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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Tom - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
#143 People don't ask why 911 happened any more than they ask why the Oklahoma city bombing happened. Because there is no answer that can justify what happened. In reality, both were an attempt by self-deluded individuals to cause a revolution by slaughtering innocents.To say that 911 happened because of the U.S. presence in Saudi Arabia or Palestinian struggle is to buy into a lunatic's argument. Go back and see how skillfully Hitler, Stalin and Saddam manipulated the world around them by telling the big lie and sticking to it.
If we cut off all support for Israel and withdrew our presence in the Middle East, do you think that would appease the religious zealots like al-Qaeda? No, there would be some other reason that we are at fault and we would continue to pay.
realist - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
why 9/11 started because of Israel and Palestinian think about itAnonymous - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
I find American's amazing...why don't Americans stop to ask themselves WHY 911 happened? The fact is that America is hopelessly biased towards Israel. The Palestinian question is the major source of conflict between the West and the Muslim world.
Al-Quaeda object to American military presence in holy lands (Saudi Arabia), America's unstinting support of Israel's illegal occupation. While you can disagree with their methods, you can't really deny the validity of their grieviances.
American's and the West seem to think that Palestianian parents raise their children to be suicide bombers. They never ask what desperate lives must this people lead that they must resort to this.
Iraq is a clear example of American arrogance - no t only does GWB not count the Iraqi civilians he murders as a result of his unjust war, the average American doesn't see anything wrong with that. iraqi life is cheap. Just as if you ask Americans how many died in Vietnam they will tell you 58000 Americans - forgetting or never knowing the 2-3 million Vietnamese who died.
Whenever American's commit atrocities like My Lai or Abu Gharib, American's say it is an aberration. The rest of the world sees it for what it is.
There is a reason America is more loathed and feared around the world today than ever before - by muslim and non-muslim alike. American should ask themselves why.
starjax - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
Greg, as first poster you also stated it very well. To paraphrase shakespear/star trek 6 people are afraid of change. Afraid of the unknown. They cling to what they know, not becuase its better, but because its what they are used to/comfortable with. For those people that have died in the middle east, all they want to put food on their table, roof over thier heads, and have a future for their children. Yet people continue to set off car bombs, take schools hostage, ect for what? It is easier for them to commit acts of violence than it is for them to embrace the undiscovered country and give peace a chance.I live in dallas, tx and work for TI. I am greatful that we have a diverse poppulation and great community. For Sept. 11th it seemed that the entire city went out to enjoy all the public events to celebrate "community" and Humanity. It was a great uplifting feeling.
Anand, all the good feelings that you have right now, especially when you look at your wife, and remember that people like him don't have that. Thats whats trully sad.
Anonymous - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
"Please don't make me feel unwelcome"Anand, please....since you're not a history major, let's just look at what truly "unwelcome" has meant in a historical context.
To be truly "unwelcome" has meant having your home or business destroyed. "Unwelcome" meant being bullied or coerced. "Unwelcome" meant never rising to a higher position or status, having your money or land taken illegally. "Unwelcome" meant armed people in the middle of the night came into your home and took your loved ones away.
"Unwelcome" has meant african slave trade, kristallnacht, the holocaust, the KKK, lynchings, burnings, wholesale destruction of lives and property. Unwelcome means Pakistanis being murdered in the streets of Germany by neo-nazis and the cops, who agree with the nazis, look the other way. I could go on for hours... Need I remind you that these are all REAL things that happened to REAL people who felt REAL pain, just as REAL as your episode with the drunk. Imagine if that drunk had a gun and could've used it without any consequences. Then you will know what "unwelcome" has meant throughout history.
Let's look at what "unwelcome" does NOT mean. "Unwelcome" does NOT mean your own business, lots of friends, freedom of movement, decision and speech, safe legal ways to express your culture, religon, and a big fat wallet. I would assume you have all of those.
