How many times have you been targetted for your religion or race?
This also includes the bias or unwelcome behavior by Americans/Europeans.
Looking at what Americans have to say about Islam after the news of Mosque controversy, it’s simply unbelievable how Muslims can even live with peace and security in Europe/America. Most of the time we hear from them: Kick out all muslims from America or Europe.
What have you faced? please share.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I m here since 2006 never faced any thing like that but then I live in NYC where there is hardly any American
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
^ But do you ever reveal your Pakistani/Muslim identity?
It's easy to avoid discrimination if you look, talk and behave like an American. But what if you don't?
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
wat do u mean by reveal? I look desi, I hv a desi accent, I walk in times square wearing shalwar kameez, I go for prayers during my job, every one who's around my knows I m a practicing muslim, for job interviews I openly tell my background. what else is needed?
As I said situation is different in different areas, if you go to upstate ppl might appear as hostile but in cities like NYC, Chicago etc. it's not common or atleast I hv not experienced it
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Been living here for over a decade and never faced any racism... I'm not saying it doesn't happen, it does, but it isn't as widespread as it may seem.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Never.
Born and raised in the dc suburbs.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
^ But do you ever reveal your Pakistani/Muslim identity?
It's easy to avoid discrimination if you look, talk and behave like an American. But what if you don't?
I've never hidden it. I was one of few Pakistanis/Muslims at my school, and even at my college. I helped found the Muslim students organization on campus. After 9/11, the president of the college came personally to ask if me if I or any other Muslim student had experienced any backlash. He was very supportive, as was the rest of the community.
I went on to teach (and become an administrator) at a Jewish school. I was the only Muslim on staff, and for many students, I was the only Muslim they knew. I never experienced disrespect, but I was open to answering questions and sharing about myself.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Noops . Didn't experience anything like that . Though I heard the stories , but nothing else .
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
By the way, one of my cousins did hide from her employer that she is Muslim. She's generally paranoid and often socially awkward. I think it was a silly thing to do, and actually very irresponsible.
My MIL says she often says she is Indian, not Pakistani, simply because of the bad press Pakistan gets and the ignorant assumptions people make about it based on the news (similar to the assumptions the OP seems to have about life in the US). Again, I think that approach is wrong and irresponsible.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
wat do u mean by reveal? I look desi, I hv a desi accent, I walk in times square wearing shalwar kameez, I go for prayers during my job, every one who's around my knows I m a practicing muslim, for job interviews I openly tell my background. what else is needed?
As I said situation is different in different areas, if you go to upstate ppl might appear as hostile but in cities like NYC, Chicago etc. it's not common or atleast I hv not experienced it
I've never hidden it. I was one of few Pakistanis/Muslims at my school, and even at my college. I helped found the Muslim students organization on campus. After 9/11, the president of the college came personally to ask if me if I or any other Muslim student had experienced any backlash. He was very supportive, as was the rest of the community.
I went on to teach (and become an administrator) at a Jewish school. I was the only Muslim on staff, and for many students, I was the only Muslim they knew. I never experienced disrespect, but I was open to answering questions and sharing about myself.
Noops . Didn't experience anything like that . Though I heard the stories , but nothing else .
Very hard to believe. Its the complete opposite to what you see in their media.
talking of Chicago, I heard a story of a Muslim family with small kids. the entire family was handcuffed at the airport and taken in for interrogation just because they were Muslims.
I guess there is only a small minority that experiences that kind of treatment so the rest of the people remain unaware of it?
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
Been living here for over a decade and never faced any racism... I'm not saying it doesn't happen, it does, but it isn't as widespread as it may seem.
You live in Ireland? Probably Ireland is a small and isolated country and it hasn't caught on with the same Islamophobia that affects other countries of Europe i.e. UK, France, Germany.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I find the term Paki offensive.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
^ Same here.
You live in Ireland? Probably Ireland is a small and isolated country and it hasn't caught on with the same Islamophobia that affects other countries of Europe i.e. UK, France, Germany.
Well, I live in the UK and I haven't experienced any racism or islamophobia...so bang goes your theory.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I find the term Paki offensive.
Inspired by the brilliant Shak's above quoted comment.........here's a twist to the original question: How many of you have been targeted (slurs, etc) by your own ethnicity?
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
I find the term Paki offensive.
It was just to make the title shorter.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
What by 5 words? Right.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
^ Same here.
Well, I live in the UK and I haven't experienced any racism or islamophobia...so bang goes your theory.
So there is no Islamophobia, anti-Pakistanism or racism against Pakistanis in UK?????????????????
Can you go wherever you want to, live wherever you want to, get jobs everywhere you qualify?
It can't be true because someone posted a story on GS about two Muslim women kicked out from a bus by buss staff and passengers just because they were wearing hijabs.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
And the full story was they abused the driver and got the race card out. (Someone correct me if I am wrong)
I have had more problems in UK with dear Mirpuris predominantly and other Asians than white racists.
:halo:
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
So there is no Islamophobia, anti-Pakistanism or racism against Pakistanis in UK????????????????? Can you go wherever you want to, live wherever you want to, get jobs everywhere you qualify?
It can't be true because someone posted a story on GS about two Muslim women kicked out from a bus by buss staff and passengers just because they were wearing hijabs.
Erm. Please read your initial post. You asked us whether we've personally experienced any racism or islamophobia....you didn't ask us whether it occurs or not.
Re: A question for Pakis in America/Europe
how is the term paki offensive, unless taken offensively or said offensively....if a gora says it , ok hes being offensive, so what? its better than being called nigger? , also paki doesnt mean anything, it may be said as racist term, but pak means pure, so if hes calling u a paki, so what?
AND if our own people say it, no one means it, i say it all the time, so what? how am i being offensive, jeeez, cant call a spade a spade now, are we being politically correct, its not even a big deal.