This was written by my sister on October 30th 2008 a few days before Obama was elected. She canvased for him back then and faced so many rude people... I love her so much!
Racism & Other issues in the United States of American, 2008
I moved back to the United States of America in 2002. I had been
waiting for that moment all my life spent in India. I was anxiously
waiting to come back to MY country finally. The country I was born in.
The country I was so proud of. Through reading magazines, newspapers,
watching Hollywood movies, listening to the variety of music made in
America, and watching the news & media people in other countries
learn that ANYTHING and everything is possible in America! Everyone’s
dreams can come true in America! Francis Scott key included the phrase
“the land of the free, and the home of the brave…” in the national
anthem, that we sing with such pride and joy, which grants our citizens
freedom.
I was so proud to be apart of a nation that made room for EVERYONE.
People from all walks of life: race, ethnic origin, religion, and sexual
orientation. To grant these people equal rights and freedom is
something that other countries may lack. Living in India exposed me to
the lack of freedom and rights given to people who had different beliefs
and values than that of society. It was so wrong for a Hindu to marry a
Muslim. Woman did not have the kind of support to stand up to an
abusive husband, or their rapist. People don’t have too many divorces,
and continue to live in their dysfunctional marriages. People are
ostracized in their own homes if they ‘come out of the closet’, or
police authorities can go to the point of punishing persons for being
homosexual. These are a few examples of the lack of freedom that I talk
about.
When I moved to the United States, I was happy to see how accepting
people are towards other people (externally, they seem to leave others
alone and mind their own business). I was happy to see that single
mothers have the opportunity to make something of themselves, and give
their children equal opportunities that a woman with a husband could. I
was happy to see that people care for one another. I was happy to see
that a homosexual couple could be seen in public holding hands. I was
happy to see people of different colors, nationalities and religions
live in harmony.
I witnessed a few different instances of racism, but didn’t think
too much of it. But I think I clearly see a miniscule slice of racism in
America now that we have a Black man running for President. I did not
expect ‘race’ to be an issue, although the last two weeks before
Election Day has shown otherwise.
Working for the Obama campaign in medina OH has been really hard,
since I hear the ‘N’ word a few times each day. I have often gotten this
response: “I am not racist, but I don’t know how good I feel about a
BLACK person being our president, he was okay as a Senator though”.
Also, the assumption that he is Muslim, or an Arab, or has a
“Muslim”/”Arab” name, is both idiotic and sad at the same time. I have
many Catholic and other Christian friends from Middle Eastern countries
that have “Muslim” first and last names, who are Christian. Never have
been MUSLIM, and neither have their Grandparents, or great grandparents
or great great grandparents. What does a name mean? Hold? What is in a
name?
Also, what if he was a Muslim? So what? What’s wrong with being an
Arab? A Muslim? Lets address the Muslim aspect of this first. What about
the American-Muslim child who aspires to be the President someday?? Is
that not possible, in a country where they preach freedom and equality?
On the account of being Arab…people seem to believe that Arabs look a
certain way, and are most probably Muslim. Do anti-Muslim Americans know
that there are Arab people who are Christian? There are Arabs who
look like Caucasians? Also, that not ALL Arab Muslims are religious
extremists and follow the words of Syyid Qutb (the man whose ideas would
shape Al Qaeda. Please read his book ‘Milestones’ to learn more), or
the Al Qaeda doctrines?? (With all due respect to Christians)I often
wonder how these people who dislike anything arab would react if their
lord’s son Jesus Christ were to descend from the heavens. Would they
believe he were the son of god? Would they believe anything he says? Or
would they condemn him for looking like an “arab”/”jew”/”israelite”?
Because for sure, Jesus Christ was not a white skinned ‘Aryan’, with
thin light brown hair. The chances of him having light eyes, let alone
blue are quite slim (
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/basic/christ/physical_appearance.htm,
http://www.thenazareneway.com/likeness_of_our_saviour.htm,
http://www.jesuscentral.com/ji/questions/how/describe_the_physical_appearance_and_generally_how_174.php
) That reminds me, the Ku Klux Klan (the circle clan, founded in TN,
1865), was an all protestant, white cult which had a few leaders who
were previously Reverends, who used the lords name to execute hatred,
suffering and even death upon anyone who was catholic, black, Jewish and
other foreigners. When members of the Klan would burn crosses they
would play ‘amazing grace’. What a shame. Now, are these people
ignorant? Uneducated? Or correct in what they believe?
