Internet Can’t Believe This Amputee Soldier Would Respond Like This To Muslim Man ‘Blowing Him Up’
Chris Herbert lost his leg in 2007, after a roadside bomb exploded next to his British Army vehicle in Basra, Iraq. Aged just 19 at the time, he also had to deal with the loss of his best friend, who died in the attack.
Such a tragic and traumatic experience would break many a man, leaving them bitter, twisted and full of hate. But not Chris. He has managed to retain a positive outlook on life, and refuses to let people drag him down.
With anti-Muslim sentiment on the rise in many western countries, some people saw a valuable propaganda tool in Chris. Look at what they did to this brave soldier who was serving his country! Except he was having none of it. Frustrated by the racism around him and people’s assumptions of him based on his experience, he decided enough was enough and wrote an eloquent piece that everyone should read. Expertly unpicking the case for judging billions of people based of the actions of a minority of extremists, Chris exposes the inherent stupidity of Islamophobia and urges people to see the good in each other instead.
Scroll down to read Chris’ thought provoking piece for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Chris Herbert lost his leg in 2007, after a roadside bomb exploded next to his British Army vehicle in Basra, Iraq
Image credits: Chris Herbert
Aged just 19 at the time, he also had to deal with the loss of his best friend, who died in the attack
Image credits: PA Images
Since the traumatic experience, he’s been continuously asked one question
Image credits: Lewis Whyld/PA Images
So he decided to explain his feelings in an honest and powerful Facebook post
The post went viral as people pushed back against anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK
Image credits: PA Images
Chris has managed to retain a positive outlook on life, and refuses to let people drag him down
Image credits: Chris Herbert
When an Islamophobic group tried to recruit him as a mascot for their organisation, it was the final straw
Image credits: Toe in the Water
And he just had to speak out
Image credits: Chris Herbert
People’s responses were mixed on the whole, but mostly positive
He's so right. Judge every person as an individual and by the things they do. Nothing else is relevant to determining whether a person is good or bad.
The only thing I judge people on is how they treat others. The way you treat other people (especially those who are different than yourself), is a true mark of just what sort of person you are.
Load More Replies...When I first saw this pic, the photo was cropped at the bottom. I thought it was a vacuum cleaner and he was supposed to be a genie in a tutu. Now it is a shark... still funny, but trying to figure out why he is wearing a tutu.
Load More Replies...Agree with everything, but I wish people would stop referring to Muslims as a race. Islam is a religion and can be practiced by people of any race. Discrimination against Muslims could be more accurately described as xenophobia, I think?
You must be in one of the privileged races to think this way. No, Islam isn’t a race but it’s not anti-racists who need to learn this. I am an Iranian atheist and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called a “Muzzie,” or been accused of doing something for “Allah,” or been told I’m part of some culture war or other b******t. Even after 9/11, people acted scared or violent. No Islam is not a race but racists are too stupid to understand that and will single you out BASED ON RACE to abuse or degrade you. It’s racism because they base it exactly on race, not us. They see a middle eastern person and decide we are Muslim by default. The people referring to Muslim as a race are the racists.
Load More Replies...Amazing young man. I could write paragraphs why, but this article says it all.
“With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.” ― Steven Weinberg
Load More Replies...A simple solution - Dont go attacking Muslim countries under the fake reason of "serving your country". Your f*****g country is in a different geographical location- serve it on its f*****g territory, fight crimes, fight pedophiles, fight your corrupt politicians and STAY THE F**K AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE's countries!
That took guts to say but it’s true. I am Iranian American and I totally agree.
Load More Replies...I hate all religion but not all the worshipers. I would have a hard time even hating the person who put the IED there. We would just be two people on different sides of a conflict.
People always say "you can't be racist against Islam", but a lot of the hate towards Muslims is stemming from their skin color, regardless of if people want to admit it or not. Sikhs and other brown people in general have been harassed/attacked by ignorant people who think they're Muslim.
Exactly. Anyone who looks middle eastern gets hate from racists, Muslim or not. That’s why it’s obviously stupid when people think they’re so smart for saying Muslim isn’t a race. People are such trash.
Load More Replies...Like I once said: mind your own health, business and life and everyone will be happier. Arnrdr srtrop jrurdrgerinrgr erverything. 99% don't give a s**t about your opinion anyway.
Me, too. I also love his beautiful German Shepherd!!
