Posted on 09/14/2001 2:06:55 PM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
In the wake of the most diabolical terrorist attacks in the history of the United States, UH faculty and students expressed the importance of American officials learning the identity of those responsible for the crimes. Americans themselves were urged to refrain from reacting to the tragedy with acts of bigotry and prejudice against innocent people. Sophomore university studies student Benson Samuel, a native Houstonian of Indian heritage, said he was "catching tons of s***" Tuesday because he had dark skin. "Everyone is going home because (they are) worried about their safety," Samuel said. "We're lumped into one group because we're dark-skinned with a common heritage." Samuel said he heard many students, Caucasian and black, make disparaging remarks to him as he walked past them on his way to the University Center after news of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks was shown on television. "Basically, I can't walk around campus and head to class because I don't feel safe," Samuel said.
Samuel was not alone in his fear. Former president of the Muslim Student Association Ismail Jafri, a senior management information systems major, said he too had been subjected to harassment and racial slurs as he walked to the UC. "I'd like to express my sincere thoughts of sorrow to the families and victims in New York and Washington," Jafri said. "Pointing fingers and harassing innocent people won't solve anything. It's wrong to take a reactionary approach." Jafri pointed out that nobody knows the identity of the attackers. "It's not confirmed. Even if (the culprits were Muslim), it doesn't matter. It's all about humanity. We should focus on the injured, not reacting to tragedy." Freshman engineering major Naziha Alcon likened the reaction on campus to the aftermath of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. "I want to feel safe. It's ironic that I should be feeling for the people who were injured and killed, but I have to worry about myself," Alcon said.
A sophomore student of Iraqi descent (who agreed to speak to The Daily Cougar only on condition of anonymity) talked about an incident following a political science class where Tuesday's attacks were discussed. The student, who said both he and his parents were born in the United States, had made a statement about the U.S. government supporting the murder of thousands of Muslims, whether in Bosnia, Afghanistan or Chechnya. "I was about to get attacked by a group of white students outside my classroom. They cursed at me and told me to come and f****** speak up now, and told me to go back to throwing rocks and go home." The class's instructor, Professor Harrell Rodgers, accompanied the student from the classroom to the UC at the student's request. "I just think he made a mistake in judgment," Rodgers said of the exchange in class. "We were talking about what happened today, and he said he didn't want to be insensitive, but he held America responsible for the slaughter of Palestinians."
"He said something to the effect that he felt America was getting its due or something. At that point I told myself that was inappropriate to say at that time. I felt it wasn't a good idea for him to say that on this particular day." "When I escorted him out of the building, some students said, 'Come over here and let's talk about it,' but not in a threatening way. I think they wanted to argue the point with him," Rodgers said. "Even the Supreme Court has recognized the principle of 'fighting words,'" he said. "There are circumstances in which things are highly inflamed, and you may cause a real problem when emotions are running high. I just wanted to make sure we didn't have a problem. I don't think anybody wanted to attack him." Elaborating on the feelings he expressed in class, the student said, "Nobody cares (about the deaths of Muslims overseas). It doesn't make the news headlines, and it's a hush-hush thing. But as soon as 35,000 to 50,000 Americans die, it's a big deal."
He made it clear that if the terrorists do prove to be from the Middle East, he does not support the attack. "It's not a representation of Islam or Muslim people," he said. "At the same time, America should have seen this coming, because for many, many years they've been supporting, with American tax dollars, aid to countries which kill innocent civilians. "I think if Americans knew where their tax dollars are going, they wouldn't be as unsympathetic as they are right now. I do sympathize with the people who died, but at the same time America has to understand that they had this coming. "I do hope there are no more attacks, but I would be really amazed to find out if it was someone from the American population who was responsible for this," he said, referring to the fact that immediately after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, there was a lot of mistaken speculation that the culprits were Middle Eastern.
"Those same people who threatened me after class, I'd like to see the reactions on their faces (if) they find out it was one of them," he said. The UH Police Department increased its presence on campus Tuesday in the wake of the day's tension. "We have increased our patrol," said watch commander Lt. Rita Bazile. "We are more on alert." Harassment of Muslim students has not been reported, Bazile said. UH Police Chief Bob Wilson encourages any student who faces harassment, intimidation or threats to report it to his office. "We won't tolerate that for a heartbeat," Wilson said. "They (Muslims) are entitled to the same rights and privileges as you and I are as citizens and they certainly deserve our protection."
"Frankly, I'm amazed to hear about threats being made against them. If anyone receives any threats, we certainly want to hear about it," Wilson said. Karima Benremouga, director of UH's language laboratory, tried to give perspective on Tuesday's events and the reactions to them. "This is a terrible tragedy, not only for the U.S., but for the entire world. Like most Americans, and especially Arab-Americans, I am angry, sad and horrified," Benremouga said. "We try to teach understanding and respect for people of all races and religions and something horrible happens. "It is incomprehensible how any group is capable of committing such a heinous crime against what I consider the most hospitable, democratic and open country in the world. "Will our teaching withstand the message sent by such terrible terrorist attacks? Only time will tell." Kashif Mumtaz, religion advisor and spokesperson for the Muslim Students Association, and Irtiza Hasan, educational advisor and council member of the Muslim Students Association, were also upset when hearing about the events on the East Coast.
"I saw the footage and shivers went down my spine," Hasan said. "We have a sick feeling." But that feeling is only the beginning of what is anticipated to be a rough time for Muslims. Hasan recalled the aftermath of the last major terrorist attack on American soil. "We remember when Oklahoma City was bombed," said Mumtaz. "Muslims were attacked." As the sketchy details trickled in from New York and Washington, leaders of the Muslim Student Association said they have already felt stares and harassment from other students on campus. However, the MSU representatives said they understand the fears and the misconceptions of fellow students. "We can't hold people into account. It's natural. It's not right, it's wrong, but it's a human tendency," Mumtaz said. "We're American as apple pie. But when people look at us, we are 'brown guys.'"
The MSA representatives said they hope to combat negative stereotypes through education. "We want to spread awareness," said Hasan. "We want to let people know that we are against what happened."
My friend, who was sitting in the class session mentioned above, told me the student said, "...America is getting what it deserves."
I would not be surprised if they were the ones who helped train the pigs who flew the plane. Up their assets with a red hot poker.
Yeah, the Israeli's are unprovoked.
Why, no, I haven't! But is there an opening? If so, could you please send me the address and contact point? Please do it by private FReepmail, so I can send in my resume before others do so.
Thanks!
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