The term ‘nigger’ was historically used to describe people of
African origin, but also means “an unlearned person”. If these people
mentioned above were not ‘unlearned’, then what were they? I do not
think that word should be a part of anyone’s vocabulary whether they are
white or black. I am very sad to see that people have started using
this word again as the election nears (in hatred). I do not think it is
right under ANY circumstances. I was called an “N***** lover” last week
for supporting Obama by two individuals who claimed that I was too ‘hot’
to support him. They went on to justify how it was okay for them to use
the word so loosely. I may not be of African decent, but it does offend
me. I do not take racism lightly. When my mother was a little child
living in England she was spat on by Skinheads. They told her “Paki, go
home!” As a child she didn’t understand, and when she learnt why she was
afraid and felt less fortunate for not being ‘white’. That was not the
only story that led me to my disappointment.
Isn’t there enough hatred in this world, why hate someone for being
another color? Darker people have extra melanin in their skin that
ensures protection from the sun as they live closer to the equator. Is
that so bad? Can that not be understood?
I would be more understanding of this sort of hatred if racist
people were from a third world or a less fortunate country. This is
America!! This is a first world country!! This county grants citizen
with free or affordable education!! How can educated people think like
this?
I am also distraught on how there is a double standard in society.
Talking “black” or in ‘Ebonics’ is looked down upon by middle class
America. I think that most minorities have to work so hard to gain
respect in society. Some examples of these double standards are: Laura
Bush talking with a southern accent vs. (if) the Obama’s were to use
Black Vernacular or have a “black” accent. Somehow people believe that
having a southern accent is more acceptable than speaking in a “black”
fashion. Therefore, “ya’ll” and Palin’s famous “you betcha’ (Wink)” is
still okay!
Palin’s large family is looked at as “normal” or “average”. Most
‘average Americans’ are NOT known to have five children. Maybe a few
years ago, but not today. I wonder if Obama would be considered to be a
“typical Black person” had he had five children (?).
Also, if he had a 17year old daughter who was pregnant, would that
have been seen as “typically black”? But people seem to be very
accepting of Palin’s daughter Bristol’s pregnancy.
How about Cindy McCain’s drug addiction for three years? She lied to
doctors, made up fake medical needs for prescriptions to attain pain
killers to use it HERSLEF. Where is her penalty? We know that
celebrities get lenient sentences,… what if Michelle Obama were to have
tricked doctors to get drugs for her own drug addiction, what would
middle class America think of that?
I cannot relate to this double standard. I cannot relate to “average
Joe” or the “Joe six-pack” talk given by Gov. Sarah Palin. Why are we
lowering our standard, the idea of conservativeness & the idea of an
average American??? Do most average Americans have pregnant daughters?
Do Average Americans believe that an eighteen year old is ready to be a
mommy and a wife? Do Average Americans believe that it’s okay for an
individual’s grandchild and child be a little over a year apart? Do
Average Americans believe that they MUST buy designer clothes to LOOK
GOOD?? Do they think that JC penny’s is not good enough? Really???
I’ll tell you what, the day I was informed that Palin made rape
victims’ in the state of Alaska pay for their own rape kits, sent a cold
chill down my spine. Who would support that?
I will now state why I am supporting Obama, and why I shall NEVER
elect neither McCain nor Sarah Palin to office. A VP is a step away from
being president, and if anything were to happen to McCain…Sarah Palin
is not fit to be president. Also, McCain’s lapse of judgment caused me
to question what other decisions he may make to satisfy certain
requirements. She could not name ONE newspaper/magazine she reads. She
was wrong at stating the JOB DESCRIPTION of the VP position (Chris
Matthews, Hardball CNN). She cannot name ONE Supreme Court ruling she
disagrees with. What about Plessey v. Fergusson!?!?!? That’s one we all
learn in American High school. I went to American high school for a year
and a half and learnt at least that much! Running for VP of the
country? Sad !! How can we rely on her? It also does not help to know
that their partnership in this race is not working out very well,
considering that their aides have been having a hard time getting along
with one another.
I have felt strongly about Sarah Palin, since she spoke of rape
victims and how they must not be able to have an abortion, also they
must pay for their own rape kits (about approx. $200). I do not think
she shows ANY sort of support to victims, or to their suffering.
