X2, thats exactly the thing!! Most americans have such limited experience of desi culture, of Pakistan, of Islaam. And most Muslims tend to keep to themselves over here and not mix in, not educate their american peers about Islaam or Pakistan or cultural issues.
Those who are proud of who and what they are, those who share their important cultural values and celebrations are most welcome!
Its when you keep to yourselves your celebrations, your values and your beleifs...thats when mistrust develops.
SHARE people!!!
That's true.
Most people who are hateful are only hateful because they're ignorant and their image of Pakistan/Islaam is what the media portrays Muslims/Pakis to be.
If Pakis/Muslims made more of an effort to show people that we're not all like the handful of loonies who are given media coverage then people will realise we're human too..
Deep down we're all the same, Muslims/Pakis who equate all Americans with the American foreign policy are just ignoran/brainwashed and the Americans who equate all Pakis/Muslim with terrorism are also ignorant/brainwashed..
..I wish people would start seeing each other as humans, really we're the same, everyone just wants to be loved and respected and it's just fear/phobia/ignorance which drive ppl to hatred/war/extremism etc.
I'm proud of my religion but I also respect other religions and cultures and once people realise this they're very warm and accepting and the initial apprehension they had goes outta the window.