[NettaV]

There has to be something that we can do. I have just heard on CNN that Hate Crimes are up across the country. I swear that makes me sick, have some people lost their minds. Can't they see that is not the answer, to take their frustrations and anger on another innocent victem. Why do I feel that some of these people are probably just stupid "********s" that only needed some sort of excuse to do what they are doing. Are they the "the good old boys" in small towns like mine? YES!!!! I think it's very sick and I am pissed about this. That is not the spirit of America!!!!!!!!

They are not being Patriotic and protecting our country they are just carrying out crimes. CRIMES that they should be punnished for. America is the melting pot of the world, will that change now, NO and it shouldn't that is what makes us who we are. We are here because one of our ancestors had a dream of FREEDOM, the freedom that America can offer. EVEN if you are from one of the original colonist they had a dream and that dream was to be a free country were everyone had the same rights.

I know that I am not alone in this forum that many of my friends here will feel the same way, I guess I am just venting. I swear my keyboard is smoking, I am typing so fast.

If any of you have any ideas of what we can do to STOP this please let me know, I am open to anything.

Darn it I got excited and posted this without even saying see ya or anything.

May peace and love be with you all my friends.

Netta

[This message has been edited by NettaV (edited September 17, 2001).]

[mlaursen]

NettaV,
Hi...if you find the answer PLEASE let me know. I am an American-Arab of Christian faith, and I am witnessing these hate crimes myself. I live in a fairly large city, Syracuse, NY, and the hate is everywhere.

Emotions are running high and local retaliation has already begun against Arab citizens. Not all people are reacting this way, but the few that are spewing hatred and confronting people on the streets are enough to cause even further damage. I fear that hatred and fear will overcome the people, where in fact, love should prevail. It brings me back to the days of Desert Storm. I nearly had to drop out of college, in fear of the anger and hatred that surrounded me. It was a very stressful time and I walked with fear. I do not look Arabic, but my name gave it away, as did my friendship among my peers who knew I was Arabic. I fear again...and I find myself arming my home with the alarm system, and locking my bedroom door. And at the same time, I feel it is ridiculous for me to fear so much. But there was a part of me that feels safer doing so.

I can only pray that God will forgive us all...

Thank you,
Mireille

[NettaV]

Mireille,

Hi, I am glad to hear from you, I have been wondering how you are. I am sooooo sorry for people's attitudes. I fear for you also, please be careful and take care of yourself. I wish there was some other words of encouragement that I could give you. I am affraid I don't have them.

I am mad, very mad. People are so stupid, ok so these individuals harmed us, but that makes it ok to single out every American-Arab out there or any one else they think deserves it. NONONONONO!!!!!

I am of no real herritage, (just a mix of god knows what) born and bred in Missouri god forbid full of Rightous stupid "good ole boys" I know that they will not target me, but I feel helpless as I hear many more innocent Americans are being Targeted. I am sickened and ashamed. Mireille, you tell me, what can I do for you and more people like you. I want to do something, we have to do something to protect you.

You have all my prayers with you. Keep in touch and let me know how you are hanging in there. Do you still have my email address?

talk to you soon.

Netta

[This message has been edited by NettaV (edited September 17, 2001).]

[longwaytogo]

I agree!! What can I do??

I get so upset when I hear about the hate crimes. Not only because of the senselessness of the crime, but also, the fact that it takes police and FBI time to solve that crime. That's time and resources taken away from solving the original problem.

We've had a store owner killed here in Dallas for no other reason that his heritage. It's so disgusting.

[Nitra]

Oh I agree Netta. I work with many Arab-Americans and know many others. Saleem told me the other day they had a police escort to go to Mosk. The thought someone must be protected to go pray is sad. My office is very diverse, we have people from many countries working there. We celebate the diversity with many functions.

Some people are so narrow minded. I have been fighting with my own mother over this issue. She has that attitude of well no need to condemn them all but you should be cautious of your friendships with them. I tried to explain the religion and beliefs of those few extremeists are not what the majority feel.

It is so sad when an entire heritage is judged because of the actions of a few.

The anger they are feeling is being directed to innocent people. Im so sorry that this is happening.