Load More Replies...who tf pushes someone in a wheelchair out of the way for a f*****g elevator lift. jesus christ
I used to work in an establishment where all 50+ residents of all ages were wheelchair bound due to injury/accidents/illness.It was humbling how they were not bitter about the event that caused them to be in that position. Whether it was the guy who's best arm yfriend shot him by accident, or the soldier who looked sideways whilst diving and broke his neck - right down to the guy who had been wheelchair bound for 50 years due to ill treatment in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. I salute them all
It upsets me when I hear about treating disabled people as less than human - am speechless at the thought of someone shoving a wheelchair aside
Load More Replies...You are an amazing young man! I try to imagine the world being as hate free as you. May God Bless you richly!!!
Ironically, your god hates those who don't worship it. Hypocrisy at its finest!
Load More Replies...Let us look at this whole thing from a different angle, because we have very short memories. The Iraq war was started on a lie. Goerge Bush, Condaleeza Rice, Colin Powell lied to the American people and to the world. What were the Brits doing in Iraq? Blowing up Muslims. A million Iraqis died and nobody even talks about it. This young man lost his leg because he was lied to by the American Government and the British Government.
I applaud this young man for his honesty. There were a few million of us in America who did not agree with the pursuit of this war. We got bin Laden; that should have been enough. It was not enough for D**k Cheney who had Iraq's oil fields mapped out before he convinced Bush to invade and occupy Iraq. Bush's father did not agree with Cheney. Bush wanted to be a "warrior" President like his father. That didn't stop him from running to New England where his father could stop his deployment to Iraq, unlike his situation in Texas. A war based on lies about WMD; a lie disputed by the U.N. inspectors we threw out of the country so we could go after their oil fields in Basra. A war which destroyed the infrastructure of a modern country. A war which caused its teachers, doctors et al to flee. A war which left us with several trillion dollars in debt while "W" gave his cronies tax breaks during an unfunded war. The worst President ever, until now. Trump will surpass "W".
Load More Replies...Late last century ( yes i am old enough to remember this ) in Ireland rabid christians where blowing up other christians. All sorts of victims kids, mums and dads, etc. The "logic" of Islamophobia would have us kill all the christians. So exactly what the man said. You cannot , Must not, judge people by the actions of someone else. I am sad for his injury. Amazed in a good way by his words. Be brave for life can be joyous. Wishing him joy in his life. And you in yours.
Religion is the root of all evil - from year dot - to the Crusades - the Spanish Inquisition - the Holocaust
Load More Replies...There's no such thing as human race, i think. No way the douchebag who would blow someone up in the first place, the d******d looking for propaganda material in other people's horrible accidents, and this wonderful, intelligent, kind hearted man belong to the same damn animal species.
This was war tho and their main objective is to make the other team surrender.
Load More Replies...Let's not forget about history. Nobody and I mean nobody has had the capacity, and willingness to kill their fellow man, more than supposed white Christians (i.e. think the crusades, the 30 years war, world war 1 and world war 2 etc. etc. etc. etc.). I am a white Christian. Look at the individual and not the group they are part of. nuff said.
"People’s responses were mixed on the whole..." Seriously?! There are that many people around who still harbour bigotted ideas despite his very clear and objective explanation of the complexities of race/religion? Westerners are a on the whole a pretty morally "mixed" bunch, when it's all boiled down...
By the way, +100 to Chris Herbert for his rational and considered attitude. The only handicapped people in this story are those who think and assume that he should be prejudiced against Muslims after his military injury. I'd happily buy this man a drink.
Load More Replies...Be the person you want to see in others - and that's exactly what he did.He saw something, was about to be used for something he didn't agree on and took a stand - and for that I say thank you We need more people like him.
I freaking LOVE him!!! How freaking amazing is this young man?! The world needs more people like him..this guy should be effing president! He's got my vote!!!
Thanks for standing up for love and not letting hate be part of your experience. It's inspirational. It's so wonderful to hear of someone not giving into groups who want to use your experience to bring down others. There are extremists in every group, the trick is to counter that with extreme love of humanity. Thanks for posting this. It helps me want to be better to my fellow humans!
Such a brave and wise young man. How wonderful our world would be without war !!!
I absolutely agree with this man. We cannot use the same measuring stick to gauge everyone. We cannot sum up a group of people by the inactions of one individual. I work with a Muslim lady and I tell you now she is a better human being than most. Considerate , kind, fun loving and humble person, respects other people's beliefs and religion and doesn't force her religion or belief down everyone's throats. I can assure you she has never bombed any place or even remotely considered it.
AMEN!! There are good people and there are bad people. Race has NOTHING to do with it!
There are also bad religions. Especially the ones that preach faith.
