwhelming majority of Muslims, terrorism is not a tenet of their faith. Those hateful individuals who attacked our nation completely distorted Islam to try to justify their horrific, immoral actions. All major religions around the world, including Islam, have the same basic message: Love One Another. Please remember this, and remember what caused the Holocaust: blind, irrational hatred for a religious group.
This attack on our nation devastated us all. Which way do we go? How can we help? We feel that we can do nothing.
But we can do something. Each of us can commit to positive action by pledging: "I Will Not Use My Hands Or My Words For Hurting Myself Or Others." This Pledge, a powerful instrument in the midst of our grief and anger, reminds us to stop and think before we say or do anything that is hurtful to others or ourselves. It is based on mutual respect, equality and everyone’s moral and legal right to live free of abuse and violence.
Anger is a Feeling; Violence is a Choice.
Violence is intentional and preventable. It is always a choice. But this pledge is not about being passive; you have the right to hurt someone when that is the only way to stop them from hurting you or someone for whom you are responsible. To prevent further evil terrorist attacks, our government, and other cooperating governments around the world, will find and hold fully accountable those responsible for the tragedy on September 11th.
Each person who makes this Pledge is encouraged to trace an outline of their hand on purple paper, sign their name on the palm, then display the purple hand in a prominent place (home, workplace, school, etc.) to serve as a visual reminder of their commitment. The color purple is used to remember and honor victims of violence.
The Pledge is a message of reason and compassion. Most of all, it gives frightened children around the globe something they can do to help and empowers them at a time when they are most vulnerable and insecure. Not everyone can volunteer, give blood, or donate money, but we ALL can take the Pledge and display our Purple Hands. If each of us can do that then we are united as a whole.
We are a wounded nation. We’re sad. We’re angry. But to continue to wound innocent people would be our greatest tragedy!
Ann S. Kelly, Founder/Executive Director
Hands Are Not For Hurting Project
