The wedding was incredible, easily the best day of my life. The honeymoon was a continuation of just that; 2 weeks in heaven to start off a wonderful marriage. I've got lots to talk about both of those matters, but given the significance of today's date I'm going to talk about one particular thing that happened while we were off on our honeymoon.
We were returning to our hotel one night and as we got out of the cab and walked to the entrance of the hotel a young guy (I'd say late 20s) holding a drink came up alongside me and said "hey pal." I looked at him at which point he said "I thought you were Osama's brother." I ignored him and walked away.
Now I was born in this country, I'm a U.S. citizen, I pay my taxes, I donate to charities, I vote, I contribute to the economy, I love my country and I wouldn't rather move to any other place, yet for the first time in my life I felt foreign than night. I felt unwelcome in the country that I had the right to be in, I had just as much right to be there as the guy who made me feel so very wrong for being there yet because of his one line I felt like I truly didn't belong. I didn't think something like that would bother me so much, after all I'm pretty good about taking things as light hearted as possible, but that one incident struck home.
And I began to wonder, had I just been really lucky since 9/11? Were there more people like him who would see me and based on the color of my skin would brand me a terrorist? What made me any less of an American than him? Haven't we been through this before? I thought the civil rights movement brought forth the idea that we can't just single out a group of people based on the color of their skin. For the first time in my life I wanted to leave, I wanted to be at home and I didn't want that home to be here.
It may not seem like much, after all it was just a 5 second interaction with some drunk jerk; drunk people say things all the time, get over it right? Well I am over it, but that isn't to say that I'm afraid of something like that happening again. I've said it before, that it all boils down to education and understanding of people and cultures other than our own.
Muslims don't hate Americans, that's just not how things work. My mom is a muslim and she'd never hurt a fly, she cried at 9/11, she donated to the relief fund, she condemned those who did it - just like everyone else. She isn't a fanatic, I'd say she follows the Qua-ran like many people follow the Bible, she doesn't interpret it strictly but she takes it to be a set of morals that she attempts to uphold in her daily life. And to those who don't believe it, must muslims are just like that. They don't walk around with AK-47s plotting ways to attack the West, they lead normal lives and have normal families just like everyone else. I've been to Iran around 5 times now, the only current example of a true Islamic state - did I see people running through the streets plotting to kill Americans? No, I saw normal people doing normal things. Sure their customs are different, but none of those customs include hating Americans. Yet I read through some of the discussions that happen online, even in our own forums, and I'm disgusted. I read statements of people who are clearly ignorant of what they are talking about, attacking people and cultures they don't understand. What if we were all judged by the acts of the D.C. sniper, McVeigh or Dahlmer? Everyone would think that any American was a crazed mass murdering psycho.
As I write this, I'm worried that my point won't get across, that everything I've said here will be dismissed at the hatred will continue. I was just as angry as anyone when the towers fell, I wanted to see someone pay, I wanted revenge - but we must all understand that the revenge isn't against every middle easterner you see. A group of people hated our government, so they took that anger and hatred not out on the government, but on over 3000 innocent people. What sense does it make to attack that group of people by targeting those that honestly have nothing to do with it, some of which are just as American as anyone else in this country.
Today we should all remember the tragedy of 9/11, but we must also remember not to let one tragedy lead us to another one. American doesn't mean white; keep in mind how this country was founded, the melting pot has evolved to include a few new shades but the fact remains the same that we are all Americans. I may not look like everyone else, but I feel the same attachment to this country - please don't make me feel unwelcome.
Take care.
We were returning to our hotel one night and as we got out of the cab and walked to the entrance of the hotel a young guy (I'd say late 20s) holding a drink came up alongside me and said "hey pal." I looked at him at which point he said "I thought you were Osama's brother." I ignored him and walked away.
Now I was born in this country, I'm a U.S. citizen, I pay my taxes, I donate to charities, I vote, I contribute to the economy, I love my country and I wouldn't rather move to any other place, yet for the first time in my life I felt foreign than night. I felt unwelcome in the country that I had the right to be in, I had just as much right to be there as the guy who made me feel so very wrong for being there yet because of his one line I felt like I truly didn't belong. I didn't think something like that would bother me so much, after all I'm pretty good about taking things as light hearted as possible, but that one incident struck home.
And I began to wonder, had I just been really lucky since 9/11? Were there more people like him who would see me and based on the color of my skin would brand me a terrorist? What made me any less of an American than him? Haven't we been through this before? I thought the civil rights movement brought forth the idea that we can't just single out a group of people based on the color of their skin. For the first time in my life I wanted to leave, I wanted to be at home and I didn't want that home to be here.
It may not seem like much, after all it was just a 5 second interaction with some drunk jerk; drunk people say things all the time, get over it right? Well I am over it, but that isn't to say that I'm afraid of something like that happening again. I've said it before, that it all boils down to education and understanding of people and cultures other than our own.
