story9120.xml

story9120.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-03-03

It was my Junior year at the University of Michigan and classes had only been underway a little over a week. Barely awake, I dragged myself to class for yet another day of Arabic Grammar; not quite my idea of a good time. Class was from 8-10:30am, and we went about business as usual. It wasn't until after class, on my way to lunch, that I first heard of anything that was going on. A student ran by us as we waited for the cafeteria to open "We're under attack!" Confused, we all went into the lounge where there were about 25 people huddled around the television; the World Trade Center Tower was on fire...then, we saw the second plane smash into the second tower. I was in shock.

My first thought was "please God, don't let it be Arabs or Muslims who did this," for I knew all too well what the repurcussions would be if that turned out to be true. Stereotypes already abound here in the States, the "land of the free" and "home of the brave," and all I needed as an Arab-American was to be thrown into a collective scapegoating gauntlet as people's dispositions quickly changed from shock to anger. Being a Muslim, I know that Islam is a religion of peace, love, and respect. No Muslim would ever do such a thing where so many innocents would be killed. Nevertheless, the media was was quick to paint Muslims as ruthless killers and as dangers to society, save a pathetic footnote stating otherwise. In general, people were quick to feel that Muslims must hate the United States. Yet, what I did not see was an active attempt on the part of most people to look into reasons for such hatred, or research into the Muslim faith to see if roots for such violence or hatred exist. Clearly, if one were to conduct such research, Islam strictly forbids such acts of violence and aggression.

I must say, however, that I did see an unexpected effort by many people to learn more about Islam and to question the attackers motivations for such actions. In the wake of things, I didn't personally suffer any serious violations of my personal or civil rights. However, I know of many, many others who have. Furthermore, with the passing of the Patriot Act, and other such legislation, the rights of US citizens are being compromised every day in the name of "the war on terror." What is happening instead is the singling out of Arabs and Muslims all over the country, the denial of their rights, and the gross mistreatment of them and their families. I feel like I am being constantly watched. I was born and raised in the USA, and I don't even feel like I am home. People give us wierd, suspicious looks, the "random checks" at the airport always happen to pick me, and the government reigns free to trample upon and bury the most basic rights that our forefathers died to establish as the roots of this great democratic nation.

As I stand today, I am confused. I am sickened by the liberties taken by the government in order to create the illusion of protecting the people. I am disgusted by the violations of civil and human rights that occur every day. I am beyond tired of the media and its very biased and selective coverage of news events. And I am uncomfortable because I feel like a stranger in my own country. This is the land of no colors, the home of diversity, or at least it is supposed to be. Rather, what I have known to be a segregated and divided country is even moreso now than ever. I don't understand how we are all supposed to live in peace when we are always doubting and questioning our neighbors. What about innocent until proven guilty? Evidently, Bush and co. thinks it okay to compromise these basic tenets that have upheld our justice system for so long and replace them with "guilty until proven innocent." How conveniently dyslexia can come into play...

Honestly, with Ashcroft trying to dip his greasy fingers into every piece of legislation coming across congress' table, I am deeply concerned about the future of America. Once we start to compromise the rights and freedoms the Constitution guarantees each and every one of us, then the great ideas this country was based on become just that; ideas. Memories. The past. We are on a road to nowhere my friends, and what makes this country so great will soon change, and you may as well move to a socialist country.

But I hope to God that doesn't happen. I hope the American people will realize that once the rights of one group of people go, it leaves the door wide open for them to be next. Freedom, liberty, and justice for all cannot be compromised for fear, loathing, and insecurity. What needs changed is foreign policy and the way in which we deal with the Middle East and the rest of the world. Perhaps then so many people won't hate us...

September 11th, 2001 sure changed many things...for me, it opened my eyes a little more than they were before. Let's not be afraid to learn from one another people...we're all the same in the end anyways....

Wishing everyone peace and happiness...