I am an American from the middle east. Well at least my parents were, I was born and raised here. Growing up in America during the 80's amongst the height of anti-Arab sentiment was not the most pleasant experience at times. High school is scary as it is, and everyone has been the brunt of jokes. However it went further than that. For a 15 year old to be called everything from a smelly Arab to a baby killer and held accountable for things he/she has no direct knowledge/involvement in is more damaging than you can imagine. Because I am first generation and my roots are not obvious due to not having an accent and not dressing in the conventional Muslim attire, I have never experienced anywhere near the racism people like my parents faced. My father had a Ph.D. and yet had to endure snide comments from fast food employees for not understanding his accent. I have yet to meet anyone with a more genuine respect and love for this country than he had. Having moved here to seek the medical treatment not available to him in Egypt, he literally felt he owed every breath he took to this nation. Yet his patriotism was always questioned by "Americans" who have forgotten the principles this country was founded on.
I was raised in NY and only moved her a few years ago, so not only am I worried about whether my family(I have yet to reach many of them) was harmed in the crash, but whether they are also being persecuted and blamed for this horrible act. As a child I was confused and hurt by the narrow mindedness of certain fractions of this society, as an adult I am still hurt but it is accompanied by a strong sense of anger. I read these posts, and once again feel that all to familiar hostility towards ALL Arabs. I walk down the street and overhear tidbits of conversation (boycott all Arab businesses!)and am tempted to stop and scream.....WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOURSELF? Gone is the teenager that hoped no one realized where she was from. As an adult I feel no urge to run and hide from the hateful words. I am confident and educated and have a deep love not only for this nation but for my heritage, I now know that there is more to it than bombings and fundamentalism and CNN's bias footage. I have walked the streets of Egypt and shared the warmth and love of its people. I have no more tolerance for your hate, if you are prepared to judge an ENTIRE race based on the actions of a small militant minority, I will be there to call you on your ignorance. If you are willing to crucify your fellow Americans and ruin their lives by boycotting the stores they have worked so hard to build than you had better remember that Arab Americans are everywhere, it's not just the guy with the turban behind the counter. Even though we might not be easily identifiable to you(based on the stereotypes you love so much) we are here and we are aware and we will not allow you to interfere with our civil liberties.
Direct your anger towards those responsible, not those that share their ancestry.
Thank you, I just needed to say all this.