FISHKILL – Panelists and speakers at the fifth annual All for One event at the Fishkill Recreation Center discussed the ongoing coronavirus epidemic as well as divisiveness in politics.
“Power to change the world is not in the popular ritual of hating each other,” said event emcee Dr. Seema Rizvi, who started the event in 2016 in light of increasing hate against Muslims and other marginalized groups. “Power is in compassion, passion and kindness for each other, as we all are created equal.”
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said America’s diversity is a good thing. “Whether you are Christian or Jewish or Muslim, you belong here in the Hudson Valley. We love you here in the Hudson Valley. You are part of our strength, not any weakness, and the Voices of America, who believe our diversity is our greatest strength, and think that is a beautiful thing,” said Maloney. “It should not be a Republican or Democrat or Liberal or Conservative issue. I America we should understand that we are here together. No one is going anywhere. Our success or our failure depends on how much we can come together as a people.”
The congressman addressed how the upside of the coronavirus epidemic is that it could unite a long-divided nation.
“When we face something like the epidemic of coronavirus, it is such a great example of how we have to be working together we have to be communicating with one another,” he said. “The virus doesn’t care whether you’re Republican or Democrat.”
One of the speakers was Dutchess County Director of Veterans Services Marc Coviello, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2010-2014. Coviello shared stories of how he bonded with soldiers from different backgrounds: an undocumented Hispanic immigrant, a man from the Deep South and an Afghani.
“We all fought in the same playing field,” he said. “We all loved each other. We all looked at each other in the most decent and human possible way and that was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
Coviello believes that the younger generation will end racism in this country.
“In the future, there will be no racism,” he declared. “I know that might sound like a pie in the sky dream, but I really believe that we’re at a time right now where a new generational thinking is happening.”
A panel discussion was held prior, featuring former HealthQuest CEO Adil Ameer as the moderator. Topics included how the attitude towards immigrants in the U.S. has changed over the years, with Ameer stating that he feels the attitude has changed dramatically.
“I was very fortunate to come to this country at 18 years old,” he said, “and I went on to become a CEO. That’s where, I believe, American greatness comes from, but there are hard changes taking place in attitudes and behaviors.”
This event was held as hate crimes recently were reported to have hit a 16-year high by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sixty-one percent of these incidents were classified as physical attacks on people.
