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KEN ORVIDAS: LA TIMES

August 18, 2010

Ken Orvidas' op-ed page illustration about Muslim intolerance in the US runs in today's LA Times. Haris Tarin's essay titled, "My Father Did Not Fear for Me, But I Am afraid for My Children" parallels the openness and tolerance his Muslim, Afghan born father and mother experienced when they moved to the U.S. in the 1980's with the bigotry and fear-mongering present today as Muslims seek to open mosques in regions of our country.

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He speaks of Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and the host of "Professional Bigots" building a cottage industry out of "Muslim-Baiting" in this election cycle. He refuses to allow the voices of fear minimize his father's experiences and degrade the America he fell in love with. He writes that his children deserve better.

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"Eventually Wes Bausmith (AD) and I settled on the hands holding and supporting a mosque as our solution," Ken explains of the illustration. "We felt that it best reflects the positive ideals the author's father revered about Americans. However, I really liked the power of a couple of the "Muslim Baiting" sketches too. Maybe someday."

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