Load More Replies...Now, THAT is what a hero looks like. I am so in awe of his amazing soul. A local mosque invites the entire community to an iftar during Ramadan every year. I try to attend every year. The feeling of welcome is wonderful. The muslims invite us to ask any question we can think of. They say to us, "Do not worry about hurting our feelings. Nothing can hurt our feelings worse than the news every night." We need more people like this brave young veteran.
Who pushes away a wheelchair to use something 1st? It just goes to show that there are ALWAYS 2 sides to everything, everyone and every race. I hope Chris Herbert made a full recovery, physically and mentally. Keep going strong dude <3
Great spirit and heart. It's not that a religion or race or culture is bad, it is just people. They all have different kinds of people. We have to try to have an open mind and not be prejudiced. At times after a lot of negativeness, a simple act of kindness from a stranger gives hope. That there is good as well.
What a totally positive story. Right on. I've always said that about folks. The color of your skin does not determine your character. I know allot of messed up white folks and I'm white as they come. I know allot of very caring, spiritual Latin folks as well as Asian and Black. There are bad people of every color but there is always the flip side too, there are more GOOD than there are BAD, the bad just make the news more and puts the IDEA that a race or a section of town is ALL bad and that's just not the case at all.
This is a few years old now, but still good. People still need reminding
I clap my hands for his statement. Wished more people would understand that
"For anyone believing you can be racist against Islam, let me remind you, Islam is not a race." Approaching racism from a logical perspective 😃
That’s the point, buttercup. Racists are illogical. They’ll say they hate Islam but really what they hate is brown people. And they will attack non-Muslim middle eastern people for “being muzzie” even with no proof they are Muslim. 😒
Load More Replies...Great answer from this man. Muslim is not a race, though. It's a religion.
muslim is not a religion either, it's the name of a person who embraces islam
Load More Replies...My boyfriend posted a video together with a girl in his car in Instagram . When I confronted him, he said she is his colleague and nothing more. Should I believe him? Please help me.
Kay, what were they doing in the video? Does he have other female friends? It’s definitely normal for men and women coworkers to hang out and joke after work or during breaks. But it’s also okay to be skeptical and question the friendships your boyfriend has with other women. Most likely your boyfriend wouldn’t post a video of a girl in his car if he’s cheating on you with her, knowing you’d find out. But some men are jerks. Is your boyfriend nice? Trustworthy? How old are you guys?
Load More Replies...I like muslims womens,but I dont think I would trust much a muslim but,good or not,I dont hate them,i'm just scared of them so I rather stay away.
You’re wrong for that, and it does make you a bad and ignorant person on the inside. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not a bad person.
Load More Replies...Oh yes. Another self-loathing obtuse Brit. Completely ignoring the fact that his nation is slowly becoming a Sharia state, with proxy blasphemy laws designed to protect Islam & Muslims from criticism. And that the majority of Muslims aren't the heroes he makes them out to be. And that the majority of non-Muslims aren't the evil spawn he makes them out to be. Not to mention the fact that he thinks Islam is not a race.
It doesn't matter how the Muslims treat you, you can't be mad at them bc as an occupier who sent to Iraq to kill Muslims you deserved to be blow up or kill
He's so right. Judge every person as an individual and by the things they do. Nothing else is relevant to determining whether a person is good or bad.
The only thing I judge people on is how they treat others. The way you treat other people (especially those who are different than yourself), is a true mark of just what sort of person you are.
Load More Replies...When I first saw this pic, the photo was cropped at the bottom. I thought it was a vacuum cleaner and he was supposed to be a genie in a tutu. Now it is a shark... still funny, but trying to figure out why he is wearing a tutu.
Load More Replies...Agree with everything, but I wish people would stop referring to Muslims as a race. Islam is a religion and can be practiced by people of any race. Discrimination against Muslims could be more accurately described as xenophobia, I think?
You must be in one of the privileged races to think this way. No, Islam isn’t a race but it’s not anti-racists who need to learn this. I am an Iranian atheist and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called a “Muzzie,” or been accused of doing something for “Allah,” or been told I’m part of some culture war or other b******t. Even after 9/11, people acted scared or violent. No Islam is not a race but racists are too stupid to understand that and will single you out BASED ON RACE to abuse or degrade you. It’s racism because they base it exactly on race, not us. They see a middle eastern person and decide we are Muslim by default. The people referring to Muslim as a race are the racists.
Load More Replies...Amazing young man. I could write paragraphs why, but this article says it all.
