Composition of a given society.

There is a dire need for us to understand the social structures, how the societies put together, it will help us cut down the prejudices and stereotyping of the others.  Pluralism is respecting the otherness of others and accepting each other's God-given uniqueness.

This template is merely a guideline, and you can impose this on any religion, social group, racial group, ethnic group... and it seems to work.

Let me define one items at a time.

Moderates - Those who have the least problems with others, they mind their own business, and they are busy with living their life and letting others live theirs and they are the majority.

Kill or get Killed conservatives - These are the terrorists and conservatives. The strongly believe in exclusions, it is their way or no way, they may resort of violence like a lion or act like Hyenas.

More next week. 



dd

Oprah Winfrey's biggest mistake

OPRAH WINFREY'S BIGGEST MISTAKE
URL -http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/08/oprah-winfreys-biggest-mistake.html

Oprah made the biggest public mistake of her life by not telling the racist Zurich Store woman that she will buy that damned hand bag and should have insisted on seeing it… indeed, her in-action is a permission for the store clerk to continue with her racism. Shame on you Oprah!

This is the classic example of racism. About twenty years ago, one of my Black Attorney clients was looking to buy a new home - we talked, based on his needs I suggested  Perry Homes in Highland Shores - he laughed! I asked him what? He said he has been there and was given the classic treatment - precisely what Oprah went through in Zurich.

He really wanted that home, I took him and his wife to that subdivision - after the "welcome to Perry Homes spiel" - she said, these homes are expensive - and started giving the price range… I stopped her right there with my sharp - So?  I was outraged at her racism.  I was trained and I knew that is not what is taught in new homes. I was a veteran in the industry. I made the points to her, she was apologetic.  Of course, my client decided on another builder.

I thought, those days are gone, but surprised to see it exists in Zurich.

I am however guilty - once in 1987 another lady was denied access to a property because she was black. I was out of handle, but my friends in the business calmed me down, I continue to feel guilty about it.

It is much better than it was 30 years ago when I had experienced quite a lot of racism. Thanks God it is declining.

Oprah made the biggest public mistake of her life by not telling who it is - and without that the store can continue to be racist. Oprah you are wrong and shame on you. If you don't do the right thing, who will? Shame on you that you are a celebrity and did not do a things about the wrong.

We have come a long way in America, and thank God for America for the paving the way of civility and respect for every human. We have a lot more to go, but we are leading the world despite our deficiencies. 

Good News update:

Finally, I am glad Oprah got the apology and made the point, and made the big news. I do hope the the racist attitudes be questioned even from a business point of view. From a Moral point of view, those attitudes need to be punished from a mere reprimand to training courses in respecting others, no matter what race, religion or ethnicity they belong to. In public square - that attitude should not be acceptable.


I am glad it turned out to be a bigger event to make the point. Thank you Oprah for making that point. If your intent was to make a bigger point. I salute you, and I will withdraw my comment that you were wrong.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies where on one has to live I apprehension for fear of the other. He continues to offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him at www.MikeGhouse.net 

Oprah's blunder about India - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/07/oprahs-blunder-indians-eat-with-hands.html

====================

Oprah was victim of 'racism' on Swiss shopping trip

Winfrey, one of the world's richest women, told a US TV programme that she was refused service in a handbag shop in Zurich and told that the products in the shop were "too expensive" for her.

"I was in Zurich the other day, in a store whose name I will not mention. I didn't have my eyelashes on, but I was in full Oprah Winfreygear.

I had my little Donna Karan skirt and my little sandals. But obviously 'TheOprah Winfrey Show' is not shown in Zurich," she told Entertainment Tonight.

"I go into a store and I say to the woman, 'Excuse me, could I see the bag right above your head?' and she says to me, 'No. It's too expensive.'"

The saleswoman went on to suggest she look at cheaper bags.

Winfrey said she left the shop calmly after the incident, but said that it proves that racism is still an issue.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/oprah-was-victim-of-racism-on-swiss-shopping-trip-29485861.html

---------------- ------------
Oprah gets Swiss apology for 'racist' encounter while shopping


Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/oprah-gets-swiss-apology-for-racist-encounter-while-shopping-1.1404042#ixzz2bUsTtS31
GENEVA -- It's a glamorous playground of the rich and famous, filled with glitterati from princes to movie stars. It's also a land with a sometimes uneasy relationship with foreigners -- especially when they aren't white.

Billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey says she ran into Swiss racism when a clerk at Trois Pommes, a pricey Zurich boutique, refused to show her a black handbag, telling one of the world's richest women that she "will not be able to afford" the $38,000 price tag. Winfrey earned $77 million in the year ending in June, according to Forbes magazine.

"She said: 'No, no, no, you don't want to see that one. You want to see this one. Because that one will cost too much; you will not be able to afford that,"' Winfrey, appearing on the U.S. television program "Entertainment Tonight," quoted the clerk as saying. "And I said, 'Well, I did really want to see that one.' And she refused to get it."

Swiss tourism officials and the boutique owner were quick to offer apologies on Friday.
"We are very sorry for what happened to her, of course, because we think all of our guests and clients should be treated respectfully, in a professional way," Daniela Baer, a spokeswoman for the Swiss tourism office, told The Associated Press.

The tourism office also posted an apology on Twitter, saying "this person acted terribly wrong."
Boutique owner Trudie Goetz told the BBC that an assistant had shown Winfrey several other items before the "misunderstanding."

The newspaper Blick described the bag as a crocodile-leather Tom Ford design named for actress Jennifer Aniston, a fan of the American designer. It quoted Goetz as saying the bag was priced at 35,000 Swiss francs.

"I have to admit that the employee is Italian. Of course, she speaks English, but not as well as her mother tongue," Goetz said in a video interview on Blick's website. "It was a real misunderstanding."

Winfrey was in Switzerland to attend the wedding of her longtime friend Tina Turner, who has lived in Zurich for many years and has been quoted saying how much she enjoys living among the Swiss. Turner was granted a passport earlier this year, a process that typically takes years.

About 23 per cent of Switzerland's 8 million residents are non-Swiss, and the country earned more than $39 billion from tourism in 2011.

But Swiss authorities acknowledge that foreigners can encounter discrimination. Last year, a government-appointed commission reported that immigrants and "people who visit Switzerland as tourists or who seek asylum here, and people of a different skin colour" can encounter "xenophobia and racism in certain areas of life."

The nationalistic Swiss People's Party, which has the largest number of seats in the federal parliament, has won support through claims that immigrants can bring crime and social problems to a country that has been an oasis of stability even in Europe's darkest days.

In recent years, the People's Party has successfully campaigned to ban the construction of minarets in a country that has about 400,000 Muslims, and to tighten the country's asylum law. Swiss lawmakers also narrowly rejected a proposal to ban face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women in public spaces.
And this week, a row broke out over plans to bar asylum seekers living in the small town of Bremgarten from visiting public swimming pools and attending schools.

Human Rights Watch said the agreement by the Swiss migration office to let the town impose "house rules" to limit access to schools and sports facilities violates international law.

It wasn't the first time Winfrey has taken issue with treatment at a ritzy European boutique. In 2005, she was turned away from a Hermes shop in Paris 15 minutes after closing time. The store said it was closed for a private event.

A Hermes executive appeared on Winfrey's talk show to apologize for the "rigid and rude" behaviour of the employee. Winfrey complimented Hermes on its response -- including sensitivity training for employees -- and urged viewers to buy the company's products.


Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/oprah-gets-swiss-apology-for-racist-encounter-while-shopping-1.1404042#ixzz2bUshgGad



Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam,Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links. 

Pluralism Speaker Mike Ghouse - How bad is stereotyping

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links.

Sally McClain launched her book A Taint on Texas

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/sally-mcclain-launched-her-book-taint.html

Click for enlarged version of the picture

Three pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631763053579/show/

My interest in Holocaust and Genocides has developed a radar in me, that senses the signals about genocides and massacres around the world, I particularly have an affinity with Native Americans. Way back in 1993, when I organized the first Thanksgiving Celebrations Public event, my first choice was to commence the event with Native American blessing and cleansing ceremony. Thank God, I have continued with that tradition since then.  

Holocaust, Genocides and Massacres are agonizing events, and  I continue to make an effort to understand the pain we are capable of inflicting on fellow beings with the hope of making a difference - and a commitment to Never again.

