Unjustified Prejudice

All groups of people become haunted by stereotypes imposed on them by the media at some point in their lives. However, some groups suffer from these embarrassing labels and acquisitions more than others. I believe people form Middle Eastern descent who live in America, especially Afghans and Iranians, endure much more criticizing and labeling from the media than many other cultural groups. Because of the events of September eleventh,the nationwide fear of the individuals Saddam Hussein an Osama Bin Laden, many Middle Eastern people are judged unfairly by society. When we see a dark skinned, Arab resembling person walking down the street we automatically assume they are terrorist because that is what television, movies, and newspapers have conditioned us to think.

Movies about Middle Eastern people blowing up buildings, making violent threats, and kidnapping Caucasian soldiers have brainwashed us into thinking any descendant from that part of the world will perform those unforgivable acts just like in the movies. Television and newspapers have also contributed to this unfair judgment by displaying clips of home made videos from terrorist or uncovering disturbing information on terrorists’ whereabouts and potential future plans. An example of this unjust persecution influenced by the media is after nine eleven occurred, my Indian friend told me about the new found hostility she and her family experienced from the citizens of her town who had known and previously befriended the family. Just because my friend and her family resembled the terrorist who had conducted the nine eleven attacks, people of the town began to isolate the family by throwing eggs and toilet paper on their house and making rude comments about them in public.

Black people are also stereotyped more than people realized. My kids and I went shopping at Walmart, a caucasian lady left her purse open and walked a little ways off, and when we came up she ran to her buggy. She screamed at her daughter, you know they steal, why did you leave my purse unattended? I thought you were watching it! I assured her, ma'am my children nor I would never take anything that didn't belong to us, I couldn't tell you about anyone one else, but we don't steal. She looked at me, nodded and walked away.My children were surprised, because they never experienced racism first hand. I was pissed off, not because of how she feel toward black people, but she is teaching her child to stereotype. I was accused out of all people, one thing I hate with a passion is a thief. My first apartment,was robbed the same day I moved everything in it, came back it was all gone. I cried like a colicky baby, I never got my stuff back, and that's when I first experienced people that steal. My mom has always told me that a man don't work, don't eat, but he will eventually steal. Life is hard at times, but God is protecting us through it all.

~Angela