“With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.” ― Steven Weinberg
Load More Replies...A simple solution - Dont go attacking Muslim countries under the fake reason of "serving your country". Your f*****g country is in a different geographical location- serve it on its f*****g territory, fight crimes, fight pedophiles, fight your corrupt politicians and STAY THE F**K AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE's countries!
That took guts to say but it’s true. I am Iranian American and I totally agree.
Load More Replies...I hate all religion but not all the worshipers. I would have a hard time even hating the person who put the IED there. We would just be two people on different sides of a conflict.
People always say "you can't be racist against Islam", but a lot of the hate towards Muslims is stemming from their skin color, regardless of if people want to admit it or not. Sikhs and other brown people in general have been harassed/attacked by ignorant people who think they're Muslim.
Exactly. Anyone who looks middle eastern gets hate from racists, Muslim or not. That’s why it’s obviously stupid when people think they’re so smart for saying Muslim isn’t a race. People are such trash.
Load More Replies...Like I once said: mind your own health, business and life and everyone will be happier. Arnrdr srtrop jrurdrgerinrgr erverything. 99% don't give a s**t about your opinion anyway.
Me, too. I also love his beautiful German Shepherd!!
Load More Replies...who tf pushes someone in a wheelchair out of the way for a f*****g elevator lift. jesus christ
I used to work in an establishment where all 50+ residents of all ages were wheelchair bound due to injury/accidents/illness.It was humbling how they were not bitter about the event that caused them to be in that position. Whether it was the guy who's best arm yfriend shot him by accident, or the soldier who looked sideways whilst diving and broke his neck - right down to the guy who had been wheelchair bound for 50 years due to ill treatment in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. I salute them all
It upsets me when I hear about treating disabled people as less than human - am speechless at the thought of someone shoving a wheelchair aside
Load More Replies...You are an amazing young man! I try to imagine the world being as hate free as you. May God Bless you richly!!!
Ironically, your god hates those who don't worship it. Hypocrisy at its finest!
Load More Replies...Let us look at this whole thing from a different angle, because we have very short memories. The Iraq war was started on a lie. Goerge Bush, Condaleeza Rice, Colin Powell lied to the American people and to the world. What were the Brits doing in Iraq? Blowing up Muslims. A million Iraqis died and nobody even talks about it. This young man lost his leg because he was lied to by the American Government and the British Government.
I applaud this young man for his honesty. There were a few million of us in America who did not agree with the pursuit of this war. We got bin Laden; that should have been enough. It was not enough for D**k Cheney who had Iraq's oil fields mapped out before he convinced Bush to invade and occupy Iraq. Bush's father did not agree with Cheney. Bush wanted to be a "warrior" President like his father. That didn't stop him from running to New England where his father could stop his deployment to Iraq, unlike his situation in Texas. A war based on lies about WMD; a lie disputed by the U.N. inspectors we threw out of the country so we could go after their oil fields in Basra. A war which destroyed the infrastructure of a modern country. A war which caused its teachers, doctors et al to flee. A war which left us with several trillion dollars in debt while "W" gave his cronies tax breaks during an unfunded war. The worst President ever, until now. Trump will surpass "W".
Load More Replies...Late last century ( yes i am old enough to remember this ) in Ireland rabid christians where blowing up other christians. All sorts of victims kids, mums and dads, etc. The "logic" of Islamophobia would have us kill all the christians. So exactly what the man said. You cannot , Must not, judge people by the actions of someone else. I am sad for his injury. Amazed in a good way by his words. Be brave for life can be joyous. Wishing him joy in his life. And you in yours.
Religion is the root of all evil - from year dot - to the Crusades - the Spanish Inquisition - the Holocaust
Load More Replies...There's no such thing as human race, i think. No way the douchebag who would blow someone up in the first place, the d******d looking for propaganda material in other people's horrible accidents, and this wonderful, intelligent, kind hearted man belong to the same damn animal species.
This was war tho and their main objective is to make the other team surrender.
Load More Replies...Let's not forget about history. Nobody and I mean nobody has had the capacity, and willingness to kill their fellow man, more than supposed white Christians (i.e. think the crusades, the 30 years war, world war 1 and world war 2 etc. etc. etc. etc.). I am a white Christian. Look at the individual and not the group they are part of. nuff said.
"People’s responses were mixed on the whole..." Seriously?! There are that many people around who still harbour bigotted ideas despite his very clear and objective explanation of the complexities of race/religion? Westerners are a on the whole a pretty morally "mixed" bunch, when it's all boiled down...
