Flying while arab/muslim

[Bosco 1]

I think what has happened since 9/11 is that people are no longer embarassed to hide their bigotry. The proudly display it and try to excuse it away by referring to 9/11. 9/11 didn't create you. I am pretty sure you were this way long before 9/11.

I only want to address this, because it's the only one I really have comment on.

9/11 DID create a lot of "us". I never gave someone being muslim a second thought until after then. I have no religious prejudice against Muslims, so you can't argue that. I just never really thought about it until post-9/11. Since then? Yes, I tend to be a little suspicious. Fear is our defense mechanism. Fear heightens our senses, and makes us ready for danger. That's physiology - you can't change that. If a snake bites you once, you will be suspicious of snakes. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you will avoid doing it again. It's really no different. Allow enough time for the memory of the "hurt" to go away, and things will go back to normal.

Just remember....they're called "Terrorists" for a reason.....

I understand what you are saying, but I still think this is way of excusing an unjustified reaction rather than looking at what really is at issue. I am not impervious to reactions that are based upon generalizations or even prejudice. But when it happens, I correct myself. I think it through and realize I am reacting in an irrational, ugly way. I don't justify this reaction based on physiology or the fact that whatever thought that entered my mind may hold true for a limited number of people of that race/religion/etc. I control how I choose to respond to something (I am not talking an immediate reaction or shortly thereafter).

I have been robbed and had a weapon held to my head by a group of men that were all of a certain race, which I will not name here. It did not carry over into a fear of all men of that race. People are not hot stoves. All hot stoves burn. The physiological reaction to a hot stove makes sense because of all hot stoves will burn, but all Muslims will not commit terrorism. Was I uneasy being out late alone after that, yes. Was I more fearful of men of that race, no.

Likewise, I understand feeling uneasy flying after 9/11. My parents were flying that day and when they were able to fly a few days later, I was scared. But carrying that over to a suspicion of 1.3 billion people does not make sense, not to me anyway.

Why is there no physiological reaction to white males after the Oklahoma City bombing or after seeing nearly every serial killer on TV be a white male? Because I think in these circumstances we know better, we are around enough white men on a daily basis to realize these are the exceptions. The reaction to Muslims stems from ignorance out of a lack of familiarity rather than a justifiable response.

Edited August 24, 2006 by Bosco

[Together4ever 1]

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I AM AFRAID OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU?????

Part of your right to free speech and your freedom here in the US requires respect too .. there is not much in your statement.. I dont agree with what natasha says but you have to respect the fearful along with the strong.. Its the lack of respect that ignorant people have to things they don't understand and lack of respect of the people who are ignorant to the fact that not everyone is the same.

... and conversely your own logic could also be applied to your own response to mine... and on and on and on. It's called opinion. End of story.

[VetsWife328 7]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

[iceyspots 0]

I think what has happened since 9/11 is that people are no longer embarassed to hide their bigotry. The proudly display it and try to excuse it away by referring to 9/11. 9/11 didn't create you. I am pretty sure you were this way long before 9/11.

I only want to address this, because it's the only one I really have comment on.

9/11 DID create a lot of "us". I never gave someone being muslim a second thought until after then. I have no religious prejudice against Muslims, so you can't argue that. I just never really thought about it until post-9/11. Since then? Yes, I tend to be a little suspicious. Fear is our defense mechanism. Fear heightens our senses, and makes us ready for danger. That's physiology - you can't change that. If a snake bites you once, you will be suspicious of snakes. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you will avoid doing it again. It's really no different. Allow enough time for the memory of the "hurt" to go away, and things will go back to normal.

Just remember....they're called "Terrorists" for a reason.....

I understand what you are saying, but I still think this is way of excusing an unjustified reaction rather than looking at what really is at issue. I am not impervious to reactions that are based upon generalizations or even prejudice. But when it happens, I correct myself. I think it through and realize I am reacting in an irrational, ugly way. I don't justify this reaction based on physiology or the fact that whatever thought that entered my mind may hold true for a limited number of people of that race/religion/etc. I control how I choose to respond to something (I am not talking an immediate reaction or shortly thereafter).

I have been robbed and had a weapon held to my head by a group of men that were all of a certain race, which I will not name here. It did not carry over into a fear of all men of that race. People are not hot stoves. All hot stoves burn. The physiological reaction to a hot stove makes sense because of all hot stoves will burn, but all Muslims will not commit terrorism. Was I uneasy being out late alone after that, yes. Was I more fearful of men of that race, no.

Likewise, I understand feeling uneasy flying after 9/11. My parents were flying that day and when they were able to fly a few days later, I was scared. But carrying that over to a suspicion of 1.3 billion people does not make sense, not to me anyway.

Why is there no physiological reaction to white males after the Oklahoma City bombing or after seeing nearly every serial killer on TV be a white male? Because I think in these circumstances we know better, we are around enough white men on a daily basis to realize these are the exceptions. The reaction to Muslims stems from ignorance out of a lack of familiarity rather than a justifiable response.

[Bosco 1]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

You call the terrorists are brothers but she cannot call you sis? Explain!

[Bosco 1]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

You call the terrorists our brothers but she cannot call you sis? Explain!

[sarah and hicham 3]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

hahaha so you can make your own definitions of anything you want that way in your head you will not be associated with negativity such as being the racist that you are.

[iceyspots 0]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

Your definition of racist is different? Ummm.....

[vartan 0]

... and conversely your own logic could also be applied to your own response to mine... and on and on and on. It's called opinion. End of story.

I didn't ask a question it was just a comment.. respect everyone and everyones oppinions.. no matter what side.. no need to get nasty on either side.

[sarah and hicham 3]

OK by THAT definition I am a racist.My definition of a racist is a different one so thats why I can't and wont call my self a racist.

Just Waiting,DO NOT call me your sis.

And oh yes I WILL be coming to the USA,no matter if you guys like it or not.

I want to live in peace and quiet with my family and I want my family to be safe no matter where we live.

You can think and say what you want,if 9/11 wouldn't have happened Muslims would not be looked at the way they are being looked at now!

Nat

Your definition of racist is different? Ummm.....

jajajajaja.

[Together4ever 1]

Sis...

I have concluded that henceforth, all "people" shall be called "creeple".

*pins her official "creeple" badge on her t-shirt*

boo

[iceyspots 0]

Also my son whos 5 years old has been beat up by two Mulism boys bc he's American

[sarah and hicham 3]

Just a question: how do you know he was beat up because he is American? How do you know it wasn't for something else?

[vartan 0]

Also my son whos 5 years old has been beat up by two Mulism boys bc he's American

Was that in america?

[LaL 418]

Just a question: how do you know he was beat up because he is American? How do you know it wasn't for something else?

or as an extention of that ... maybe because of your SO's involvement in the US military... not very popular in many parts of the world.