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I am hopeful....
I am hopeful that we, as Americans, listen to the Arab-American groups who have come out against these cowardly assassins and realize that these are our neighbors and fellow Americans. They were assaulted along with the rest of us. Undoubtedly, there are Arab-Americans that have lost family, friends, and colleagues as a result of this disaster. Most of these people fled their country for a better life here in the US; just like many Europeans did many years ago. These people are citizens, and contribute the diversity and "melting pot" that America has always been.
I am hopeful that we have seen enough violence from outside our country that we can come together as a country - ALL of us, of every descent. That is what America stands for, and we all need to keep it in our hearts and minds.
Each of us has the responsibility to refute those ignorant enough to blame Arab Americans for this. This is the behavior of militant cowards in Afghanistan and from the Taliban; groups which most Muslims do not condone or support. Each of us must continue to support the US, ALL of it.
Hopefully, if you hear ignorance and fear causing people to strike out against Arab Americans, you will defend the fact that these folks were attacked too. Their homes, their families, their lives are in the same danger as each of us is. I know I will.
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