Catz letter: Muslims
The recent surge of violent acts that have stirred the political stage and shaken many Americans have made me reflect on my time in Boise. Though not in Boise now, I spent the last two years living behind Timberline High School and was routinely ashamed of the behavior of bigoted teenage boys packed in cars screaming at Muslim families walking down Apple Street. These senseless acts don’t only hurt and alienate people who deserve to be welcomed and integrated, but also make our world less safe.
Muslims are part of the rich and beautiful diversity flourishing in the Treasure Valley. We should welcome everyone into our community and allow them to live freely in a manner that they find culturally, linguistically and religiously appropriate, without fear or discrimination. Not just because it is their constitutional right, but because it is the right thing to do.
Israel Catz, Boise
This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Catz letter: Muslims."