Nastiness in the Neighborhood

It is ironically horrible that this week’s   horror of mass shootings done by yet another idiot hiding his gripes behind a weapon aimed at innocent people was committed at another place of worship that was called The Tree of Life; yet so many people died for no reason at all. It is also horribly ironic that it was done in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood where his motto on his wonderful children’s show was to sing everyday “Won’t you be my neighbor.” He spread messages always of love and inclusiveness to all people even when the world and America was not so divided. He said, “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor. He never ever told children to build walls or point weapons at our neighbors yet that is exactly what our President and his followers want America to do.

There are too many weapons in the hands of just about anyone now. This time terror was inside the Synagogue. Squirrel Hill   is an unassuming quiet neighborhood in central Pittsburg that is the home to ¼ of the cities Jewish Community. It was also Mr. Rogers Neighborhood where he taught generations of children to accept yourself no matter who you were as well as your neighbors. Apparently the sick shooter never saw that popular TV show. Fred Rogers lived just blocks from the Synagogue. His fictional neighborhood honored all humanity in all of its colors and in all of its manifestations. Now the neighborhood will always be remembered by tragedy.

Can anyone find hope or meaning anymore or reason for all the constant tragedies happening all over this country daily? In this past October there were 28 mass shootings reported. When will it all stop? After the tragedy of all tragedies happened on 911 Fred Rogers spoke of not hate but of pride and how wonderful everyone tried to heal, save and clean the scars of tragedy away. How do we even get through times like these anymore? In any catastrophe we have to look for and forward to the helpers. The helpers showed up in his Neighborhood and he would be proud of them. It is time for our leaders to stand up and be helpers and not just over thoughts and prayers. America needs help to control idiots with lethal weapons.

There shouldn’t be any taking sides. This crisis involves all of us.  Pittsburg Muslim’s   leader stepped up to the plate to offer any help his community could provide. America is not Israel or Palestine. America is people from all regions and religions living peacefully and productively together in harmony. He has already raised more than $150,000 to be used for the victims and their families from his religious community. Wasi Mohamed is the Executive Director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. He remembers that it was the Jewish community that helped American Muslims feel safe in America after the 911 tragedy.

With all the tragedies happening daily all over America we all need to just take the time to help us all heal. Donate blood, donate your services and donate your heartfelt feelings towards all humanity suffering at our borders, in our schools, places of worship and at our concerts. It is time to change the climate in America. VOTE for a change in your neighborhood. VOTE for hope!