Arab Bashing

[Ban Hammer 13,113]

report button is your friend (how many have tried it)

it should be noted that the report button sends a report to ewok, who may or may not be around. pm'ing one of the 3 mods will quite often result in faster action.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

This is true charles and actually i believe most know both these points just saying ...do it when needed.....

[SaadBell 0]

I am kinda of confused, you two that are discussing, are dudes, like real Arab dudes. If so, I must say I am impressed by your english. You are certainly not ready for a political forum, but with practice I see you being a successful debater. Practice, practice, practice, practice, and soon one day you can be like me and roam a political forum of the party you hate or the current president, and rattle some chains. Nothing better than a good old fight over gun control with some good old boys. Good times, good times

[simple_male 1]

I just don't agree with the perception that when Arab-bashing occurs (and yes, it happens a LOT,) that no one says anything about it. Plenty of us do -- many names come to mind that I could list here (including the OP and several in this very thread) but I don't want to accidentally omit anyone who *does* speak up.

I agree that *more* of our members could and should speak up.

But the truth is (unfortunately) that many members have been intimidated by the continuing tactics of several members on this site -- the labels of "terror supporter," "terrorist importer," "Hamas-lover," etc. (even "anti-Semite" and "Nazi,") not to mention the nasty remarks about their husbands and their relationships with them, even the posting of inflammatory pics that are intended to personally ridicule particular members.

Unfortunately, many people are afraid to stick their necks out because they're still dealing with their immigration cases -- it's already hard enough for many people from MENA. Many have been terrorized from even daring to speak their opinion on this forum.

Most of you have seen the types of vicious attacks I've personally been subjected to on this site. Of course, the perpetrators are still here, and still at it. They're not going to stop, even though they're not going to shut me up, either. But not everyone has the stomach for this kind of thing -- they don't want to be "the target" -- and I can't blame them.

I agree that it is very sad (not to mention ironic) that some of our own members would post bigoted/insulting remarks about Arabs/Muslims. A few have even publicly encouraged the type of tactics I described above. I do wonder how their own relationships with Arabs/Muslims can survive this type of mentality.

But thankfully they are a very small (and yes, ignorant) minority.

To all those (both MENA members and others) who continue to call it out wherever they see it -- thank you.

-MK

We need to speak up more against bigotry and should not be intimidated by others' slanderous remarks. Most people know those members in VJ who make inflammatory remarks against Arabs, Palestinians and members who support those remarks. I am not an Arab nor a Palestinian, but I always speak up against bigoted, insulting remarks against them. In fact, I don't support any insulting remarks against any ethnic group.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK

I'm honoured sister WoM, I mean that. But I believe the work of changing the world falls on all of us. Bit by bit. Hatred is not natural, it is learned, and hence, it is taught.

Peace, Len.

[simple_male 1]

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK

I'm honoured sister WoM, I mean that. But I believe the work of changing the world falls on all of us. Bit by bit. Hatred is not natural, it is learned, and hence, it is taught.

Peace, Len.

Yes, Sister Len, I agree with you.

Sister WOM, I don't care what people call me, but I try my best to speak the truth. I expected that some would make slanderous remarks about me when I quoted Jimmy Carter, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela. Interestingly, none of the above three leaders are Arabs, Palestinians or Muslims and more importantly, these three are well respected figures around the world.

And to Number 6 and ta_me_go, thanks to you for your precise replies.

Edited March 21, 2008 by simple_male

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I'm honoured sister WoM, I mean that. But I believe the work of changing the world falls on all of us. Bit by bit. Hatred is not natural, it is learned, and hence, it is taught.

Peace, Len.

Indeed it does -- you are absolutely correct. If we don't like a world full of racism, intolerance and injustice, it's up to us to change that.

"Each one teach one."

-MK

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I started the protest thread against bigotry, but get no props? Hell, all I caught was ####### for speaking out and an attempt to change the topic to licorce.

Come on!

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I started the protest thread against bigotry, but get no props? Hell, all I caught was ####### for speaking out and an attempt to change the topic to licorce.

Come on!

?????

I just don't agree with the perception that when Arab-bashing occurs (and yes, it happens a LOT,) that no one says anything about it. Plenty of us do -- many names come to mind that I could list here (including the OP and several in this very thread) but I don't want to accidentally omit anyone who *does* speak up.

