Thursday 20 April at 19:30 GMT:
In 2009, Richard “Mac” McKinney was an American military veteran battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after touring in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once back in civilian life in Muncie, Indiana, McKinney’s anger toward Muslims—the Islamophobic ideology shaped by his time in the military—takes a dangerous new turn.
He wanted to bomb a local mosque.
McKinney’s story is told in the documentary short “Stranger at the Door,” which was nominated for an Oscar this year. McKinney intended to gather intelligence about local Muslims at the Muncie Islamic Center, and they welcomed McKinney into their community with compassion and kindness. Over time, he decided not to carry out his bomb plot, converted to Islam and eventually became the chairman of the Islamic Center.
“Stranger at the Door” director Josh Seftel said the film is ultimately about overcoming hatred and finding common ground with others. This is a much-needed message for an increasingly polarized world.
In this episode of The Stream, we talk to the characters from “The Stranger at the Door.”
On this episode of The Stream, we interview:
Bibi Barami
President of Muncie Islamic Center
McKinney
Life Coach and Public Speaker
Joshua Seftel, @JSetel
Director of “The Stranger at the Door”
