Photo By John Hoff
Riding with my son, Alex, on the first day of extended summer visitation in fun, affordable NoMi (what I call "Divorced Daddyville") we passed by City Hall on the light rail and spotted a protest on the sidewalk. My son wanted to know what the protest was about, he wanted to go see...
I told my son we'd go to the end of the light rail line first, like we'd planned, (see previous post) then we'd swing back and see what the protest was about. However, when we returned, the protesters had left the sidewalk. Fortunately, I have "protest radar" and I told my son, "That protest didn't break up, it went somewhere. And I bet I can figure out right where they went."
In an unerring straight line, like a bee gathering raised political consciousness instead of nectar, I went to the office of Mayor R.T. Rybak. Sure enough, the protesters were inside the office, standing quietly as one of the protestors talked about things needed in the Somali community. I heard something about more youth programs. But since nobody was standing around with any fliers to inform passersby of the intent of the protest, my son was like, whatever. Let's go see something else, now.
It was later, from mainstream media coverage, I learned how the protest was to demand justice for murder victim Ahmednur Ali, age 20. I informed my son of the details, since the protest had caught his interest and, well, anything to get him focused on current events instead of video games.
My son said it made sense, what I was saying about the media report of the protest, because he'd seen a sign which said something like, "We demand justice now." My son and I discussed the meaning and application of a scripture from the Koran cited in association with the protest: "Fear no man, fear Allah." It would appear if a Moslem is a witness to a murder, he or she must come forth to the authorities, even if they fear for their life. This is what God expects and demands.
Good rule. I think I could incorporate that into the loose, evolving doctrines of the "Johnny Northside school of aggressively good citizenship."
(Do not click "Read More")
I told my son we'd go to the end of the light rail line first, like we'd planned, (see previous post) then we'd swing back and see what the protest was about. However, when we returned, the protesters had left the sidewalk. Fortunately, I have "protest radar" and I told my son, "That protest didn't break up, it went somewhere. And I bet I can figure out right where they went."
In an unerring straight line, like a bee gathering raised political consciousness instead of nectar, I went to the office of Mayor R.T. Rybak. Sure enough, the protesters were inside the office, standing quietly as one of the protestors talked about things needed in the Somali community. I heard something about more youth programs. But since nobody was standing around with any fliers to inform passersby of the intent of the protest, my son was like, whatever. Let's go see something else, now.
It was later, from mainstream media coverage, I learned how the protest was to demand justice for murder victim Ahmednur Ali, age 20. I informed my son of the details, since the protest had caught his interest and, well, anything to get him focused on current events instead of video games.
My son said it made sense, what I was saying about the media report of the protest, because he'd seen a sign which said something like, "We demand justice now." My son and I discussed the meaning and application of a scripture from the Koran cited in association with the protest: "Fear no man, fear Allah." It would appear if a Moslem is a witness to a murder, he or she must come forth to the authorities, even if they fear for their life. This is what God expects and demands.
Good rule. I think I could incorporate that into the loose, evolving doctrines of the "Johnny Northside school of aggressively good citizenship."
(Do not click "Read More")
I thank you for maintain my brother name Ahmednur Ali and his murder case to in your post. I am hoping that your son Alex learned a great lesson for the discussion you had with him.
ReplyDeleteSheikhnur Ali.
Email sheikhnur.ali@hotmail.com