Listen, I'm sorry you ran into a jerk, we all do. The talent of a jerk is to find our soft underbelly, and exploit it. And he did. So f--ing what? Can you handle it? Are you a man? Are you an American? These are questions we can only answer ourselves.
I would advise you to take a page from the ancsetors of your culture that preceeded you, and who dealt with more racism than you ever will- draw a line around your family, your work and your community of friends and loved ones and take care of them the best you can. Then shut up and let God, Allah, or Vishnu do the rest. It worked for them.
Anonymous - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
I have experienced only one racist incident in the past 1 year I have lived in the USA. I consider this to be a compliment to the US. I have lived and worked in Europe and in the Middle East. The amount of racism in Europe is much higher than in the US.The Middle East (read Arab heartland) reeks with intolerance for anything non Muslim; in Saudi Arabia and the other Muslim states I worked in, no one is permitted to build churches or temples and propagate faiths other than Islam. You might have noticed that a few Muslim gentlemen had a problem with a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim; these guys do not represent a minority opinion in the Muslim world.
Anonymous - Sunday, September 19, 2004 - link
Like someone said, it is a human problem. The guy is an idiot. There are idiots like that in society. It is a fact, and we as people must work towards educating these idiots (how about some education on world religion at like around grade 3 or 4, the age when they start critically thinking about the world around them, and are exposed to sensitive issues and have a developing sense of self?).There needs to be more education. However, in your case Anand, it appears that it was an adult who said this? How unfortunate. I know how it feels to be discriminated and treated differently because of things beyond your control, as I have been through racism. As said, it is imperative to teach children about the world around us, different people, their beliefs, and teach them to learn to appreciate differences. This education should be available and taught to everyone.
It must be even more frustrating for you for this to happen when you are having such a great time, and a very contributing member of America; to know that there are idiots who insult you based on your differences.
After 9/11, it appears that discrimination against people with brown skin. The idiots who commit such heinous acts are, well, idiots. I am sure that the chances that this would have happened would have been much lower had that person gone through some sort of education regarding the world's people during childhood. I do not mean a silly little introduction, what I mean is a rigerous understanding and acceptance and appreciation of the world around them and all the people who live in it.
Unfortunately, the media also has been idiotic in its typical stereotype of the terrorist. I am talking about the news. CNN is a good example. They are a good news organization, but some of their thoughtless portrayals speak of their inner idiocy.
I think the government should also direct its efforts in cracking down on racism.
All in all, racism is something that darkens the world. It is up to us to educate the children, the young ones who will be shaping the world in the years to come, about the people of the world, equality, teach them to learn to live with and appreciate the differences among people, and live in co-operation, peace, and harmony. It is as simple as that. Education is the key in preventing racism.
On a side note, the education would not only solve the racism issue, but also other differences, like sexism and the such. It can all be stopped with education.
Stephen Brooks - Saturday, September 18, 2004 - link
For all those of you who have just read through the above 137 comments, "Welcome to the Internet".Anonymous - Saturday, September 18, 2004 - link
#123 - Richard: How did you hit a nerve? We are all readers on this site and are in no way affiliated to this site so if AnandTech shows bias, which has never happened, in their reviews we will always be here to critize them. Remember the CPU review that Kristopher K. did and thousands of readers were mad at AnandTech because it was an unfair comparison. Guess what AnandTech did, they fixed the review with another article and everything is back to normal now.Where have you noticed bias in AnandTech articles due to Anand's political thinking. Were you drunk when you were posting your comments?
And don't post bullshit like "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."
You know your comments were dumb because Anandtech doesn't mix their personal thoughts with their professional reviews. THIS IS ANAND's WEBLOG and he can talk about whatever he want. This is not part of the "professional" part of the site.
You are stupid, you muthafu**a, you a** hol*.
You deserve to be killed.
ernie - Saturday, September 18, 2004 - link
there are alot of idiots in this world, not just this country,but every country and theres not much we can do about it eccept teach the one who will learn and pray for those who will not.best wishes, brotha