Everyone should see this.
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About Me
- The Blog of Bee
- Trinidad & Tobago
- British expat living in Trinidad for twenty-eight years. Widowed. Mother of two both of whom have fled the nest! Manager of a department in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. Up Front and Serious is my second Blogger page where in the past I have dealt with issues that I feel strongly about. After a lengthy silence, I still do not seem to able to revive it. Known for speaking my mind!! My Motto: Wear the pearls with the jeans!! Use the crystal. When in doubt, dont. Drink wine. Trust God.
Silly isn't it?!?
ReplyDeleteI'm a 45 year old American and I wouldn't think to treat anyone like this. Far too many of my fellow Americans have a God complex. Far too many of my fellow Americans think they're better than the rest of the world. I don't see how being racist is patriotic? I don't see how being racist in this country, a great melting pot, would or should be acceptable to any other American. But then again, I'm a man of color. I've been discriminated against throughout my life. I'm been called derogatory, racist hateful names by my fellow Americans. I've been stopped while walking down the street with my then 4 year old son and asked for my identification without cause. I've been stopped while driving through a neighborhood and asked for my identification without cause.
I wish I could say I was surprised, but the simple fact of he matter is that the racism train is never late in this country.
Thank you Reggie for visiting and for your comment. I am so sorry that the sort of discrimination you have experienced still exists in the world today.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I understand (to a point) why Americans have this thought pattern towards Muslims I can never condone it. I feel that lack of education together with media hype and scaremongering has a great deal to do with the attitude. I have been fortunate enough to have lived in the Middle East and extremists apart, have only ever experienced a warmth and hospitality that is hard to come by in other countries.
Americans are suspicious. More than care to admit, have yet to accept a black man in the White House. They need to get over it.
I have been married for over 25 years to a Trinidadian of African/Chinese descent. He recounts stories of time spent training in Texas and Oklahoma that leave me chilled. In his early days he told the Vice President of the major American oil service company that he worked for, that he was returning to Trinidad for the weekend to get a haircut. Needless to say that didn't happen but the barber shop was closed so that he could have the cut. The same VP shocked the entire company when he sat down with my husband for lunch in the canteen. By the time I met him (in Nigeria) he had gone on to be a senior executive in said company where it was unheard of for a man of his background to go so far. I have to say that in whichever country we have lived over the years, we have not not experienced any bias or racism.
There is racism here in Trinidad. Predominantly between those of African descent and those of East Indian descent and I blame the politicians because when it comes to General Elections each party plays the race card. The French Creoles (local whites) don't get involved and neither do the Chinese, Syrians, Lebanese or any other of the ethnic groups that make up this rainbow country.
Maybe one day all this will end but I don't see it in my lifetime. Sad, so very sad.
Bee, thankyou for posting this - it was moving, so moving.
ReplyDeleteThe race/religion wounds run wild and open here in England too, but nothing like the rawness of American polarisation.
What is it about women in Hijabs that absolutely terrify Western men?? Impossible to comprehend!
Too few heros. But there are some. I hope this business closed down. Knowing me, I would raise hell.
ReplyDeleteI am without words, Bee. (That's saying a LOT--grin!) I've recently befriended several Muslim Peeps here on the blogs (and F/B) and we have the most wonderful relationships with honest sharing of our cultures, beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThere was immediate understanding with each. I fear to send this to them--they might think all America is like that--and maybe it IS?
Thank you for ranting in this fashion. My FOUR deceased German Grandparents thank you also.