Muslims don't hate Americans, that's just not how things work. My mom is a muslim and she'd never hurt a fly, she cried at 9/11, she donated to the relief fund, she condemned those who did it - just like everyone else. She isn't a fanatic, I'd say she follows the Qua-ran like many people follow the Bible, she doesn't interpret it strictly but she takes it to be a set of morals that she attempts to uphold in her daily life. And to those who don't believe it, must muslims are just like that. They don't walk around with AK-47s plotting ways to attack the West, they lead normal lives and have normal families just like everyone else. I've been to Iran around 5 times now, the only current example of a true Islamic state - did I see people running through the streets plotting to kill Americans? No, I saw normal people doing normal things. Sure their customs are different, but none of those customs include hating Americans. Yet I read through some of the discussions that happen online, even in our own forums, and I'm disgusted. I read statements of people who are clearly ignorant of what they are talking about, attacking people and cultures they don't understand. What if we were all judged by the acts of the D.C. sniper, McVeigh or Dahlmer? Everyone would think that any American was a crazed mass murdering psycho.
As I write this, I'm worried that my point won't get across, that everything I've said here will be dismissed at the hatred will continue. I was just as angry as anyone when the towers fell, I wanted to see someone pay, I wanted revenge - but we must all understand that the revenge isn't against every middle easterner you see. A group of people hated our government, so they took that anger and hatred not out on the government, but on over 3000 innocent people. What sense does it make to attack that group of people by targeting those that honestly have nothing to do with it, some of which are just as American as anyone else in this country.
Today we should all remember the tragedy of 9/11, but we must also remember not to let one tragedy lead us to another one. American doesn't mean white; keep in mind how this country was founded, the melting pot has evolved to include a few new shades but the fact remains the same that we are all Americans. I may not look like everyone else, but I feel the same attachment to this country - please don't make me feel unwelcome.
Take care.
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Angry - Thursday, September 23, 2004 - link
Next time you go to Iran ask a local what they think of Jews. Then you will see hate. Ask them if they ever met one? Ask them how they know to hate them? Normal life? Different customs? Ask someone over there to condem some of the things done in the name of Islam and see what happens. Read some of the text books about history. See what you think about it then.Islam takes the greatest gift we got, "free will" and shuts the door on it. It easy to become a Muslim (they teach you the Quran AFTER you convert) but they have the right to murder you if you change your mind and want to leave. Enlightened yet?
Anonymous - Thursday, September 23, 2004 - link
#171You are a complete Idiot. You display your Ignorance of history.
“I call on Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus to unite only than can we be a powerful force”.
Do you know what happened to the Sikhs under Muslim rule? Ever heard of the martyrdom of the Sikh Guru? Ever heard of the destruction of Hindu temples and suppression of Hindus by Muslim rulers or Muslim Invaders? Do the names Aurangazeb, Mohammed Gawri etc ring a bell? Are you aware of the millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs massacred during the communal violence that followed the partitioning of India (A genocide that makes the Nazi holocaust pale in comparison) ? Are you aware of the hundreds of Sikh’s killed in the riots that followed the death of Indira Ghandi? Or the thousands of Hindu Pundits killed by Muslims in Kashmir? Heard of the Gujarat riots?
Clean up your own house, right the wrongs you have done to each other, then you may consider the wrongs done by others
Cathy - Thursday, September 23, 2004 - link
#171Your the exact kind of bonehead that feeds anger. Worst part is, you are so simple as to think "the West" or "White males" are to blame for
for the "death and horror around the world".
Seems most countries were hard at that long before our 200 year old country had much international influence. Thats not to say the U.S. hasn't made mistakes and won't in the future, but you can count whatever luck stares you and your country have, that the U.S. is generally a non-aggressor nation.
And if you don't believe that, ask yourself what country or for that matter 5 countries of any region in the world could withstand a truely agressive and ruthless U.S.
I won't try to explain that no other country even comes close to giving as much money or capital goods to nations in trouble as the U.S. And I wouldn't try to explain to you that americans, including White-Western-Males, have no deficit in morals or heart as compared to someone as enlighted as yourself. Americans simply have fought for what they have and will not shy away from any SOB who thinks he can "take the power back".
I suggest you bring all your friend with all thier balls if you think you can!
Trog - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
Hey, at least I learned *something* from all this. I though Anand was of Indian decent. Come to find out he's Iranian decent. Not that it really matters, but it's good to know a little more about the wiz-kid that has been preaching the gospel of computer hardware for so many years! For what it's worth, Anand, I think you're a great guy and are more of an American than many of us. Hell, you're living the American Dream!On a side note, this is one more reason for the Qua-ram and Bible to condemn drunkeness. As bad as the whole 9/11 situation was, not to mention the US retaliation, more people are killed every year by drunk drivers than by both combined. If anyone actually reads this, please give up alcohol, or at the very least drink in moderation. Drinking to get drunk is dumber than buying software and hardware without doing any research - and that's pretty freaking dumb. :)
We love you Anand. Down with stupid people!!!
No - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
Bleh 168. White males have caused so much death and horror around the world. Go to almost any country brown, black, yellow. India, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq we have all been raped up the ass by colonialist, racialist oppressors. This is our common thread and it is something whites will never understand. To walk in your own cities as a human being with the rights of an animal. I have no pity for your people. Just look at America's history. Genocide followed by enslavement. Can't you respect or get along with any race?People say that was 50/100/200/whatever number of years ago but those scars remain. The amount of wealth taken out of these countries borders on ridiculous and their self-esteem has been ruined. Why are there white models on every billboard in Asia and Western companies raping for profits all over the world?