So I spent nearly an hour with Sally, and it was a fascinating conversation about stereotyping, bias, and prejudice. She shared her story when she was six years old, and how she wanted to run from listening to the hell talk in the Church, and I related my story, where I questioned Prophet Abraham’s infringement on the sanctity of other people’s faith. Thanks to Madeline Estes for inviting me to this event, Madeline was a volunteer in one of our events and a friend.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, and I fully understand that emotion when you empathize with the oppressed and their helplessness. I was moved by it, as I do feel the same knowing the atrocities the Native Americans have endured. We talked about much of the world; the arrogance is the root cause of all evil.

One of the gentlemen made a wonderful remark about the Malala incident in Pakistan; he said just about everyone in Pakistan has condemned it, it was in reference to resisting stereotyping.  That recognition prevents people from stereotyping others.  I have written two pieces on Malala. Here is one: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/malala-we-stand-with-you-and-your.html

From the book, “A Taint on Texas is also a study in the tactics of dishonesty, unreasonable bigotry, and the tunnel vision of Americans who believed manifest destiny referred to those who could take what they coveted, when and where they coveted, by any means t their disposal without conscious thought for the consequences of their actions.”

I have to finish, rather refinish my book, Americans Together, if I can get it out before November 6^th, it would be a joyful event to me. However, I had always wanted to write, “A stain on India:” about the Muslim and Sikh Massacres and displacement of Hindus out of Kashmir. 

The VI Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides is set for January 27, 2012. The United Nations date is January 26, since it is Saturday and the Shabbath for Jews, we have moved to Sunday, to include our Jewish friends, as Holocaust is central to the event. Please note the date and plan on attending it.

MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

Stereotyping Muslims don't make sense

Every day I encounter men and women who are afraid of Islam, and I will do my best to allay the fears, rather their phobias.  I will make a few attempts, if they are determined not to see another point of view, I pray for them and leave the door open to be loving persons again, whenever it hits upon them, it is good to be  a good being. 

My conversation with a Joe on face book resulted in posting the following.

Joe, who is flawed, individual, religion or the law books?

If a single mother were to ask you, if she is safe to go to New York?

Based on statistics below, would you say - don’t go to New York, they are murderers. In 2010 they murdered 866 people, and sure don;’t go there, they are rapists, they raped 2, 771 women.

New York (2010) -  2,771 Rapes - 866 Murders - 64,973 bugalries
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/nycrime.htm

Likewise, if someone advises against going to Dallas, my City, I will say baloney. I have been living here for over 30 years, Rape and Murder is a shameful fact of life, but thousands that I know for a long time, go to work and come back home.  (Although one of my friends was shot two nights ago when he was on his way to the bank)

Dallas (2010) - 505 Rapes - 148 Murders - 19,594 Burglaries
http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Dallas-Texas.html

IS THE FLAW IN THE LAW BOOKS OR THE INDIVIDUALS?

3 Million (9/10^th of 1%) Americans are incarcerated, is it fair for the Russians to say, don’t go to America, they are criminals. Are all Americans Criminals, or the less than a percent of individuals?  Same laws apply to the violators as well as law abiding citizens, yet some violated and you and I have not. 1% does not abide, while the 99% does abide - does it make sense to declare that our laws are flawed?

Nuclear Power lights up our homes and offices in the hands of good engineers, the same nuclear power can kill millions - who do you blame, Nuclear power or the (ab)user?

1/10^th of 1% of Muslims are extremists, and same percent is good for all groups, be it religious, racial or ethnic…   is it the religion or the individuals?

Have you seen the statistics on Muslims protesting worldwide? Its 0.001%

I hope you consider reassessing your hate for Muslims or any one. Finding the truth is your own responsibility, and when you do find the truth, your anxiety, apprehension and fear recedes and you will have a different language.

I am a Muslim and I have contributed at least my personal share of work in making America a better place for every one of us - in building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

I urge you to re-evaluate, if you are serious about understanding, I will be happy to address your concerns about Islam and Muslims

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

Fanatic Muslims?

It is my responsibility as an individual to respond to a question about Fanatic Muslims and I have done this to the best of my ability. 

