The center that splintered

News cycles come and news cycles go
and let the best and worst of us show.
For example, a new building in lower Manhatten
Has caused wallets of news pundits to fatten
"The “ground zero mosque” is a place" they say
“Where terrorists will be recruiting all day,
It’s an insult to victims that simply is wrong,
That will let Al Queda sing victory songs,
More than 100 mosques in that city alone
Why another, so close, so soon?” they all moan

A fundamentalist says he’ll burn the Quran
Unless they move it (then changes his stance)
Then out come commercials saying Islam is our foe
They’ve put mosques where they’ve conquered since long ago
It’s true this issue has increased the flowing of
Tries to monetize on Islamaphobia
This place was announced last year so it’s weird
It’s a big deal now (an election is near)

Outcries have come from the left and the right
Everyone chiming in on the fight
People of all faiths have come in defense
To welcome the center and help it commence
Those against have no legal basis at all
The mayor and president stand by the law
Everyone’s flag here says “don’t tread on me”
Anyone against freedoms is free to leave

The issue however is not about rights
It’s about sensitivity and cultural fights
60 workers and their worshipping place
Were Muslim and also came down that day
Though their ashes are spread all over the boroughs
Disrespect towards them has been much more thorough

Their fellow Muslims have suffered the most
From bigotry since, from coast to coast
This new building could serve as a monument
A celebration of diversity, not just tolerance
To show ignorance will be destroyed by the truth
That religions don’t start wars, people do

So many people have uninformed views
They only see Muslims when they’re in the news
Anyone would want to take back their faith
From those who try to put a mask on its face
Lies must be undone from their very core
To heal a wound one must go to the source
To put peace back where peace was erased
One could not think of a better place

To show an Islam that’s not on Fox News
Of friendly faces, like jews and hindus
They’re part of America, and they’re here to stay
They will not live in fear and will not run away
They’re just people with rights, enough “them and us”
The dead horse has been beaten, let’s end with the fuss