We have to take the power back. Sadly that is what the West has made this world. A war. I call on Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus to unite only than can we be a powerful force.
Especially Hindu's. We have no balls. Anand how did you take that crap from that redneck worm? I would have dropped his ass right there and then. If white liberals wish to join us, so be it. You are the only people with any morals or heart in Western society. It is time for a new world order where all are truely equal.
Josh - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
Anand, as a Indian myself I know exactly how you feel. Dude don't let that drunk mofo ruin your fun. You are a well respected and talented guy. Just brush the haters off. Good Luck bro.Ano - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
Can we please get a small violin playing for karna 168 here.
karna - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
hey anand-don't know if you're still reading this but wanted to say first I've been visiting your site since it was a little baby, attempting to break out and make a name for itself among the many. so far so good.
as for your experience, i can say that i have felt the same thing. no i am not muslim or even dark-skinned, but a white male.
i grew up in a strict vendanta hindu system, spending a number of years in india and learning most of the scriptures including the gita, bhagavatam, etc. Some of the teachings are indeed clearly anti-western, which has always been represented as focussing solely on the materialistic benefits rather than those that are spiritual. in a sense, i can see how certain muslim extremists would interpret their teachings as justification to do whatever is necessary to protect their culture and people from the influences of the west.
this extremism is the same ignorance, although in a different form, that you experienced. we as americans have the same responsibility to educate our people to tolerate and accept these foreign cultures and people that the people of muslim countries should have to educate their own about american people and cultures. it is obvious that failure exists on both sides.
i have experienced racism first-hand, just casually walking down a street downtown and having a bunch of "minority" young men loudly voice as I walked by their distaste for the white man. naturally i ignored their crap, but as with you, it made me think. it caused me to wonder next time their's a vote, am i going to vote to give minorities exceptions? but wait, who is the minority anyway? things have changed, and i think a lot of white folks are getting a little bit tired of having nothing to claim pride in.
just as 3dfx was once viewed as the powerhouse of the video card industry, the white man was seen as having been born with the silver spoon. no breaks were to be given and any laws that could be created to chip away at that percieved priviledge was gladly accepted as the politically-correct thing to do. however, this is no longer the case. in many areas, caucasians are no longer the majority yet they still have to deal with laws and regulations that are put into place solely to aid what was previously considered the minority groups.
its hard to find a bumper sticker that says "caucasian and proud!" or hear people go to a cultural event that displays with pride, historical cultural practices of the caucasian. these are just not things that "white people do". we go to events celebrating OTHER cultures, made of people wearing clothing from OTHER cultures, playing instruments and singing in OTHER languages, about the pride of history of ANOTHER country. I can go on.
The point is that there is a gap in culture when it comes to most caucasians and that gap is bound to be filled with something unfortunate if not attended to. I believe many ignorant caucasians like to mock and put down other race simply because they really dont have anything to take pride in. Surely there are cultures that come from individual european countries, but most caucasians are made of up at least 2 or 3 different sources so no one culture is THE culture.
This big white empty space needs to be filled with something that has substance and I dont really believe it has to be anything cultural or country-based. Its really all about education. If we can take the good and the valuable from each culture that is 'imported' into the US by its immigrants, then we will all share the benefits. But as long as individuals from other countries continue to huddle into their own little communal or cultural groups, and in doing so distancing themselves from the rest of us, there will be a lingering discomfort among the general white public in regards to just how American our current wave of immigrants really are.
Anonymous - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
"To Hameed Post#5"BTW Anand, when you said "My mom is a muslim" I assume your father isn't? How could they get married then?"
Hameed, the reason you people live in crap is because you think like that, but that's ok, soon all of you will be living in democracy or be dead.
Seriously dude, they went to fucking City Hall and
signed marriage papers, moved in together had a baby, thats how. You know, non-muslims are homosapince too."
If you know any piece of religion, you do know that in some religions it is forbidden to marry outside the religion. If you are a hard-lined jew, muslim, catholic or whatever, it is often impossible, from parents pressure or whatever, to marry anyone from a distant religion. The question Hameed asked was a question, not an insult, as you took it.
Not all countries have freedom of religion, but following your own religion isn't exactly illegal, as long as it doesn't break any other laws.
Trevoga - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - link
I've seen a lot of disturbing posts here. You guys are too sencetive. So you were called Osama or ignorant, big deal. I use to get my ass beat down because of my nationality. You should have kicked his butt or told him to go back to his trailer park.It's not like you don't pay your fucking taxes.
To Hameed Post#5
"BTW Anand, when you said "My mom is a muslim" I assume your father isn't? How could they get married then?"
Hameed, the reason you people live in crap is because you think like that, but that's ok, soon all of you will be living in democracy or be dead.
Seriously dude, they went to fucking City Hall and
signed marriage papers, moved in together had a baby, thats how. You know, non-muslims are homosapince too.