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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jrphoenix - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#104 is the next drunk ignoramous.... or just a hardcore ditto head. Obviously, you have never felt discriminated againt. If a moron makes him feel unwelcome, even though Anand was born here... Anand should leave? What a moron.Richard - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Oh damn! Another website I used to like. I used to enjoy Firing Squad until an editor there shamelessly started to push his far left agenda. Don't make the same mistake. Anand, this country owes you nothing. If America makes you feel unwelcome, leave.Now that I know your idealogy I can not take for granted the articles in here are 100 percent accurate anymore. Thanks a lot!
Please in the future don't let your bias or political position be known. I now feel you are arrogant and naive. Please don't further make me hate your website.
catch77 - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Anand, congrats on getting hitched.but don't be naive. I don't say this to be insulting or to belittle you. for someone who was born in this country you seem to know little about it. I also tend to agree with #31, although I know that the contry is not built by any one person, or in any given amount of time. excessive pride comes from ignorance, but at the same time you have to take with humilty that you add to 'building' and making this country by virtue of being an American.
Anonymous - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Also check www.ihatealqaeda.comdaniel - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Here is another website which makes it clear that the terrorists are not muslims in any way as they are definitely not acting upon the teaching of the Holy Koran and infact have distorted the meanings to serve their own sick agenda! http://www.voy.com/96956/WarMonger - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Anybody miss the good old days where it was just us against the Russians?Didn't matter what color or religion. It was commies vs capitalist.
AnnieNonMouse - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
Choose your poison:Bush: Dumbass Cowboy -- Wants to meet Osama at high-noon. Shoot'em all and let god sort it out.
Kerry: Oily Used Car Salesman -- Confuse everybody with bullshit and cash the check before the voter realizes he's been had.
Thermonuclear War: Tired of all the bullshit. Lets press the red button baby! Doctor Strangelove here i come.
Anonymous512 - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
I have to tell you I have mixed feelings.My first feeling is that the drunk that bothered you had no balls - he said his piece just to upset you, to ruin your day (or try to) and left. Once I got over his rudeness, I would have told him to go shove and how to do it. Psychic parasites. Sheesh.
A while after 9-11 happened, we had some idiot out here in Oregon (in Eugene south of me) that walked up to a Sikh lady in a turban with his hand shaped like a pistol and menacingly said "Bang your dead". He got arrested, tried to say it was a joke. I hope they threw him in the klink for awhile for intimidation. I know the police and the DA were taking it very seriously.
On the other hand.....
Understand that I have never read the Quran but what little I know about Islam it seems predisposed to marry church and state.
I am hungry - personally as a non-muslim American for a...a decision tree? a consensus? to emerge in the Islamic faith that proclaims and makes a statement, that... as a faith, it will not stand by and let the vehicle of the faith be hijacked by ... "nutbars". A statement that builds into the faith that it is/does or will flat out disown violence. That the end does not justify the means, regardless of sympathy the Palestinian question.
I will not be liked on either side for saying various things here but..I have read the history on it, and the way it was done, that land was stolen from the Palestinians. I don't know what the answer is but what's happening now is not working.
I believe if people have enough to eat, security, safety and a future, if they get educated they generally don't have a desire to become terrorists. Heck you have a decent job and a pretty signifigant other/family/friends ..who wants to hate anyone? You have your own life.
The crop for todays terrorists was sown a long time ago partly by no-questions asked American polices regarding the Saudi regime in exchange for oil. The disparity of riches and poverty there. This has been coming for 40 years. Sad but true. It's like my stepmother said one time: "People get funny, when it comes to money..". And I like money - dont get me wrong but...
Compassion and generosity have to come forward in this world or we will all disappear. The world has an incredible situation to defuse - I don't know if it can be done.
Haroon Saleem - Thursday, September 16, 2004 - link
#14. I think it is extremeley ignorant on your part to think that almost all terrosits are Muslims.Your views of the world seem to be based on the tunnel vision that the American media tries to project. If you would take the time to read a little more you would realize that there are several other terrorist/militant organizations around the world. Perhaps you have heard of the IRA in Ireland? Did you know that in any given year (except for 2001) the highest amount of people killed at the hands of militants are in Sri Lanka by the Tamil Tigers who happen to be Hindu.
There are black sheep in every community and it's about time that we stop basing our views on the fabricated reality presented by the media. It never hurts to read as much as we can and look for other news sources than what is being broadcast in America.
Anonymous - Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - link
#90, That was one of the most ignorant rants that I have read in recent memory. I congratulate you.I should say that you seem really repressed, almost hostile. Perhaps you need an enema.