Profiling: how may I help you, sir?

Yea, the cartoon is a lil extreme but lets be real....I stay conscious of it.  I can't help it...it was the way I was raised.  It's not like I walk around asking myself how do people view me...but if someone reacts unusually to me ...then the light bulb goes off ...the red flag pops up and I hear the bells.  We have a Racial Profiler on the loose.

Now that I live in Manhattan, I'm extremely keen to it.  I'm sure most people see me for who I am.  Let me repeat that...I'm sure MOST people see me for who I am.  But let's face it...there are a select few who at first glance only see my skin color, my kufi, or my beard.  And probably after they get to know me...I'm just plain ol' ME.

But its frustrating...and frankly I'm getting a little tired.  I know this in no way shape or form compares to what my parent generation went through but you'd like to think now that we have a Black President, American's would not be so quick to negatively judge people based upon their looks.  Not be so quick to assume your in the wrong place.  Not be so quick to ask, how may I help you? when you enter your own apartment building. "Man, I live here!"

It's often very suttle.  But the argument occurs when you ask, "Would this have happened if I were White...if I had no kufi....if I wore no beard?"

Tell me what you think:  (Now mind you...it's not alot of people who look like me walking around who aren't maintenance workers.)  I'm coming back from riding my bike (about 4pm ...its not dark) and I am returning it to the bike shed were I pay an annual fee to lock my bike.  I see a man with his bike in front of me, who actually is one of my Professor's and has given me several lectures.  He has already opened the gate to the shed with his ID card and held the gate open for ME to bring in my bike.  I said thanks and proceeded to lock up my bike as usual.

After the guy locks up his bike he walks over to me and asks, "Do you have and ID?"

I said with a confused face, "Yea..."

Then he says, "Well, can I see it because I always ask for an ID when I let people in..."

Baffled and alittle taken back, I show him my ID along with my highly disturbed facial expression...and he yells, "Oh! It's you, I know you.  I see you around all the time."

"Uh, yea..."  And that was that...he leaves me still confused, standing there with lock and ID in hand.

I think to myself:

1. Whoa...wait...what are you security??  If you were so concerned about an ID why didn't you ask me when you held the door open for me?

2. Why the hell would I NOT have an ID?  I'm locking up my BIKE.  How would I be able to get back in to retrieve my bike if I didn't have an ID?

3. Did I really look that suspicious bringing in my bike to lock up? (Probably...lol, I had a hoodie on because it was cold).

Maybe, I'm over-reacting but I've noticed one thing....It really all depends on how I'm dressed.  I get the how may I help you questions only when I'm wearing a hoodie or jeans.  If I'm in kaki's or slacks...I rarely get the are you lost looks or you must be visiting face.  The unfortunate part is that many of my classmates wear hoodies but I doubt if they get profiled.  Um...can I not get throan in a class of Hoodlem when I walk around my job?

What's worse: Black or A-rab?

...Apparently, Barack Obama is both. Or at least on "there" side.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.

-The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Last Sermon

I place the following picture up because I want you to see how Barack Obama is just like you and I. He is a product of the United States of America. He is a family man. He shares genuwine concerns with the majority of Americans: economy, education, health care, international relations. Those issues that really matter in our current society. I encourage you to REWATCH HIS BIOGRAPHY.

We should aslo be aware of those who are ignorant. Yes, just plain ignorant. We should be aware that there are those who dislike others based upon a name, skin color, or nationality. We should be aware that there is still racism in this country and it may not be a suttle as you might think. Issues can only be addressed when they're seen as a problem.

"We want to vote for somebody with the name like Barack Hussein Obama? Why are we electing an A-rab when we're at war with Iraq and Iran??....Tell 'em about cutting his head off Sarah..."

I will leave you with the following clip in order that you may understand how to combat evil with good. How to fight ignorance with education...and lies with truth.

Warning: The following may be offensive to some...and DOES include SOME foul language towards the end of the clip.


Redneck Woman Rails on Obama - Watch more free videos

Are Jamaicans better runners??

Are whites better swimmers? Are Chinese people are better gymnasts?

There's a great article and topic of discussion over at Racialicious...

Religious Relations in America: Will Obama stand up for what is right?

First of all, I owe a Hat Tip to Latuff (one of my favorite cartoonists) and Dawud Walid for inspiring this post. I had been thinking about this topic for some time now, espcially since the NYU event on RACE, RELIGION, and POLITICS. There was an excellent panel discussion that included:

• Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP, NY
  

• Dr. Amir Al-Islam of The Shabazz Center

• Faiza N. Ali, representing CAIR-NY

Sometimes, we need a wake up call from some pioneers to remind us where we stand. Too many people fought for African-Americans to be where we are today in this country. To many people died for just the right to vote, the right to speak out, and to stand up for what they knew was right. The same goes for Muslims in America. (Well not exactly the same, but I hope you can follow what I'm saying without me going through extensive examples.)

I think lately, America's Islamophobia has really started to show itself with Obama's accusations as a "closet Muslim", Imam Siraj Wahaj's accusations of being a "Terroist Imam", and South Carolina senators implying that there's no difference between Obama and Osama. (among other stories)

Muslims are really being portrayed in a negative light and many Muslims are waiting for Obama to really come out and say it: THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING MUSLIM. (We know where McCain stands.) Obama has said it on a few occasions but has failed to really stand up for and defend Muslims when they're attacked by those who wish to spread Islamophobia. And I think we all know why.

As I said on Brother Dawud's post:

I think he has the power to change how people feel about Muslims and Islam. I believe that Obama wants to stand up for what is right because that is the type of person I believe him to be. I think in due time, things will pan out but it might take a stronger push from the Muslim community. All those new stats of Muslims in America show little value politically if we can’t come together to stand up for what unites us the most: Islam.

CAIR-NY Rep Takes Part in Forum on Race, Religion and Politics

--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--

CAIR-NY Rep Takes Part in Forum on Race, Religion and Politics

(NEW YORK, NY, 8/15/08) "A representative of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) yesterday participated in a panel discussion entitled "Race, Religion and Politics: The New Political Landscape" at New York University.

The panel discussion, which included CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, Shabazz Center Board Member Dr. Amir Al-Islam and President of the NY office of the NAACP Hazel Dukes, aimed to educate community members about the importance of grassroots activism and coalition-building for minority groups in the backdrop of the elections process.

“Since the onset of the presidential election, religion and race have been repeatedly used as a tool for political gain by candidates and their surrogates alike� said Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali. “Coalition-building will assure that our voices are politically relevant even after the ballots are casted.�

CAIR-NY and chapters nationwide continue to encourage political participation of American Muslims through voter registration drives, civic participation trainings and educational forums.

To volunteer in CAIR-NY’s political empowerment campaign, contact fali@cair.com.

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

--END--