Witness to Discrimination: What Would You Do?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What if you witnessed "Islamophobia" in action and saw someone being victimized because of someone else's prejudices? What would you do?

ABC's production crew outfitted The Czech Stop, a bustling roadside bakery north of Waco, Texas, with hidden cameras and two actors. One played a female customer wearing a traditional Muslim head scarf, or hijab. The other acted as a sales clerk who refused to serve her and spouted common anti-Muslim and anti-Arab slurs.

The polarity of reactions was shocking, from support to seething disapproval. Never did we expect customers to be so passionate or candid.

Our actor, Sabina, walked into the bakery in search of apple strudel. When she reached the counter, an actor posing as a sales clerk was quick to greet her with hateful anti-Muslim language.

"Get back on the camel and go back to wherever you came from," he said. "You got that towel on your head. I don't know what's underneath your dress. Just please take your business and go elsewhere with it."

"Sir, I am an American, I was born and raised here," she said.

The other customers seemed to hear the exchange but they barely looked toward our actors. When no one came to her defense, Sabina made a direct appeal to one customer.

"Sir, would you mind ordering me an apple strudel? That's why I am here," Sabina said.

Though visibly shaken by the hateful words, the man gave Sabina the cold shoulder, completed his purchase, and walked out of the bakery. "I really think that a person who owns his own business should be able to say who they sell to," he said after we told him about the experiment. In fact, it is illegal for public establishments to deny service based on someone's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Regardless, this man was not the only customer to defend our sales clerk's "right" to discriminate.

A little while later, Sabina again entered the bakery, and again our sales clerk refused to serve her. This time, one man spoke up, but not on behalf of the Muslim woman. He was adamant that our sales clerk did the right thing. "She wasn't dressed right," he said. "If I was running the place I'd do the same thing." Once again, our sales clerk garnered customer support. After Sabina left the bakery seemingly frustrated and empty-handed, one man thanked the sales clerk for his discriminatory behavior. He then gave our actor a thumbs-up, not once, but twice.

...

The next customers had a very different answer to the question of American identity. First we met a man who angrily refused to buy anything when the sales clerk refused to serve Sabina. When our actor chastised him for being a "bad American," he begged to differ. "I believe I am a good American," he said. "My son just came back from serving in the army for over a year in Iraq and that has nothing to do with her [sabina's] rights. I am deeply offended by this."

When we told him about the experiment, he explained why he stood up for Sabina. "I believe that people who use dress, skin color, language, heritage, financial means, education level, any of those things to say one group is better than another are using empty excuses for bigotry and hatred, and there's been enough hatred," he said.

We also met two young women who refused to let our sales clerk's hateful words go unchecked. "Sir, we are not buying our kolaches because you are really offensive and disgusting," one said. "Just because she's dressed like that doesn't mean anything," said the other, a Muslim-American woman herself. Rather than simply taking their business elsewhere, the young women demanded to speak to the manager, and they also challenged our sales clerk's definition of "American." "She's American. She's American. I'm American. You're the one that's anti-American right now," one said to the sales clerk.

When he refused to budge and our actress turned to leave, the two women walked out with her in a show of support.

Even though people seemed to have strong opinions on either side, more than half of the bystanders did or said absolutely nothing. This is a familiar reaction for many Muslims such as Javed. "I was shocked because when these things happen to me in real life & I never see what happens after I walk out of that store," she said. "I would try to justify & that they probably didn't hear it & when I watched it, I realized, no, they hear it and they see it and they're okay with it." For Javed, tears of fear were mixed with tears of thanks for those she saw come forward to support Sabina. "In my lifetime, I've never ever had anybody stand up for me," Javed said. "It's very touching to see that because that's the right thing to do, I believe & as an American."

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4339476

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

is that any different than people watching muggers in nyc?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

is that any different than people watching muggers in nyc?

Yes because muggers are usually armed and presumed violent.

This is a case of one american being uncivil to another. Would you say anything?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Fascinating. Honestly I wouldn't do anything either if I witnessed that. That's my typical philosophy. If I see a mother overly disciplining a child in public I don't make it my business to catch her hand. Not that I am saying I agree with any of these behaviors though. I hadn't really thought that by not having a reaction that I was participating in supporting any of it. I just don't want to be involved or responsible for what may ensue. Edited February 28, 2008 by Olivia*

[panamania79 2]

What if you witnessed "Islamophobia" in action and saw someone being victimized because of someone else's prejudices? What would you do?

ABC's production crew outfitted The Czech Stop, a bustling roadside bakery north of Waco, Texas, with hidden cameras and two actors. One played a female customer wearing a traditional Muslim head scarf, or hijab. The other acted as a sales clerk who refused to serve her and spouted common anti-Muslim and anti-Arab slurs.

The polarity of reactions was shocking, from support to seething disapproval. Never did we expect customers to be so passionate or candid.

Our actor, Sabina, walked into the bakery in search of apple strudel. When she reached the counter, an actor posing as a sales clerk was quick to greet her with hateful anti-Muslim language.