By the way, +100 to Chris Herbert for his rational and considered attitude. The only handicapped people in this story are those who think and assume that he should be prejudiced against Muslims after his military injury. I'd happily buy this man a drink.
Load More Replies...Be the person you want to see in others - and that's exactly what he did.He saw something, was about to be used for something he didn't agree on and took a stand - and for that I say thank you We need more people like him.
I freaking LOVE him!!! How freaking amazing is this young man?! The world needs more people like him..this guy should be effing president! He's got my vote!!!
Thanks for standing up for love and not letting hate be part of your experience. It's inspirational. It's so wonderful to hear of someone not giving into groups who want to use your experience to bring down others. There are extremists in every group, the trick is to counter that with extreme love of humanity. Thanks for posting this. It helps me want to be better to my fellow humans!
Such a brave and wise young man. How wonderful our world would be without war !!!
I absolutely agree with this man. We cannot use the same measuring stick to gauge everyone. We cannot sum up a group of people by the inactions of one individual. I work with a Muslim lady and I tell you now she is a better human being than most. Considerate , kind, fun loving and humble person, respects other people's beliefs and religion and doesn't force her religion or belief down everyone's throats. I can assure you she has never bombed any place or even remotely considered it.
AMEN!! There are good people and there are bad people. Race has NOTHING to do with it!
There are also bad religions. Especially the ones that preach faith.
Load More Replies...Now, THAT is what a hero looks like. I am so in awe of his amazing soul. A local mosque invites the entire community to an iftar during Ramadan every year. I try to attend every year. The feeling of welcome is wonderful. The muslims invite us to ask any question we can think of. They say to us, "Do not worry about hurting our feelings. Nothing can hurt our feelings worse than the news every night." We need more people like this brave young veteran.
Who pushes away a wheelchair to use something 1st? It just goes to show that there are ALWAYS 2 sides to everything, everyone and every race. I hope Chris Herbert made a full recovery, physically and mentally. Keep going strong dude <3
Great spirit and heart. It's not that a religion or race or culture is bad, it is just people. They all have different kinds of people. We have to try to have an open mind and not be prejudiced. At times after a lot of negativeness, a simple act of kindness from a stranger gives hope. That there is good as well.
What a totally positive story. Right on. I've always said that about folks. The color of your skin does not determine your character. I know allot of messed up white folks and I'm white as they come. I know allot of very caring, spiritual Latin folks as well as Asian and Black. There are bad people of every color but there is always the flip side too, there are more GOOD than there are BAD, the bad just make the news more and puts the IDEA that a race or a section of town is ALL bad and that's just not the case at all.
This is a few years old now, but still good. People still need reminding
I clap my hands for his statement. Wished more people would understand that
"For anyone believing you can be racist against Islam, let me remind you, Islam is not a race." Approaching racism from a logical perspective 😃
That’s the point, buttercup. Racists are illogical. They’ll say they hate Islam but really what they hate is brown people. And they will attack non-Muslim middle eastern people for “being muzzie” even with no proof they are Muslim. 😒
Load More Replies...Great answer from this man. Muslim is not a race, though. It's a religion.
muslim is not a religion either, it's the name of a person who embraces islam
Load More Replies...My boyfriend posted a video together with a girl in his car in Instagram . When I confronted him, he said she is his colleague and nothing more. Should I believe him? Please help me.
Kay, what were they doing in the video? Does he have other female friends? It’s definitely normal for men and women coworkers to hang out and joke after work or during breaks. But it’s also okay to be skeptical and question the friendships your boyfriend has with other women. Most likely your boyfriend wouldn’t post a video of a girl in his car if he’s cheating on you with her, knowing you’d find out. But some men are jerks. Is your boyfriend nice? Trustworthy? How old are you guys?
Load More Replies...I like muslims womens,but I dont think I would trust much a muslim but,good or not,I dont hate them,i'm just scared of them so I rather stay away.
You’re wrong for that, and it does make you a bad and ignorant person on the inside. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not a bad person.
Load More Replies...Oh yes. Another self-loathing obtuse Brit. Completely ignoring the fact that his nation is slowly becoming a Sharia state, with proxy blasphemy laws designed to protect Islam & Muslims from criticism. And that the majority of Muslims aren't the heroes he makes them out to be. And that the majority of non-Muslims aren't the evil spawn he makes them out to be. Not to mention the fact that he thinks Islam is not a race.
It doesn't matter how the Muslims treat you, you can't be mad at them bc as an occupier who sent to Iraq to kill Muslims you deserved to be blow up or kill
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