Page 22 - Reflections on the Danger of a Single Story

Sara Qatabi cont...
Little did anyone know that my father and brother shaved their faces when they resumed to work. My father had to remove any signs in Arabic and hand the American flag. Somehow we all had to prove our loyalty to the US because our religious and ethnic identity has made us all suspicious. Little did anyone know that after 9/11, all male persons from set countries who had passports from certain countries had to report to immigration offices with their passports and turn it in. My brothers and fathers did. I lived in such a fear after 9/11.
I do not know how we were so mature in our response, my friends and I. We expected teachers to be ill-equipped with dealing with the current events. So what we did is we took it to our own hands. My best friend and I met and decided on what to do. We made handouts and gathered brochures from our Muslim community about the meaning of hijab, terrorism in Islam and what Islam is. We set up events in school, invited teachers and students. We gathered other Arab students and asked them to bring food and come. We organized workshops for teachers and students. We also planned parties and hand these handouts. We spoke back to students. We tried to educate everyone we can in our community. We went on radio shows and wrote in a youth magazine. I was very passionate and I did not want to be forced into a ONE STORY. Acts of terrorism does not reflect my religion or my values or my people.
The hate that became more visible and endangering after 9/11 empowered me to speak up and be fearless. I became determined I will be some body. I was determined that I will be someone that will challenge the stereotype that people have about Muslims and Arabs or the idea that because I wore a hijab I am supposed to be this submissive, none-English speaking and ignorant person. I remember after 9/11, on my way home in the train this person was talking to his friend saying “oh I want an Arab wife, so I can control her” and some other none-sense. I was so angry and delivered a speech to him and everyone around me. I was so tired of the stereotype and assumptions people have because I am a woman, I wear hijab and I am a Muslim. I am tired of walking into a shop or a doctor’s appointment and people are shocked that I speak English or I have a profession.
Nonetheless, my own experiences have made me so careful with how I view other people and question my own prejudges, judgements and assumptions. It has made me become more open minded and understanding. This “sing story” I have experience has empowered me and hopefully be a teacher that will help repair and empower others too.
SARA QATABI