My other remarks were specific responses to people who had specifically addressed me.

[Ban Hammer 13,113]

I started the protest thread against bigotry, but get no props? Hell, all I caught was ####### for speaking out and an attempt to change the topic to licorce.

Come on!

i'm not surprised but you rock

[simple_male 1]

We condemn Arab bashing strongly. But few VJ members like to make inflammatory, racist, slanderous remarks about Arabs. We all should condemn those remarks whenever there is any such remark made by any VJ member. That is the point we are making.

I started the protest thread against bigotry, but get no props? Hell, all I caught was ####### for speaking out and an attempt to change the topic to licorce.

Come on!

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK

[MelindaandTarek 0]

I just don't agree with the perception that when Arab-bashing occurs (and yes, it happens a LOT,) that no one says anything about it. Plenty of us do -- many names come to mind that I could list here (including the OP and several in this very thread) but I don't want to accidentally omit anyone who *does* speak up.

I agree that *more* of our members could and should speak up.

But the truth is (unfortunately) that many members have been intimidated by the continuing tactics of several members on this site -- the labels of "terror supporter," "terrorist importer," "Hamas-lover," etc. (even "anti-Semite" and "Nazi,") not to mention the nasty remarks about their husbands and their relationships with them, even the posting of inflammatory pics that are intended to personally ridicule particular members.

Unfortunately, many people are afraid to stick their necks out because they're still dealing with their immigration cases -- it's already hard enough for many people from MENA. Many have been terrorized from even daring to speak their opinion on this forum.

Most of you have seen the types of vicious attacks I've personally been subjected to on this site. Of course, the perpetrators are still here, and still at it. They're not going to stop, even though they're not going to shut me up, either. But not everyone has the stomach for this kind of thing -- they don't want to be "the target" -- and I can't blame them.

I agree that it is very sad (not to mention ironic) that some of our own members would post bigoted/insulting remarks about Arabs/Muslims. A few have even publicly encouraged the type of tactics I described above. I do wonder how their own relationships with Arabs/Muslims can survive this type of mentality.

But thankfully they are a very small (and yes, ignorant) minority.

To all those (both MENA members and others) who continue to call it out wherever they see it -- thank you.

-MK

This is very well said WOM - - any generalizations or stereotypes about a group of people is prejudice....there are differences as stated earlier in each person belonging to a larger culture...Any bashing of any group should not be tolerated or left unnoticed on any board....and I also can understand the reason why more people do not post about it......however here I am posting;) (Noob) I suppose I still qualify as...lol:)

[SaadBell 0]

We had a lot of accepted racism after 9/11!!!!!!!!!

Some wisdom from Chris Rock on racism.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The point that I was making with this thread is that there is that there are few who speak up when the bashing takes place among MENA members. We seem fine attacking non-MENA members. I was very disheartened to see that, and this thread served as a reminder that this is not acceptable. Ignoring Arab bashing not only will not help any of your relationships, it won't help you get a visa either. Neither will licorce.

Sorry, WOM, I missed the part of your post that referred to me. You catch more ####### defending Arabs than anyone!

We condemn Arab bashing strongly. But few VJ members like to make inflammatory, racist, slanderous remarks about Arabs. We all should condemn those remarks whenever there is any such remark made by any VJ member. That is the point we are making.

I started the protest thread against bigotry, but get no props? Hell, all I caught was ####### for speaking out and an attempt to change the topic to licorce.

Come on!

Sister Len -- you have always been one who stands up against racism and intolerance in any form. You continue to show so much compassion and respect for others. I enjoy reading your posts very much !

Sister Estadia -- bless your heart for trying to be the best example that you can be. We all have different individual styles of expressing ourselves, and there is nothing wrong with yours ! I am well aware that there are some people who will never change their minds; however, I'm not posting just for them -- if I was, I'd just send it in a PM.

Brother Simple -- what can I say ? You got called a "terrorist supporter" for having the unmitigated nerve to even mention the names of Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. But you continue to make your points with calm, thoughtful, well-reasoned responses -- without ever stooping to the childish and malicious remarks that are often hurled your way. We could all take a page from your book

-MK