Case and Point

An important and highly relevant case study of this can be found in looking at the Park 51 Project. The Park 51 initiative involved the proposed construction of an Islamic community center two blocks from where the World Trade Center was previously located. It's proposition resulted in huge backlash. Politicians and protestors spoke out on the matter, labeling it an “offensive” and “insensitive” means of establishing a “territorial conquest” of behalf of the Muslim population (“Park51”). These negative comments and protests were said to be grounded on the basis of humanity.

However, this high volume upset was met with the powerful force of the projects supporters. All of those who argued in favor of the mosques establishment were interestingly not the individuals that might be expected. Though the opposition defended it's protest on the grounds that the Islamic center's construction would be “insensitive to families and memories of 9/11 victims”, many of the members of the New York Neighbors for American Values coalition who fought back were in fact family members of victims of the terrorist attack (Muskus). The unlikely band of supporters claimed that their support had to do with the protection of the right to freedom of religion and fighting discrimination based on whatever that religion may be.
The advocating for this proposal on behalf of victims' families is highly significant in two ways. First, it exemplifies the nobility of Americans to stand by the moral ideals upon which this nation was founded. Secondly it demonstrates more than anything the power that lies in the ability to look at an issue that does not necessarily involve personal stake or reflect one's individual interests and see it from a more holistic viewpoint. Non-Muslims who were negatively impacted by the tragedy acted outside of their own personal convictions prioritized the maintaining of core, democratic principle of equality. These people saw defending the rights of one group as important to the greater good of all individuals, which is exactly what is necessary to further the social and political progression of the United States as a nation.