is this ridiculous, or am I expecting too much? long RANT!

[wombat]

Hehehe....to quote my dear MIL "Now remember, God loves stupid people. He must, because he made so many of them."

 

[wombat]

Quote:
I'm not Jewish, but I look forward to Passover every year. Coca-Cola puts out product made the old fashioned way, with cane sugar instead of corn syrup. We stock up!

 

[Julie08]

I don't consider myself stupid nor do I think others think I'm stupid but there were many answers you gave in the original post that I did not previously understand, thank you for a part of your culture with me.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
There is some truth in this statement I am sure. The problem is that it isn't over. Muslims around the country are still being treated this way. Yesterday I listened to an interview with someone who had just come home from Ft. Hood. She kept referring to American military service people of Islamic faith as, "Those people." It made me sick every time she used the phrase. Ironically this woman was of a color who has been treated like this in our country for centuries.

I believe Ara is correct in believing that some people ask her stupid questions because they want her to feel uncomfortable. Even on these boards we've seen people act this way!

It can be hard to determine who sincerely wants to understand and who maliciously wants to taunt. Ara, I don't envy your position at all. You're being asked to act like an adult before your time. All you can do is hold your head high. It's good that you can also have a sense of humor. Hopefully, you can vent here in a safe place while out there not give the taunters the satisfaction of seeing how much it bothers you. I also hope that you will be able to tell the difference between who is who, and that these experiences won't prevent you from opening your heart to true friendship.

Donna

 

[redhen]

I'm sorry, i dont believe most people that approach her are doing it with malice..thats a bit far fetched IMO..
I DO agree though, that it must have happend to her at some point in her life ..(and thats a shame!) but..i honestly think that she has some bitterness issues about Americans that she really needs to think through...She seems to think that were all hate mongers or something for asking simple questions. I feel that shes hyper sensitive to this...BUT, i DO understand WHY she is sensitive to this whole thing also..

I honestly believe that most people arent approaching her to be unkind...just like most muslims arent terrorists...respect has to given both ways..IMO..or nothing can ever heal and trust will never happen..
I'm sorry, people can bash me all they want..i'm saying what i believe to be the truth/root of this problem.

 

[GrayDragon]

Quote:
The reverse side of the card was in Farsi, and the background on the card he actually handed out showed a famous Mosque. The crescent and star were also present on the card. I didn't happen to have one of his cards handy, so I just made a quick approximation.

There is nothing wrong with emphasizing the difference. The issue isn't that all people should be viewed as the same, the issue is that the differences are considered to be negatives.



Also, it is possible to be both Muslim and American. There are millions of people who are both Muslim and American by birth. They are soldiers, policemen, firefighters, teachers, etc...

 

[Wynette]

This is an interesting thread - thanks, guys, for keeping it civil.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I must have read something different than you. I didn't see the word most used like that.

 

[GrayDragon]

People who genuinely want to learn more about Muslim beliefs can easily find books and internet websites. They don't need to pester someone. If they still have questions after reading the books and sites, they are usually the type of intelligent question members of a faith don't mind answering.

 

[DuckLady]

If I asked a question about a symbol of someone's faith wanting to know about it, and I was blown off with being told to go look it up and come back when you have an intelligent question, what impression do you think I would have of that faith?
I wouldn't bother trying to understand.