In a message dated 9/17/2001 1:18:02 AM Central Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Regarding the backlash towards Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. now. I really
> did not think people could be so cruel but incidents have happened - even
> here in L.A. where I thought we were more sensitive.
I agree with your statement here and am scared. As many know, my husband is
Palestinian, Muslim born in Tul Karem, Palestine-raised in Kuwait City,
Kuwait. I am Italian-Scottish-Irish American, Catholic born in Vermont
raised in Alabama. Ha-Ha! What a combo we are! After 10 yrs of marriage we
decide to settle down and now we have John Calvin Samer who is almost 15
months.
Regardless of where we come from we are the most unprejudice people you will
meet. We have friends of all nationalities and religions and don't make
friends based on those criteria. Assem has worked his way up from a fry cook
in a local BBQ restaurant (ran by Greeks) to a Regional Manager of all 5 of
their stores. I am a stay at home Mom with a Social Work degree. We have
made a nice life for ourselves-we were young and did it all on our own. Now
it feels as though it might all be taken away.
We are raising our son in both religions and both cultures. He is learning
both languages and, mostly, he is learning to be loved! We have friends who
wear the Muslim dress (hajab), and are very religious. Some are American
others Palestinians. There mosque has been threatened. They and their
friends have been spat upon. Looks are different now. We are different now.
It scares me to think that my son may grow up differently now. Calvin is a
very beautiful baby and I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother. But
the mix has been very good to him! Since he was born people have always
commented on him and wanted to be near him. Strangers, family, friends,
anyway you get the point. In instances with strangers, I have always
commented -"...his Daddy is Arabic and my family is Italian..." This has now
changed. We have to watch what we say, we have to watch where we go, we have
to look to see who or what's around us. And its only been a week...
I'm so sorry to unload this on all of you, but I felt like this was one of
the most UN-bias places I knew.
Thanks for listening and please be kind to your foreign American neighbors
who feel the same as you towards Bin Ladin and this horrible attack on the
United States and its people.
Kammy in Alabammy
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From: "Kakki" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Observations (njc)
Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 22:36:53 -0700
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Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/joni
Websites: http://www.jmdl.com http://www.jonimitchell.com
Precedence: bulk
I just went out to the local gas station to pick up a pack of cigarettes
(unfortunately, I am smoking incessantly these days but not quite up to Joni
volume). As I was there two men in official Army camo uniforms pulled up in
a private vehicle to pick up some smokes themselves. I tried to convey my
love and appreciation to them in that small moment.
Regarding the backlash towards Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. now. I really
did not think people could be so cruel but incidents have happened - even
here in L.A. where I thought we were more sensitive. There is a secretary
in my office who is a converted Muslim. She has always worn a certain kind
of garment to work that looks pretty much like a nun's habit. On Wednesday
morning when we returned to work, she was in Western clothing.
Last Friday night I heard many loud sirens going with several fire trucks
and police cars speeding down my street. A bit later, I had to go out and
found a large section of a main street blockaded and surrounded by the
police cars and fire trucks. I was relived to find out later that it was
just heightened security for the Madonna concert!
One of my co-workers tonight was at Madonna's concert here Thursday night.
The way she described it made several of us choke up. Madonna had tears
throughout and did everything she could to promote healing and unity among
the crowd. She is giving the proceeds of these concerts to the orphans in
New York.
Kakki