I am a rape victim. This had happened to me in 2003, shortly after I
had moved back to the US (moved here Nov. 2002). I was a virgin. I was
not dating the guy who had taken my virginity against my will. I was too
small to fight back (I am 5’2”, and at the time less than 100 lbs). I
was brutally raped, beaten, with a gun held to my head, later drugged
(after I begged for my life). I was also threatened not to tell anyone. I
came home that night thankful to be alive, having the opportunity to
see my loved ones maybe for the last time, and to bid them farewell
before possibly ending my life, before HE came back. I did not know how
to tell my culturally conservative Indian family about what had just
happened to me. Also, such incidents are not really heard of in the
Indian community. “Sex” is not casually talked about in our culture. I
did not know what to do. The many fears in my heart, one of which was
possibly getting pregnant urged me to attempt suicide. So I did. The
blow dryer gave out, it didn’t work. I lived. The next day, due to my
sickened, sad, scared, disturbed state of my mind, I told two friends,
which later led to telling higher authorities in the school. My mother
was informed. I was taken to the Nord center, Lorain OH (rape crisis
center), where the rape kit was performed and I had moral support too.
That was a blessing to me. I had hope to live. I was given the day after
pill. The evidence was gathered, and I had a victim’s advocate who was
there for emotional support.
Now, what would have happened had my parents never found out? I
would have probably killed myself, since I did not know about ‘planned
parenthood’, the rape crisis center, or anything about the justice
system or emergency rooms services, since I hadn’t lived in the United
States for that long. I am not ashamed to tell my story. I would never
want any woman, or anyone’s wife, mother or child to go through what I
have been through. I also speak for many Indian, Arab, Muslim,…,woman
from culturally conservative backgrounds. I know of some who have been
raped by family members whose parents STILL know nothing about it.
Fortunately they have not had to bear the burden of pregnancy since they
were raped before puberty. Still that DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT OR OKAY.
I don’t think that a rape victim should have to bear the burden of
being a mother to a child, if they had not intended to consent to sex.
If sex had been enforced on them, there is no need for the victim to
give up goals in life to be a mother. I believe that they must have the
right to choose. This is one of the most compelling reasons why
Republican Sarah Palin, the hockey MOM will not get my vote. Senator
McCain has taken a ‘cheap decision” in choosing Sarah Palin without a
detailed due diligence and that is certainly WRONG JUDGEMENT. Hence, he
will not be getting my vote for President of this great nation. I
respect Senator McCain for all the great things he has done in the past,
but from the RNC – convention – he has demonstrated wrong judgment in
more than one occasions.
I am currently an agnostic. I lost faith, and was an atheist shortly
after the incident mentioned above. Sometimes to the point to where it
may have reached blasphemy (not in the literal sense, but I hated ‘god’
for not being there for me). I am trying to give the bible a chance
since I am dating a lovely boy who has strong faith. Of course, I would
ideally like to share the same faith or even a little close. Even if I
were to be a Christian someday, I would always leave room for people of
other religions. I don’t think it’s all about ME, and what I believe in.
I’m sure there are other people who believe that the Koran or the
Gita,…etc is the word of god. I am also sure that those people do not
seek to be ‘saved’. Therefore, I disagree with the Christian
fundamentalists who try to control the governance of this great country.
I do understand how these people (with all due respect to
Christianity—since not all religious people are the same) can support a
war in a foreign country. Defense is different than WAR. Killing living
people yet trying to save ‘unborn’ children? Makes no sense. (In no way
do I support abortions to be used as a form of contraception; in fact I
believe that it is an awful form of concealment, to cover up a mishap.
Although I still feel that just because I FEEL it is wrong doesn’t mean
that other woman who think different can’t make the choice to support it
or have an abortion).
After much research I have come to the conclusion that racism
exists, but it is a miniscule population. Even though it is disturbing
and disappointing to be still present, I am thankful we have moved
forward. More Americans are accepting of different racial, ethnic and
religious citizens. I find myself grateful for the movement away from
the past of emerging neo-Nazism and KKK groups. (44% of white voters are
currently supporting Obama).
Just an observation: the crowd gathered to hear Barack Obama is
beautiful, colorful, and full of character. THAT I BELIEVE is AMERICA.
Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans,
Europeans, Christians, Jews, Jains, Buddhists,…….Sikhs(with turbans),
Muslims, homosexuals, the rich, poor, labor unions, celebrities,…. Yes,
that’s the AMERICA I want to live in. That’s the America id like to see.
That’s the America that has room for EVERYBODY.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
I am not trying to tell anyone that this is the right way to vote.
These are just my thoughts on issues lingering on my mind. I just
thought I would share them with people, especially since I have voiced
my strong opinions on this election on facebook. I respect how people
feel, but these are my reasons for voting in this direction.
LONG LIVE – THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