"Get back on the camel and go back to wherever you came from," he said. "You got that towel on your head. I don't know what's underneath your dress. Just please take your business and go elsewhere with it."

"Sir, I am an American, I was born and raised here," she said.

The other customers seemed to hear the exchange but they barely looked toward our actors. When no one came to her defense, Sabina made a direct appeal to one customer.

"Sir, would you mind ordering me an apple strudel? That's why I am here," Sabina said.

Though visibly shaken by the hateful words, the man gave Sabina the cold shoulder, completed his purchase, and walked out of the bakery. "I really think that a person who owns his own business should be able to say who they sell to," he said after we told him about the experiment. In fact, it is illegal for public establishments to deny service based on someone's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, according to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Regardless, this man was not the only customer to defend our sales clerk's "right" to discriminate.

A little while later, Sabina again entered the bakery, and again our sales clerk refused to serve her. This time, one man spoke up, but not on behalf of the Muslim woman. He was adamant that our sales clerk did the right thing. "She wasn't dressed right," he said. "If I was running the place I'd do the same thing." Once again, our sales clerk garnered customer support. After Sabina left the bakery seemingly frustrated and empty-handed, one man thanked the sales clerk for his discriminatory behavior. He then gave our actor a thumbs-up, not once, but twice.

...

The next customers had a very different answer to the question of American identity. First we met a man who angrily refused to buy anything when the sales clerk refused to serve Sabina. When our actor chastised him for being a "bad American," he begged to differ. "I believe I am a good American," he said. "My son just came back from serving in the army for over a year in Iraq and that has nothing to do with her [sabina's] rights. I am deeply offended by this."

When we told him about the experiment, he explained why he stood up for Sabina. "I believe that people who use dress, skin color, language, heritage, financial means, education level, any of those things to say one group is better than another are using empty excuses for bigotry and hatred, and there's been enough hatred," he said.

We also met two young women who refused to let our sales clerk's hateful words go unchecked. "Sir, we are not buying our kolaches because you are really offensive and disgusting," one said. "Just because she's dressed like that doesn't mean anything," said the other, a Muslim-American woman herself. Rather than simply taking their business elsewhere, the young women demanded to speak to the manager, and they also challenged our sales clerk's definition of "American." "She's American. She's American. I'm American. You're the one that's anti-American right now," one said to the sales clerk.

When he refused to budge and our actress turned to leave, the two women walked out with her in a show of support.

Even though people seemed to have strong opinions on either side, more than half of the bystanders did or said absolutely nothing. This is a familiar reaction for many Muslims such as Javed. "I was shocked because when these things happen to me in real life & I never see what happens after I walk out of that store," she said. "I would try to justify & that they probably didn't hear it & when I watched it, I realized, no, they hear it and they see it and they're okay with it." For Javed, tears of fear were mixed with tears of thanks for those she saw come forward to support Sabina. "In my lifetime, I've never ever had anybody stand up for me," Javed said. "It's very touching to see that because that's the right thing to do, I believe & as an American."

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4339476

I would definitely stick up for them.I would tell them "There is another better bakery down the street where ignorance is not on the menu,let's go."

[sj5 4]

I wouldn't its little bit childish to give attention with brain surgery.

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

is that any different than people watching muggers in nyc?

Yes because muggers are usually armed and presumed violent.

This is a case of one american being uncivil to another. Would you say anything?

not all muggers are armed.

[Alex+R 0]

Knowing me, I would have made a big ol' scene. Probably a lil OTT.

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

Knowing me, I would have made a big ol' scene. Probably a lil OTT.

no way!

[Alex+R 0]

PS I have often imagined what would happen if there were massive discrimination against Muslims in this country to the point that they were being rounded up and put in camps (not saying it's Americans doing this, maybe our malevolent occupiers). Would people hide Muslims?

I guess the answer is a resounding "probably not."

[frustrated1 0]

i would say something, although it wouldn't make a difference to such blatant ignorance. this is the same mentality that is behind years of slavery. it's very unfortunate but humans are their own worst enemies.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'd be busy hiding myself, lest some ignorant uniform-bound sh1tface thought I was muslim. Heck, I'd probably start shaving every day too.

[Jenn! 918]

I'm pretty sure I'd say something. Well at least if it were here. In Texas I'd probably be afraid that the guy would pull out a gun.

[Alex+R 0]

I'd be busy hiding myself, lest some ignorant uniform-bound sh1tface thought I was muslim. Heck, I'd probably start shaving every day too.

Yeah probably. Lest they thing you're one-a them mus'ms

[Y's_habibitk 2]

I would say something for sure.. not sure but I can give an example.. I was just telling my husband about this incedent:

I was in a store and the clerk was arabic.. the lady in front of me asked for something, he said Im sorry we dont carry _______ (cant remember) She said "WHY DONT YA'LL LEARN ENGLISH!"

I said, excuse me.. I understood perfectly what he said, maybe you dont understand english because you are a hick with bad grammer" She groaned and left.... the clerk and I laughed.

It is VERY hard for me to keep me mouth shut in these instances. Maybe thats not the safest,smartest route.. but oh well.