American society has often been described as a melting pot. It has become a great nation by its people's will and desire to live, work and build as they work hard to achieve their American dream. But what is happening now by some conservative Americans as they support McCain is extremely hurting this great image of the American dream, which is the essence of what America is all about. Expressing their racism and intolerance publically while rallying for McCain is just sad.
I'm sure all of you saw this ignorant American woman rallying for McCain saying she doesn't trust Obama and that she has "read about him and found out he's an Arab." At first, I thought she said "he's an error" which is why I accepted McCain saying, "No, Madam. He's a decent family man…" But when I realized she meant an "Arab" and connected it to what McCain said, I felt very offended. It appeared as if he was saying, "No, Madam. He's is decent, not Arab." I wonder if he said that deliberately to convey that Arabs are not decent and that since Obama is not an Arab, he's decent!
In all cases, I'm not surprised that this came from a McCain supporter and from McCain himself. I wonder what would the Arab Americans feel when they heard this ignorant woman. What would they think when they see the country they built along with their Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist and Hindu countrymen intolerant like this. Haven't they defended their country like what Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan did when he enlisted in the army, deployed in Iraq and then killed there? What would his heart-wrenched father say when he sees or hears ignorant people disregarding his son's sacrifice for his country and faith?I guess no one said it better than Campbell Brown in this CNN video. "What if Obama was an Arab or a Muslim… What if McCain was?"
This election is a wakeup call for Americans and how they are going to shape their country. I hope they do it the right way this time, unlike what happened when they voted for Bush whose eight years brought destruction, caused many enemies around the world and most importantly used the people's taxes to pay for wars and let the entire American economy collapse before the American people's eyes.
Now, it is time for change. And yes, you can!
15 Comments:
thank you for writing a great post Bassam.
I thought it was despicable of the McCain campaign to try and instill fear into voters by suggesting that Obama was an Arab or a Muslim. There are many good people in the world who happen to be Arabs or Muslims.
I watched Colin Powell's endorsement announcement for Obama on Meet The Press. One of the most poignant parts of his speech was when he talked about Kareem Khan. I read an article about Kareem soon after Powell's speech. I was very impressed with Kareem's story. I truly wish that Kareem had not died. I think that the man he would have become would have made some very positive contributions.
I hope that Obama will be elected too! America needs some positive changes and I just don't think that McCain brings anything positive to the table.
I read the following article today. I am glad to read that Iraqis are taking more and more responsibility for their own country and well being. That is as it should be. I hope the American occupation of Iraq can end soon. I hope that Iraqis can live peacefully together afterward.
Iraqi forces prepare to take control
What a psycho!!
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9411R800&show_article=1
The reality is that among average people world wide, the word "Arab" brings up "terrorist", "religious fanatic", "anti-semitic", "burning the US flag", "misogynist", "torture", etc. Arabs as a group have a very bad reputation today. I don't know what can be done about this.
The reality is that among average people world wide, the word "American" brings up "torture", "terrorist", "religious fanatic", "anti-muslim", "burning the US flag", "racist", etc. Americans as a group have a very bad reputation today. I know what can be done about this.
Bassam, re your link, she wasn't a volunteer. she worked for the campaign. this is not meant to imply what she did was part of her job description. she was fired btw.
some of these young republicans get into a gangho mode prior to elections. this same thing happened in 06 Alleged political hate crime not what it seemed
Ann Arbor police said Justin Zatkoff, the executive director of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, was not attacked by "liberal thugs," as posted on the conservative blog truthcaucus.com.
apparently todd went back to the apartment of some young republican mcCain staff workers after the attack who 'urged' her to go to the police.
in 3 hrs i'm off to work on the campaign in a battleground state til after the election. got my fingers crossed. wish us (the world) luck for an obama landslide.
one more thing. you know racism drives me nuts. this recent (relatively) anti arab meme in the US won't be lasting imho. lots of money has been dedicated to making it stick but i don't think beyond the rabid right it will take hold. the fringes of the loony fundie extremists and neocons have dominated the discourse of the gop and they are paying the price for it in this election.
i have faith goodness will prevail.
Help, I've got to call the Voter Registrar of LA City, I haven't gotten my ballot yet.
Just found you through Sunshine. I completely agree with you. We (in America) should be embarrassed that our fellow countrymen and women are so close-minded and fearful and hateful.
I am hoping that Obama will prevail and his message of peace and unity will begin to make a difference.
I apologize for the hurt this type of ignorance causes - I am doing what I can to spread light and understanding. It's hard sometimes not to "hate back". I know that will just prolong the problem though...
Take care and thanks -
Bonnie in Houston, TX
Thanks, Optimist!
If The Öbama were Arab or Muslim? I still wouldn't vote for him.
But if he was, do you think he'd be less likely to turn his back on Iraqis, come whatever may?
"I still wouldn't vote for him."
Well, you are a free man in a free country! You don't have to vote for him. There are million others who would!
b
Ha ha, yeah, I'll probably be outnumbered by about a million to one tomorrow.
America's about to roll the bones on a guy whose first significant executive accomplishment will be to miraculously fix everything that is wrong with the country and the world. What could go wrong?
BTW, I'm pretty sure McCain's rebuke to that woman didn't mask any racism ("he's decent, not Arab"), he was rejecting her position on the whole.
Oh well.
No one can fix the world. I don't even believe Obama will if he becomes the president but there are other things he can do to fix some things like the US foreign policy which was hugely damaged by the eight years of the Republicans' rule.
The world would not be fixed but it'll definitely be better without a new Bush or Palin who just recently had her passport issued.
One more day and it will all be over...YES!
Bassam,
I just wanted to say that I agree with Rhus, I don't think McCain has a bias against Arabs. He was reacting to the "Obama can't be trusted part". If there was anyone that McCain might have had a bias against, it would have been the Vietnamese. Yet he has pushed for better relations with Vietnam. I think he's a decent guy who has been shoehorned into a vicious campaign by some rather moronic advisors. In any case, no matter who wins on Tuesday, I will hope he will have the wisdom to do what is right for our country.
Cheers.
"I will hope he will have the wisdom to do what is right for our country."
Thank you! Is it really hard for some people to say this.
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