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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Wotan - Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - link
#61 You don't really get my point and thus your conclusion makes me laugh. Everyone starts talking about how ignorant this guy was...none of you even know the first thing about him. To sit and judge someone while dictating moral policy to others...must be nice.Koing - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
Sorry about that MORON. You get guys that are just THAT STUPID in the world. You have the really great people and ignorant people like that. Just how it works and I don't think we'll ever change but we can try. But we'll always have the very small minority like that.Koing
SLT - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
Congrats, Anand, and don't let the morons get you down. As far as the 3 "western" majors go, you are SO right! Having studied all 3, they are so much more similar than people realize. Come on, put David Duke (KKK) and Osama next to each other and they both will say they are very religious people who believe very firmly that they are doing right and the will of their "God".What's my bias? I personally think all of you have it wrong, I'm a druid! ;-)
"Can't we all just get along?"
Rodney King
You know what they say.... out of the mouths of babes and morons...
Congrats again, Anand, and hold your head high. Regardless of race, creed, or faith, good people are.
SLT
jrphoenix - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
Hi Anand,I am sorry you had to go through this. I am an American of European decent and I am a convert to Islam (since 1999). After September 11th my wife (Malaysian and wears the hijab, head covering) was given dirty looks and had some rund comments tossed her way.
We recently moved to Florida and she decided to take off her hijab for the first time for her own protection... there are a lot of ignorant people in the South (NOT all of them, but many racist or just ignorant people).
It is sad to see that at present time it is politically incorrect to make fun of blacks, hispanics, asians, etc... The Muslims (in general) and Arabs (in particular) are the last bastion of an "acceptable" group to discriminate against.
Don't forget what happened and never let it cloud your judgements on people just by their appearance!
James
Erem - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
#51: To actually be a muslim state, it must be a theocracy where the priests are the entities actually making decisions on law, etc. That happens in Iran, but not in Saudi Arabia. In Iran, the high priests have ultimate veto power over law. It also happened in Taliban Afghanistan I believe, but not anymore (unless the Taliban come back, which they might if we do not put focus back on them.)#37: "Believing that your friends are your friends, that they are on your side, and would really put themselves out there for you (a person of another ethnicity) is the very definition of naivety." If you've had problems with your friends of other races not sticking up for you, it is a function of their character not their race. My friends of other races have been there for me in my most vulnerable of times, as I have been for them. I feel sorry that the negligence of your once-friends imparted you with such a jaded view on the nature of friendship.
Anand: I regret so much what you went through, and empathize very much with the feeling. As a 1/2 black 21 year old man in this country, I was recently racially profiled by the police for the first time in my life. I took it lightly then, but now feel anxiety when I see a police car instead of the safety I once did. You're right...it just takes a chip out of your confidence in belonging, and makes it easy to think that your many inclusive friends in this country are the exception, not the rule. Its easy to think, but try not to. I too am trying.
Anonymous - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
Anand, sorry to hear abt your encounter. I am an Indian and have lived in the US for 25+ years. I consider the US to be my home (I'm also a U.S. Citizen). I faced a lot of what you went through after Sept 11 and some of it in Silicon Valley where many were bitter that their jobs had gone to India (My job also went to India). SV is the coolest place to live and work and the people there are generally the most decent folks. However the 9/11 tragedy and subsequent job losses brought out the worst in some people. Over time I came to realize that the problem lies not in me, but with the small minority of ignoramuses. Steer clear of these fools, but live your live proudly as a US citizen (better yet, as a GLOBAL citizen). Peace to all of us.David Duvall - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
Anand Lal Shimpi,My friends and I try very hard to judge people by their works and not by the color of their skin or the clothing they wear.
I have followed your works on the internet for a very long time. You have done good works and have enlighted our lives. In other words, you have done good works!
I know of no one that thinks anything but good of you. Thank you for enriching our lives.
See, the American melting pot works for the benefit of all people!
Again, thank you Anand.
Sid - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
dear anandi am really sorry for what happened to yo. but i also think that vinnie's company after the marriage support from anandtechies and love from everyone who cares can wipe that memory. yes tolerance is very necessary. without tolerance we will all be back to dark ages. and with all due respect to USA , US politicians have time and again commited acts like the new imperialists which have not endeared them to most countries especially middle east and third world countries. in my view every person should be forced to spend at least 2 years traveeling extensively , mingling with other cultures and religions so that he becomes more tolerant.(sounds a bit far fetched rite but it can be a way) i agree to the point anand raised that essentialy we are not very different but it is the differences which are highlighted by some for their vested interests. i am an indian andi can vouch for the same having traveled through almost entire india that inspite of differences in apperance, language and some customs all indians are essentialy same and i think that is true of the world too. lets not blame muslims , christians, jews , whites , blacks anybody. lets just listen to each other , understand and live in harmony working for progress of mankind
bookster - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
You should have told him that he looked like Osama's sister ;)silthdraeth - Monday, September 13, 2004 - link
I almost didn't comment, because I saw so many other people have commented, and I figure they all must be positive. I also figure that some will have said things better than I can say them.But I realize that that thinking is wrong, it is very similar to the school of thought, that goes with "why should I vote, one vote won't matter".
So in breaking free of that, I believe you hit the nail on the head to some degree, it is part ignorance.
Though there are a just as many factors of why people dislike others not like them, as there are different cultures in the world.
I personally do not look favorable upon any religious zealots, nor do I look favorably upon many cultures, even my own. I tend to take a rather critical view of almost everything.
But in dealing with individual people, I make every effort possible to disregard stereotypes, and racial profileing, my views on societies and religions, and see the person.
Try to do the same. And take heart. Being American is just citizenship, its Patriotism, and not by just showing pride for ones country, but by doing all those things you listed. Being kind, and fair, and donating, though not a necessity, for not all of us can, is also a very true mark.