As a civilized society, the first thing we need to come to grips with is avoid stereotyping any one.  Baptists are intolerant, Muslims are fanatics, Evangelicals are bullies, Jews control America, Atheists do not have morals… and someone said, don’t trust Texans, they are war mongers; Johnsons and Bush were, so will be Perry! So, as a Texan, I am slapped with a label of war monger too.

Fanaticism is not a healthy thing in any society Muslims or otherwise, countering fanaticism with equal fanaticism makes it worse for all, makes both sides guilty of thoughtlessness. They dig in their heels with no solutions on the horizons.

This January (2012), the Rabbis in Israel are spitting on women who are not covering their hair and forcing women to sit in the back of the bus and don’t want women to pray with them… the report was predicting they will make up about 10% of Israeli population by 2025. This ironically is the spitting image of Muslims.  Are all Jews fanatic? Are all Muslims fanatic? Are all Baptists fanatics (Two of the thousands of Baptist ministers have called Jews, Muslims, Mormons and Hindus cults – are they?)

A few fanatics (not Muslims) wanted to ban circumcision in San Francisco and Santa Monica – it was on their ballet to criminalize the act to make the Jewish life difficult.  Check this out - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/circumcision-satire_b_872270.html

Herman Cain would not hire a Muslim; Gingrich will want Muslims to go through checks… Jews and Catholics have been there.

We cannot stereotype any one.  

You may not like this, and I hope you do. I am committed to do my share of work in mitigating stereotyping people, any people anywhere.

Chicago reported 34, 195 crimes; and 1,349 incidents of criminal sexual assaults in 2010. Dallas Killed 148 Persons. Is it fair to say to single women heading to Chicago that don’t go there, the Chicagoans are rapists, they raped 1349 women just the last year… or don’t go to bloody Dallas, they are murderers, they killed 148 people, you will be the next… Isn’t this stereotyping? Same thing is thrown about Muslims as fanatics. Indeed they are as fanatic as Christians, Jews, Hindus and others. Thanks to Google, check the stats out there.

Can you talk to the Rabbis spitting on a 9 year old, a Hindu priest raping a girl, a Catholic Bishop abusing a boy,  a Muslim thrashing his 9 year old girl for not wearing Hijab… ? 

It behooves for all of us together to find solutions and not bury people in their positions. For every 1% of fanatic Muslims, there is 1% of fanatic Jews, Christians, Hindus and others. It is our problem not Jews’ Muslim’s or Christians.  I will write a full piece on this and I beg the readers to resist the temptation to stereotype any one.

www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com is being created to find solutions.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America, where no Americans has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. He is a speaker, thinker and a writer and offers pluralistic solutions on current issues. His work is listed at www.MikeGhouse.net

STEREOTYPING

We are planning the following conferences to demystify the myths in building a cohesive America. Please share video links that highlight any one of the following issues, in this particular blog, I am looking for Stereotyping.

Here is an example, please share the links in the comment section below

REACTION OF AMERICANS WHEN A MUSLIM IS MISTREATED-HIDDEN CAMERA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJikXyoYpgo&feature=share

Thanks
Mike


www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

PLANNED CONFERENCES

·                     Anti-Semitism

·                     GLBT Conference

·                     Islamophobia

·                     Native Americans

·                     Quraan Conference

·                     Racial Profiling

·                     Sharia

·                     Stereotyping

Stereotyping

STEREOTYPING

Believing that all Jews act certain way or the Muslims, Hindus, Christians and others act the other, or casting African Americans, Vietnamese, Arabs, Indians or Mexicans into a certain mold is detrimental to our mental health.

Imagine the negative impact it will have on our spirituality, taking away goodness from us ounce by ounce and replacing it with fear of others. The Creator has intentionally made us diverse, let's accept and respect that, we will find freedom in it.

Stereotyping is not a smart thing to do even in a business.

##
We are intentionally diverse, the creator or the cause of creation has programmed us to be that way, if we can accept that, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

##
We have to grow as human beings and 'know thyself' and unload the bias for our own well being, not for God or it is a noble thing, but for our own good, we have to keep our spirits free from bonding agents such as malice, bias or hate.As a society, we have to help each other be a better person to oneself, which will translate goodness for all.... Read MoreAngie preferring not to like any one is ok, it is fine to love apples and not like oranges, the problem will stem when you hate oranges and bind your self in ill-will or scheming to rid them or hurt them.

##