Our Lady Of Liberty

Liberty enlightening the world....
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

by EMMA LAZARUS

[Beth]

Hi all, I just finished reading this post and all the responses with sadness. It's terrible whats going on here now that this has happened. We've always had racism in this country but it seems like its given those who are ignorant the excuse they were looking for to retaliate. Thats what this comes down too.... Did they punish all white men when Mcveigh(i know i misspelled this) was found guilty for oklahoma?? Nope , thats why I believe this is a excuse to punish those who are not the right skin color. I find it scarey for my family as well, even tho my children are not from the middle east they are native american and I fear for them because they don't look like me who is of course white. I went to the store today, the first time i've really left the house other than taking the kids to school and wondered if people were looking our way...or if they will hear something at school, it is scarey that this sad tragedy has allowed those with hatred a way to inflict pain on those who are different. So I feel for you mireille and understand somewhat what your going thru, I pray for you and all those who are innocent victims in this tragedy as well and hope that those few individuals in this country that shame us like this will be stopped because I believe over all we are a great country with so much to offer everyone of every nationality.. and I truly believe that we are a majority , because we care, hope, and love no matter what the skin color may be..God Bless you and take care

[mlaursen]

Netta,
I just posted, but it didn't take. So, let me try again.

It's been a crazy summer! I got back from Europe, and one sister got married, the other had a baby. My family from Jordan (dad, stepmom, sister, and 2 brothers) came to the USA for the summer. My father is still here. My Gram came for a visit, had a stroke, and is still here with my mother caring for her. It's just been crazy.

I still have your email addy. I hope you have mine. I'm worried about my dad going back home. I'm worried about my family in Jordan, they are so close to all of this. I want them to all come back here.

I wish therre was something you all could do to help these crimes against Arabs, Muslems, and everyone else who even looks close to being Middle Eastern. It's just horrible. The only thing I can say is....help educate everyone you possibly can. Deb cut and pasted a thread I posted in another forum. It's in this folder marked "Someone elses view...Please Read". After she told me she posted it here, I worte a follow up and posted a link. Follow that link. Educate yourself on as many facts as possible and spread the word. This won't change what has happened, but it may, just may help change the perspective of some. Or at the very least, help them to understand why these cowards did what they did. Their actions were wrong...horribly wrong...but we must look at why they did this. We must protect oursevles from this happening again, and arm ourselves with knowledge...

Thanks for all of your support, and please know that not all Arabs, Muslems, or other Middle Easterners are happy about this tragedy, nor do they support it.

Thanks again, Mireille

[NettaV]

To all of you who have responded, god bless you. I am truly ashamed of the actions that are being taken against those of other nations right now, Whether they were born in America or have become Americans, Whatever!!! For some reason, there are a few individuals who think it's right for them to play god. I am praying for you all, for your families for you friends. I want you all to know that this is on my mind constantly and I will find something that we can do.

I want no one to misunderstand me, I am terribly saddened by all the Americans that we have lost, their families and their friends. My thoughts never stray far from them. But that does not make it ok, to target our friends and neighbors who are of a different herritage, I know that almost everyone in this forum will agree with me (you are all so wonderful) We have to do something and fast.

Be thinking ladies, I know I will.

Love and Peace
Netta

[mlaursen]

Netta,
We posted at the same time! To bad we didn't just jump into chat...maybe next time

[NettaV]

Man this has got some response, I am so glad. I don't want to be the only one concerned. I know that we are all scared and concerned over going to war right now and I think we should be. I do not believe that it will be an easily won war. Not in the sense that it will end soon. People are referring to this as being somewhat like "Pearl Harbor" there is something else that we have to remember and that is what we subjected the Japanese Americans too at that time. Let us not make that mistake again.

America is full of smart and compassionate people. Please let us help them all to make the right choices. I have the deep fear however that the people commiting these crimes against other human beings, don't care. They are only looking for the excuse to commit violence against another being. I am sickened and saddened as I am sure most of you are.

Now not only do we have to deal with the loss of so many of our fellow American's commited by the terrorist, but now by our own countrymen? Let us think about this and try and explain this also to our children.

Maybe because I lived in a larger city I have a different perspective, my family is diverse we have about every kind of herritage immaginable, is that what it takes to have some sense. I think not, but maybe it wouldn't hurt, the next time you look at someone from another country imagine they were in your immediate family, of course I know that the problem is not with the people is this forum, I just need to vent and vented I have. Once again thank you all, I love ya.

Mireille, I hope to catch ya soon in chat or something. I have been really busy also, mainly with my kids, school has started again so has all of their activities. It does sound like you have had a really stressful summer. Just know that I am thinking of you and hoping you are handling everything ok. You just email me if you need to "talk" I will find time, my stuff is not that important

love and peace
Netta

[frankles]

This sickened me this morning hearing that and a man from INDIA was killed, I can't imagine how middle eastern people are dealing with this, I think I would be too scared to walk down the street.
I know alot of people don't understand why some americans are concerned for their safety, but the majority of these people have great morals, and loving families, they are here because they want better lives for their children just as we do. They can't help it if a mad man lives and terrorises those countries. No I haven't forgotten about our citizens who died on Tuesday but why add more innocent people to the list.