All American Muslim

[als463]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Lol sister we finally agree on something. You worded it way better than I did. (aka sometimes when you're posting on a message board, things don't come out right) I never thought they were terrorists. After high school I didn't think anything of Muslims because there were none there. I began college in 1999 and meeting people of all backgrounds and colors was something new. I learned that there were many great people, and this was before 9/11. I didn't know much about the 93 bombing so I really had no opinion. Had I started college after 9/11, because, really, negativity about Muslims is all the media portrays. I might've thought different. But that wasn't the case.



It's not stupid actually lol. Many Muslims (and Chaldeans and Lebanese and Arab in general) do have an accent even though they were born here. But I also see an accept between people in my little area of southeastern Michigan. Eastsiders especially.

No worries. I knew what you meant. I came from a small town and started college after September 11th. In fact, I was in the military at the time it happened. I can still remember the hateful comments people in my small town would make about the whole situation. I'm glad there is a show like this to help other people who don't have much diversity see things from a different perspective. My town is about 99% Caucasian. Not everyone leaves my town to go to the military or college. Many of the people on here who may have been fortunate enough to grow up in a diverse town would be shocked at the beliefs still held by some of the people (of all ages) in my hometown because they never actually left.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

Many of the people on here who may have been fortunate enough to grow up in a diverse town would be shocked at the beliefs still held by some of the people (of all ages) in my hometown because they never actually left.

Most people in this country do not grow up in diverse "towns." The average American may see or interact with people of a different religion, race, ethnicity, or culture at work or school (sometimes, not even that) but consciously and subconsciously spends more valued time in religiously, racially, ethnically, and culturally segregated friendship and family environments.

So, there is nothing shocking about what PM_Mama experienced. What is interesting is how she conceptualized and expressed what she learned. Afterall, "many I met were wonderful people." But, of course, PM_Mama will claim ignorance and pretend as though I was just randomly trying to create one of "those threads."

Anyway, back to the thread that is not really about a show.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Most people in this country do not grow up in diverse "towns." The average American may see or interact with people of a different religion, race, ethnicity, or culture at work or school (sometimes, not even that) but consciously and subconsciously spends more valued time in religiously, racially, ethnically, and culturally segregated friendship and family environments.

So, there is nothing shocking about what PM_Mama experienced. What is interesting is how she conceptualized and expressed what she learned. Afterall, "many I met were wonderful people." But, of course, PM_Mama will claim ignorance and pretend as though I was just randomly trying to create one of "those threads."

Anyway, back to the thread that is not really about a show.

Actually no, I'm not ignorant. I didn't conceptualize what I learned.... I worded my thoughts incorrectly. Als worded it better.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Actually no, I'm not ignorant. I didn't conceptualize what I learned.... I worded my thoughts incorrectly. Als worded it better.

Thanks to als463.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Thanks to als463.

Oh, well thank you ladies! The truth is that we should thank EVERYONE in this thread for making it such a great topic of discussion. If we never have discussions like this, things will never change. I applaud PM Mama for bringing up this show (which I hadn't even heard of--though I watch more television than I should even admit) and DrPhil (as well as anyone else) who made a point to look at this from a different perspective. I think we can all learn from one another on here.

I think I may check this show out! Thanks PM Mama for bringing it to my attention. Also, thanks for giving me another reason to procrastinate in doing my work , lol.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

If we never have discussions like this, things will never change.

Realistically, discussions like this are not what make things substantively change. Things change when societies remove incentives and resources for keeping things the way they are; and add incentives and resources for change.

There are plenty of people who will watch All American Muslim, claim to be gaining insights, and will still say and do things that potentially negatively impact Muslims. To reiterate what I typed on page 1, shows like All American Muslim, Black in America, and Latina in America tend to merely create "exceptions to the rule." Such is life and the constant challenge of differences across groups of people (which are not inherently bad) and the inequalities that were created based on those differences.

Just being honest to avoid the ponies pissing rainbows routine that tends to happen when people discuss group dynamics. We can discuss a show and discuss the details behind the show without it becoming about some sweeping change that is going to make the planet fart unicorns.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Realistically, discussions like this are not what make things substantively change. Things change when societies remove incentives and resources for keeping things the way they are; and add incentives and resources for change.

There are plenty of people who will watch All American Muslim, claim to be gaining insights, and will still say and do things that potentially negatively impact Muslims. To reiterate what I typed on page 1, shows like All American Muslim, Black in America, and Latina in America tend to merely create "exceptions to the rule." Such is life and the constant challenge of differences across groups of people (which are not inherently bad) and the inequalities that were created based on those differences.

Just being honest to avoid the ponies pissing rainbows routine that tends to happen when people discuss group dynamics. We can discuss a show and discuss the details behind the show without it becoming about some sweeping change that is going to make the planet fart unicorns.

Oh, no I don't think this thread will necessarily open up doors or eyes of people who choose not to read but, I do think it's great to have these conversations. For instance, I remember you saying something in a thread (I think it was you) that said something about how saying, "I have a ____ friend," really makes a person look dumb. To be honest, until that was said in that thread, I never thought about it and I'm sure I was guilty of it as well. No, I didn't make racial slurs and then say, "Well, my friend is ___ so, that is okay" but, I'm sure I have said things similar to, "I'm not racist. Don't call me that. I have friends who are ____." When it was mentioned by people of various races in a thread, I started being more aware of what I say and how I say it. In fact, I def. pick up on it when other people do it. So, this may not change everyone's perspective but, it can help those of use (a general we) who didn't realize how close-minded we sounded.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Most people in this country do not grow up in diverse "towns." The average American may see or interact with people of a different religion, race, ethnicity, or culture at work or school (sometimes, not even that) but consciously and subconsciously spends more valued time in religiously, racially, ethnically, and culturally segregated friendship and family environments.

Anyway, back to the thread that is not really about a show.

I didn't watch the show--I don't really watch that much TV so it's no surprise there.

Sometimes diversity leads to more segregation. In terms of numbers, I didn't grow up in a diverse town the way that NYC or SF are "diverse cities," but there was a lot less segregation since there wasn't a _____ community the way that some cities have. Because of the military, my hometown has substantial populations of Thai and Filipina women; but outside of that, there are only handfuls of other ethnic groups and they tend to associate with larger groups. For example, the Indo-Caribbean people will associate with the larger "Black community" in my hometown, while in NYC they are segregated by countries--there are delineated Trinidadian and Guyanese communities that don't mix all that often. Eastern Europeans and other white immigrants just get assimilated into specific "white" communities based on their socio-economic status. I guess it's more of a "melting pot," which has its benefits and drawbacks.

The accent thing that PM_Mama mentioned doesn't surprise me at all--I see it in some groups here. If they're living in insular communities, patronizing the same businesses, and going to schools in the same areas, then there are fewer opportunities to interact with larger communities and the accents stay, even among second-generation Americans.