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The Arizona Republic – August 6, 2006
Bias tearing at real fabric of America
By Bishara Bahbah
What do Japanese-Americans, Italian-Americans, German-Americans and Arab-Americans have in common?
Even though they are citizens of this country, these ethnic groups have been perceived as a threat to U.S. national security during times of conflict between the United States and their countries of origin.
During World War II, Japanese-Americans, loyal Americans most of whom were born on U.S. soil, were forced to live in internment camps. This was an act of injustice and mass condemnation of an entire segment of American citizens based solely on their ethnic origin and the unfounded fear that they would turn against their fellow citizens because of their ethnic origin.
Since the murderous attacks on U.S. soil on Sept. 11, thankfully, Arab and Muslim Americans have not been placed in internment camps.
Nevertheless, they feel besieged and targeted by the country they have grown to love, the same country where most of their children were born and one that has allowed them to prosper and live in freedom and security.
It is not fair to assume all Arab and Muslim Americans are a threat to national security because of the actions of 9/11 murderers who were not American citizens. It is demeaning, insulting, hurtful and damaging to stigmatize Arab and Muslim Americans as a potential fifth column.
The feeling of anguish in the Arab and Muslim communities is widespread, and out of fear of reprisals or drawing unwarranted attention, few have voiced publicly their concerns or fears.
In my own case, it has become the norm for me as I deplane an aircraft upon my return to the United States from an international destination to be escorted by immigration and homeland security agents off the plane. The advantage as one agent once put to me is that I don't have to wait in lines to pass through immigration and customs lines.
The disadvantage is that I am singled out, discriminated against, searched, questioned and have my notes and phonebook copied. I am asked the same questions, and I respond with the same answers. The only reason I can think of is that I am an Arab-American.
Just last week, one of my friends, an interventional cardiologist, was interviewed by the FBI in Scottsdale because he allegedly made remarks critical of Israel's ongoing onslaught against his native country, Lebanon. Ironically, his interview came a single day after a medical doctor commented in a doctors lounge at a local hospital while watching the waging war in Lebanon on television that Israel should "napalm the entire country."
When my friend responded with chagrin that his entire family was in Lebanon, the warmongering doctor responded, "Then, get them out!"
Was that comment not sufficiently hideous and unbefitting a doctor (or anyone else for that matter) to require discipline by the hospital administration and a visit by the FBI?
My reason for writing this article is to highlight a few important points:
It is un-American and despotic to target an entire community of citizens because of their ethnic or religious background.
The security needs of this country need to be carefully balanced so as not to infringe unduly on the rights and freedoms of its citizens. If today Arab and Muslim Americans are targeted and everyone is silent, then tomorrow it could be Latinos and the Jews under suspicion. Over time, and if this behavior persists, the United States will become a country dissimilar to the one envisioned by our Founding Fathers.
We have to carefully weigh the impact of the feeling of alienation and discrimination among an ethnic or religious group. I have never witnessed Arab and Muslim Americans as discouraged as they have become in participating in the political process.
Few are enthusiastic about meeting with elected officials, let alone contributing to political campaigns. Even more are afraid to write, demonstrate or speak up. It is dangerous and counterproductive for a community to feel besieged, isolated and disenfranchised.
The United States emerged over the years as the sole superpower not simply because of its military might but because of the foundation upon which this country was created: its Constitution and Bill of Rights.
These principles defined the rights, freedoms and obligations of its citizens. This is what attracted people from all corners of the globe and made this country the haven for the oppressed, the hard-working, the ambitious and the freedom-loving.
Arab and Muslim Americans are an integral part of the American fabric. This community, just as all others, should be respected, protected and not targeted.
[Bishara Bahbah is an Arab-American and a Scottsdale resident. Bahbah taught at Harvard University, where he also was the associate director of its Middle East Institute. He participated during the 1990s as a delegate in the Middle East peace talks.]
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0806bahbah0806.html
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