Flying while arab/muslim

[VetsWife328 7]

Ok my definition of a racist:

Someone who verbally or physically attacks someone for no reason other than that person lets say being Black,Jewish or whatever.

I DID NOT attack anyone verbally or physically.

Why I don't want her to call me sis? Very easy to explain,she is rude and disrespectful towards me.I have not attacked her verbally nor have I done anything else than telling ppl what I (!!!!!!) think.

Nat

[PlatyPius 5]

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.

Thank you for your response.

I should have clarified my statements. I would be suspicious of Muslims who were acting in a way to CAUSE me to be suspicious. I am not suspicious of all Muslims. I'd be a nervous wreck if I were, since I work with several. What would I classify as suspicious behaviour? I'm not really sure. It isn't a rational thing, it's more of a subconscious thing. I suppose that if I saw a group of male Muslims sitting at a gate at the airport, huddled up and speaking in hushed tones in whatever their native language might be, then yes...I would probably be suspicious.

People fear what they don't understand. That is true. I do not understand arabic, german, italian, chinese, japanese, etc. Ergo, I don't KNOW what these people are talking about. They could be huddled up discussing their plan to visit this place and that place when they get where they're flying to. I would have no idea. It is that lack of comprehension that causes the suspicion, or at least adds to it.

My suspicion is a low-grade one. I am not terrified, nor afraid. I will, however, watch more closely for any signs of danger. I would do the same in the inner-city, or while visiting a strange business establishment. Yes, I'm the sort who always sits with his back to wall. I've seen and been through too much to be completely trusting of everyone.

[Karen_L 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 think you're spot-on Cian!

Terrorists set out to create a sense of fear. I think they realize they cannot actually kill every person in the US, but creating an atmosphere of fear is also on the agenda. Buying somewhat into that is natural and I think it's touched nearly everyone since 9/11, even people who KNOW how wrong it is to lump people together into one big frightening "THEM." I think this is natural and as Cian suggested, a psychological mechanism.

BUT... living with a feeling of absolute horror is a CHOICE; it's an allowance and it aids Terror. Permitting onesself to feel terror to the point of not wanting to live anywhere near members of a certain community, Muslim or otherwise, plays into what terrorists want. They want to create an atmosphere of dread and panic AND they want to divide people, create mistrust, and undermine people's sense of confidence and well-being. Another poster mentioned how none of us has any control over whether there is another terror attack and they're right. We only have control over ourselves and how we feel and act and letting ourselves BE terrorized to such a degree actually strengthens the terrorists and gives them power over our lives that they do not deserve.

[Jenn! 918]

That must be great to be able to invent a new defintion for something in order to exclude yourself from it.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Ok my definition of a racist:

Someone who verbally or physically attacks someone for no reason other than that person lets say being Black,Jewish or whatever.

I DID NOT attack anyone verbally or physically.

Why I don't want her to call me sis? Very easy to explain,she is rude and disrespectful towards me.I have not attacked her verbally nor have I done anything else than telling ppl what I (!!!!!!) think.

Nat

Most people who are racist never commit any violent acts against the race that they don't like. Like you!

[iceyspots 0]

That must be great to be able to invent a new defintion for something in order to exclude yourself from it.

LMAO... for real....

"I should be exempt from not paying my taxes because under my own definition I shouldnt have to pay."

[Together4ever 1]

Ok my definition of a racist:

Someone who verbally or physically attacks someone for no reason other than that person lets say being Black,Jewish or whatever.

I DID NOT attack anyone verbally or physically.

Why I don't want her to call me sis? Very easy to explain,she is rude and disrespectful towards me.I have not attacked her verbally nor have I done anything else than telling ppl what I (!!!!!!) think.

Nat

So I came dangerously close to letting you know how your words make others feel.... careful now.

[VetsWife328 7]

I know that bc that entire family hates everything and anything American.People,Flags.........They have told me to my face that America should be destroyed and all Americans killed.THAT HOW I KNOW!! And no it did not happen in the USA but here in Germany.

