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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Anonymous - Friday, September 17, 2004 - link
if you go to the redneck forums, you'll be a happier person too! lolKrazyDawg - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#123You are one ignornant, insensitive, indifference, and selfish [insert word here].
Richard - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Hmmm. I sense too much protest here about my comments. Maybe I hit a nerve. The truth can be painful at times but I think if you embrace it fully you will be a much happier person.Signal - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#114My bad. I forgot that you, Mr. Anonmymous #114, are the sole proprietor of all that is true, correct, and wise. Everyone else needs to "go get some education".
Right...
The U.S. foreign policies are the sole generator of terrorism around the world... Sure.
The U.S. is the only country who sells weapons and training to other groups... ah, sure.
The fighter jets dug out of the sand in Iraq were what again? MIGs? I guess America makes MIGs as well. Right
I'm sure you'll find a way to say the U.S. created the IRA as well.
#114... give me a break. When is the last time Isreal blew up a car bomb in Palestine? Oh yeah, never. Rather, it's the Palestinians who are using terrorism tactics.
I'll tell you want #114. I'll make it real easy for you. Tell me the name of another super power who has a better track record than the U.S. in regards to foreign policy and helping create freedom around the world. Give me the name of a country that gives away more money, medicine, and food around the globe than the U.S. Tell me which country's education system educates more people worldwide?
Has the U.S. been perfect? Of course not. No country run by humans will be. But to make it out as though America is the current great evil of the world is sickening. I'm glad I wasn't "educated" where you were.
icedrop - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#104i dont know what kind of drug are you taking... but that is the most demented kind of mindset i have ever seen.
George - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
FOr Richard - Post #104:You're a dick. Go away. Since the Reagan years the US has done nothing but piss off the entire middle east.
To put some perspective on things, one of the principles the US was founded upon was
freedom of religion. Not all muslims are terrorists, just as not all blacks are lazy, or not all irish are drunks, or all poles are stupid, or all ___ are ___.
The general mark of an uneducated person is one who makes and follows such generalizations.
I'm sure this has been expressed adequately. But: Richard - you're a dick. Go away.
Anonymous - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#116: My comments were for Richard, post #104. Got confused a bit. Heh... :)My apologies.
BoomBoom - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
I know everyboy here wants world peace and love for mankind. Well, WAKEUP!!! It's not going to happen!Most people in the middle east do not like America. They may like individuals that are from America, but the country itself is a target.
I have read several sites translated from arabic and english publications for an eastern audience. They do polls just like CNN and it shows most of them think we had it coming and Osama is a Hero!
It is few on both side who are enlightened and realize that we are all the same race. If you believe you are an American then you better stand up for yourself and to the bullies you may encounter. Freedom doesn't come free. Don't be a pussy or you deserve what you get.
PS I am not a Christian, Muslim, Jew, or etc.
I don't care what your race or religion is pal.
Anonymous - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#104, You are with us or against us.... This is the drunk type that votes for Bush. Get some perspective before bullshitting.....#114 You could mention that Israel has violated several UN resolutions (one of the arguments used against Iraq) and nobody does anything about it. US would veto any action in the security council. As for WMD, Israel has it also. Just another argument used against Iraq.
And you are absolutely right about US supporting groups outside US that turn into trouble later. This was done also a lot in Latin America during the 60/70s, when US supported/financed the right wing military ditactorships that executed people in the opposition. Just name the country: Chile, Panama, Argentina...... All of this is well documented and exposed after democracy was established.
Anonymous - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#115 Lol.. read the post crefully. My comments were directed to #112 and have nothing to do with Anand. I agree with Anand 100%