Top Of The Table

K-Lee

Sept. 23, 2001

While most of us attempt a return to business as usual, blandly going through the motions of lives that hold such different meaning, a group of us may not be the same for a long time. Along with the pain suffered by the survivors of the terrorist attacks, those mourning losses in the attacks and those working to carry us through to survival, grows a new pain. Shameful acts of prejudice are rearing their foul heads and are making me ashamed of my people.

America is the great country I live in for a great number of reasons. Our nation is a melting pot of various people, races, ethnicities, cultures, and religions. It is the acceptance of all people and the freedom to live our lives as we choose, that makes America a land of honor. My parents are of Irish and German descent. I was raised over- seas. The friends I have from around the world have taught me more about culture than any history book ever did in school. Near my home you can find beautiful Catholic churches, an architecturally beautiful synagogue, and an impressive and gorgeous mosque.

Since September 11th the mosque has been closed.

Around my town are delightful eating establishments, offering Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Southwest Grill and other fantastic edibles. My friends and I try to visit these establishments for the fine cuisine, the culturally influenced atmosphere, and for the polite service offered by their employees.

Since Tuesday, many of these places have received threatening phone calls, had windows smashed, and the very place I work in, which is coined Mediterranean Cuisine, has fallen victim to an attempted break in after close.

My friends are named John, Stephanie, Rob, Suneil, Islam, and Yuko. Some are white, some brown, black, yellow, or freckled.

Suneil could not attend his college on Friday due to the threatening phone calls he received on his answering machine since Tuesday.

It is an accumulation of these disgusting acts and those I have heard of on the news that appall me and leave me thinking that those who commit these acts are perpetuating the very hate that caused this tragedy we all suffer. We ALL suffer. WE ALL SUFFER!

Do you understand? Many of these people you torment are also American citizens, who, like me, had parents or grandparents that wanted a better life for them and gave them life in America. Many of these people you taunt are not Muslim, from that region, or even if they are both, DO NOT EVEN SUPPORT BIN LADEN AT ALL! Many of these people are desperate for our help themselves!

I am a waitress in a restaurant owned by people. Plain and simple, they are people. I like my job, I love the food, and as a three-year student of Middle Eastern Dance, I even love the music! My friends are of all ethnicities, and if you think for a moment, that I will allow you to impress on the world that Americans are racist against anyone wearing a burqa, those with dark skin, or people with Middle Eastern names, you are so very wrong! Grow up America and bond together. This is a time for unity, prayer, meditation, and love.

How would you feel if a small radical group like the Skinheads went to another country and committed these same atrocities? In response, that country blankets all Americans as Skinheads and finds them guilty on sight. Think of your own vulnerability if you resided in that country. Think of how wrong that is.

Now get off the computer and go enjoy some Middle Eastern food. Come to my restaurant and watch the quiet sadness in the owners' eyes as they somberly place American flags around the counters. Feel my pain while I overhear a table say things like,
"We should blow `em all ta hell!"
referring to a region my bosses call home. Endure my shame as our brothers and sisters make ignorant remarks and commit cruel acts. Wipe my tears when we go to war and I fear that I may no longer make tips because Americans might feel the need to boycott anything Middle Eastern.