A Victim of Stereotype within America - Essay Example

Stigma America is among the countries where most people from other parts of the world would cherish visiting. During my childhood, I heard of nice stories concerning America and thus had a dream of visiting the country once in my lifetime. According to the stories, this was among the best countries to live in since the citizens were caring and hospitable. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to study and I chose the nation in order to accomplish my childhood dream. When I arrived in the country, a new environment, beautiful buildings, magnificent and busy streets marveled me. I really loved the place and wished I had been born in such a beautiful country. However, I never knew that such a beautiful country had various problems more so among foreigners. Moreover, the knowledge or thought of being an Arab and a Muslim never crossed my mind until the time I joined the university. According to research conducted by the New York Times, about 25% of Americans have negative feelings and attitude towards Muslims because of the 9/11 attack. Being a Muslim, I faced various problems related to race and religious affiliation. I realized I was very different from people of other races or religions such as Christians and Jews. On realizing that I was a Muslim, my first friend in America got out of touch with me. I remained isolated and this depressed me so much. Moreover, I never felt ashamed of my race and religion before visiting America. However, from the abuses, use of offensive names and insults, I was always ashamed of being a Muslim and never responded to questions regarding my religion. For instance, when I visited public places such as coffee shops and malls, I was on several accounts told to return to Saudi Arabia to practice and preach the “dirty” religion. Thus, I was always a victim of stereotype within America. Moreover, living in a post 9/11 America meant being suspicious.. I was always suspected to be a terrorist and was treated and handled with caution. For example, victims of crimes and tragedies related with Islam such as the 9/11 event were in most cases driven by fear and remained vigilant. Thus, most of them segregated themselves with anyone or anything that evoked memories of Islam. For instance, most citizens feared sitting next to me or people with headscarves or beaded men in public vehicles, planes, and trains. This is because we were considered dangerous and branded terrorists. However, personally, I have never associated with any terrorist group and do condemn activities of terrorists. Consequently, most of the American children were taught words as well as objects to fear and Muslims were the target. Truly, this is sad and makes me feel unwanted and dangerous to other Americans who perceive me as a nasty individual. Consequently, there were biasness towards me as I was exposed to frequent and thorough security checks. Guards and security personnel gave me hectic time since I had a Muslim name. Unlike people from other races, I would be singled out and screened thoroughly when visiting public places such as the airports, restaurants, and bus terminus since I was always suspected to be a terrorist. This constitutes stigmatization because despite not being associated with terrorist activities, I am always seen as one and treated with contempt compared to other individuals who are not Muslims or lack Muslim or Arab names. Moreover, such thorough search and screening made me feel like an alien and thus making my life and stay in America miserable. However, despite the racial, religious, and ethnic sentiments and treatment directed at me, I responded positively and ensured it does not affect or obstruct my studies. I believed these experiences and tribulations constituted some kind of blessings towards my studies. Despite the abuses and negative sentiments directed at me, I never took them personal and this helped me understand people and appreciate various types of individuals in the society. Having an understanding of the different people around me also assisted and ensured that I never created enemies with my classmates and even neighbors and thus, has made my life relatively easy and comfortable. Further, developing an understanding towards my abusers and criticizes has shifted my focus since I never concentrate much on the negative racial and religious sentiments. This has offered me the opportunity to concentrate on my studies instead of thinking or concentrating on the miseries that might occur from the stigmatization. Thus, taking the stigmatization as normal has increased my performance in class work since my major aim is to disapprove my critics who view me as a lesser being. Moreover, despite treating and considering me as a terrorist, I always try my best to behave in an ethical manner by avoiding any form of violence towards my colleagues. This is to show my haters that despite associating me with violence, I am a humble and peace loving Muslim. The purpose of this action is to prove to my colleagues and other Americans that not every Muslim is a terrorist or behaves violently in the society. I hope this will reduce or minimize the negative stereotypes associated with Islam and reduce misery faced by Muslims in America and in other parts of the world. In conclusion, I condemn stigmatization directed towards Arabs and Muslims in America since it stagnates the growth and development of the great nation. Therefore, the government and various activists groups should condemn and campaign against this issue since it causes misery on the fellow human beings. America and the entire world should consider Arabs and other Muslims as normal people in the society who need to be respected, understood, and given rights and opportunities just like other individuals from other races, religion, and ethnic backgrounds. I believe that developing and having an understanding and respect for every person regardless of differences in religion or race will make America become the dreamland of most people in the world and thus, improve its image in the whole world. Read More