A Big Issue. Attn: fellow Americans?

Question

I had an amazing experience yesterday. I was a victim of racism for the first time in my life. I’m not sure whether it was racism though. I need your important opinions on the matter.

July 21, 2006. Friday. Event spot: Elmont, New York.

Sunny day at 2 o’clock. Our weekly prayer just ended & we were getting back home from mosque. On the way, I heard someone saying something with annoyed voice. A 65 year old caucasian guy throwing foul remarks towards us. He looked annoyed and he was saying “Jackson heights, Jamaica, Long Island city now Hempstead…” (may be alluded that these places filled with damn Muslims) He was dissing us for no reason. I was amazed. What is he doing? Well, unlike him, none of us Muslims said a word. Anyway, while driving back home, I took a second look at the old man. Guess what! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The old man now took out a whistle & started blowing it towards the Muslims, mocking offensively. I couldn’t get more amazed.
continued..

I looked at the Muslim passers by, they noticed the guy but tried to ignore him. An elderly man of the society, who deserves respect from anyone, is doing something like that? I felt pretty different afterwards. God made this feeling bitter indeed.

I am an immigrant in USA. Before that, in my country, I never faced such situation, so I don’t know what racism is. I knew it by definition. And now by experience. I started writing my diary “Life in America” long ago. Today I’m gonna open a new part “My untold stories in USA”. Before adding this story to that, I need some of you excellent people’s p.o.v’s & advice about the matter. Thanks in advance.

(Important note: My cousin, who attended the prayer too, posted a question earlier about the matter, but here I give details)

Answer 1

I apologize for that American's stupidity. There are so many people filled with hate who are capable of doing harm. If I were you, I would take care. Don't ignore nuts like that. He could be dangerous. Stay out of his way, don't acknowledge him, don't even look at him. Report this to the local police. If they won't help -- and/or if this happens again -- contact your local TV news and inform them of the problem. And try to remember that ignorant hatemongers like this guy are a minority.

Whenever I see Muslim women and children when I'm out shopping or whatever, I always smile and nod at them, sometimes I say hello or exchange casual conversation with them. I go out of my way to be friendly, to make them aware that not all Americans are hateful bigots. The smiles I get from the children especially are so beautiful.

P.S. Please ignore the bigots who post here.

Answer 2

I wouldn't call it racism, but a definite insult to your religion. Old people are rarely treated with respect in the American society by anyone other than their immediate family. The elderly man may have been nuts/crazy/off his rocker. The other possibility is that since old people tend to have very narrow minds, he sees the current war as the fault of Muslims rather than the idiots in power at the white house. A lot of older people have a misconception that America is right, war is something to be proud of and if America is against a country which sports your religion, you must be bad too. I'm sorry for your experience, but as an American, I would have been laughing my head off at the old man and told him to go back to "The Home" for his med's before he had a stroke.

Answer 3

People often discriminate against Muslims. Many Americans view them as evil, and with an intent to harm. This, sadly, is not something Muslims try to dispel. The Terrorists in the middle east, doing violent things in the name of Allah do not put a favorable image on the Muslim people either. Some Americans understand that not all Muslims are this way, but the majority does not. The best thing to do, is to keep acting in a civil manner, and eventually people will take notice, and realise that the Muslim stereotype is not true. People judge you by your actions.

Answer 4

There are so many racist Americans. They feel the world is there's and the country they live in belongs to them. They feel they are entitled to anything on earth and all they have to do is ask. It's the American mentality. Now, this is not the view of all Americans, only some who have bigotry and racism still in their heart. They will blame everyone else for the world's problems. They have so much hatred that they will never open up to what reality is really like. They probably have never travelled outside America to see the world and experience what the world has to offer.

When I run into these morons, I ignore then and go on with my life. God will have a plan for them, and will be judged by God. We don't have to judge others. If we judge them by the same ways they judge us, we would only be going to their level. You can hold your head up high and be proud of who you are and your culture.

I live in NYC and once on the subway, a older man asked me:
"Do you eat rice? You must rice? All you Asians eat rice. What's so special about rice?"

I wanted to show him my Asian Rage and put my fist through his face. Instead I gave him a look and turned away. Some people will never get it. Don't let their hatred become yours.

Answer 5

Okay, I think I found your question, we all have to endure this kind of scrutiny some time or another, that is a part of life, the early Christians had to go through this all the time, look what they did to Jesus, mocking him, putting a crown of thorns on him, people have mocked christians since day one. They were used in the colusium for games, and fed to hungry lions.

In todays society people do not think of what they are doing, before they do it, they make remarks to lift thier own ego's, by making you feel bad, they think they are making themselves feel better, and we should just have mercy and pray for that person.

We cannot change peoples attitudes, only God can do that, we can only work on our responses and not further inflict the problem, we must realize, because one person chants, does not mean the whole crowd is following.

Answer 6

I am sorry for the disrespect you witnessed and experienced. As a Christian it is not possible for me to empathize but I can sympathize.

I can't say that in my opionion I would consider it racism, but it is definitely religious discrimination.

Racism, which has always been a misused term as we all belong to the human race, is based on your ethnic background (ethnic discrimination) and something I have experienced for 25 plus yrs. as a black man growing up in New Mexico.

If the older man had directed his actions at you solely for reasons based on your skin color it would qualify.

As for how to handle it, I would hope your time spent in the mosque would make that obvious. It is easy to love the loveable the test of your faith is how well you can love those who persecute you and show you no love.

The experience is a test of your faith and how well you can walk in it. Read Matthew ch.5 (Bible)

Peace and Prayers

Answer 7

I'm sorry that happened to you. Sometimes people, especially older people are set in their beliefs and ideas about other races or religions. It doesn't make it right, and I don't have an answer. I guess all we can do is treat people equally and teach our children to do the same. Maybe that way we can bring about some change for the good.

Answer 8

That's completely horrible. I'm so sorry that you were attacked in such a way. I believe that it is definitely a form of racism. Unfortunately, some people are too closed minded except anything other than what they believe.

Answer 9

When you live in a Muslim country, and you are Muslim, there is not much room for racism. When you move to a country that your people attacked, they may not like you. When your religion tells you to kill nonbelievers, and you live in a country of nonbelievers, they will act like that to you. Look at the bright side, at least no one cut your head off.

Answer 10

Sorry about what happened, it was just an old man who has a mindset equal to that of someone from the early 20th century, just ignore him. People who judge others like that don't deserve a response. It's his problem not yours.