And guess what ,these ppl did NOT have a problem with me or my son until )9/11 and we put out the American Flag (do that each and every year since 9/11 and always get yelled at and called all names in the book) and it started since then it was obvious to them that we are the "enemy".

I know lots of ppl have a problem with seeing an Amrican Soldier.But that is bc they do not undersatnd that a soldier gets orders and has to follow them.My man has not asked to go down to Iraq,he had orders to go.

I do not support the war in Iraq,I think it's a sensless killing on both sides.My opinion is pull the troops out and let them kill each other if they choose to.There shouldn't have been any troops been put to Iraq in the first place,but yet Soldiers (that ONLY follow orders) are being treated like ####### for the mistakes their Boss has made.

Nat

[iceyspots 0]

me thinks natasha has dug herself into a big @$$ she cant get herself out of.

[PlatyPius 5]

Most people who are racist never commit any violent acts against the race that they don't like. Like you!

And in that case, it's really none of our business, is it?

People can think what they want. It isn't anyone else's place to dictate what others believe or feel. If you really, really hated black people, what would it matter? Unless you were planning some act of violence against someone, it really isn't anyones concern.

[vartan 0]

There shouldn't have been any troops been put to Iraq in the first place,but yet Soldiers (that ONLY follow orders) are being treated like ####### for the mistakes their Boss has made.

I disagree but that is a different topic .. hahah

[sarah and hicham 3]

Most people who are racist never commit any violent acts against the race that they don't like. Like you!

And in that case, it's really none of our business, is it?

People can think what they want. It isn't anyone else's place to dictate what others believe or feel. If you really, really hated black people, what would it matter? Unless you were planning some act of violence against someone, it really isn't anyones concern.

Well since she came in here saying that she is scared and racist... I believe I can respond to that... maybe it's not my business but she wanted to make it known that she doesn't feel safe around certain people.

[Jenn! 918]

Most people who are racist never commit any violent acts against the race that they don't like. Like you!

And in that case, it's really none of our business, is it?

People can think what they want. It isn't anyone else's place to dictate what others believe or feel. If you really, really hated black people, what would it matter? Unless you were planning some act of violence against someone, it really isn't anyones concern.

Yes, people can think what they want. But racist speech promotes racial discrimination and violence, whether or not it's the speaker himself actively discriminating.

As you implied yourself:

"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd."

Bertrand Russell

ETA: The goal however should not be to curtail free speech, but rather to educate the speakers.

Edited August 24, 2006 by jenn3539

[Together4ever 1]

Most people who are racist never commit any violent acts against the race that they don't like. Like you!

And in that case, it's really none of our business, is it?

People can think what they want. It isn't anyone else's place to dictate what others believe or feel. If you really, really hated black people, what would it matter? Unless you were planning some act of violence against someone, it really isn't anyones concern.

... unless you are the black person thrown off the plane for being black...

can o' worms anyone?

[iceyspots 0]

I know that bc that entire family hates everything and anything American.People,Flags.........They have told me to my face that America should be destroyed and all Americans killed.THAT HOW I KNOW!! And no it did not happen in the USA but here in Germany.

And guess what ,these ppl did NOT have a problem with me or my son until )9/11 and we put out the American Flag (do that each and every year since 9/11 and always get yelled at and called all names in the book) and it started since then it was obvious to them that we are the "enemy".

I know lots of ppl have a problem with seeing an Amrican Soldier.But that is bc they do not undersatnd that a soldier gets orders and has to follow them.My man has not asked to go down to Iraq,he had orders to go.

I do not support the war in Iraq,I think it's a sensless killing on both sides.My opinion is pull the troops out and let them kill each other if they choose to.There shouldn't have been any troops been put to Iraq in the first place,but yet Soldiers (that ONLY follow orders) are being treated like ####### for the mistakes their Boss has made.

Nat