Hate "In the Hot Zone"
The optimism and content that I felt after reading Kevin Sites’ report on Syrian bloggers are now eroding. I was peaking at the comment section of Kevin’s latest report, and short of any other, more suitable description, I have to say, I am horrified.
Horrified, that many of those who commented, were bothered by the story and bothered to see everyday people in Syira telling their stories. Would these hateres rather not see our faces? Do they prefer that in a time of conflict we die, without faces? Would that be easier on them?
Some spoke of themselves as realists, other calling people in the Middle East “sub-humans”. To those I say, I still want to keep my face. If realism dictates innocent people’ death then let them die with their faces on, and if you out here still think it is too much to offer, then god help us all.
We are not asking for much, are we?
Twisted logic in some of those who commented went like “ they hate America, they don’t want us to help them, they are terrorists, they refuse our billions and democracy, hence we should not even bother with thier stupid stories”
What I am not able is to understand is, why the hell you hate us that much? You are probably setting on your sofa drinking your beer and watching Howard Stern show…so enjoy it and leave us alone!! Cannot even tolerates a human face? or is it that you can no longer go and enslave black people so you are lashing out your hatred on the faceless Middle Easterns? I swear to god, some of you are no better than Osama benladden.
what's ironic is the people intereviewd in there reports were not "radical islaimist" on the contrary they were people that you would like to have as allies.. and for you out there who think that way, i say: if you are outraged that Ben Laden and his followers think you are infidals and deserve death, you are no better.
Wars are still to be fought in this dirty world, but at lease let's all look the enemy in the face.
NowIf your conclusion to the above is that I am just another person who hates America, then you are not only wrong, you are moron. People all around the world look up to the fought hard for American values, and trust me if it was up to you and you likes, then blacks in the south will be to this day crossed in the south.
Finally, I would like to thank you all those in the US , who enjoyed the stories brought to you from Syria, and for taking those stories simply for what they are.. stories. my hope is that those constitute the majority, although i am surprised my the shear volume of hateful comments.
Top, more faces from syria to look at.
Update: after reading some of the comments to this post, i felt un update is neceassry to clear up few things: there are no generalizations here, I personally live in the states, and I love it, americans too. I am concerned that pitty left wing-right wing battles are going too far. people mixing politics with feelings of being human. I have no illusions about the world. people are the same everywhere, and distributions of haters, i believe, is similar in all countrries. That's said, does not mean that we have to stop pointing out those haters wherever they may be. Syrians included, and on the top of the list.
posted by Amr T at
6:15 PM
22 Comments:
Please let me reassure you that not everyone in America is as filled with hate as the person whose comments you quoted. There are many of us who have despaired over American foreign policy for many, many years. It is always easy to distract a people's attention from their problems at home by setting someone else up as "an enemy" and false leaders everywhere in the world do it, and perhaps always have.
Kevin's articles have inspired me to go find out more information for myself. This is really the greatest promise of the Internet; there are no "gatekeepers" powerful enough to restrict everyone's voices and everyone's ability to hear, and perhaps learn.
Mark Linimon, Austin, Texas, USA
By
Mark Linimon, at 2/01/2006 10:48 PM
amr,
the people that post those comments are knuckleheads looking for attention. they are prolific in their hate, but not in their numbers. they are part, but not representative of american society as a whole. they are haters and destroyers, but do not mistake their invectives as opinion, nor as a true sampling of american sentiment. they are misperceptions who become prominent because of the drama of their violent statements. nothing more.
part of allowing free speech means tolerating their presence. but even in that we have to have faith in humanity. look at all those who rush around those hateful posts like white blood cells on an infection, denouncing their foulness and helping to maintain the health of the dialogue despite their presence.
in some ways, the haters and destoryes, allow the rest of us to find the best in ourselves. keep the faith brother. you are doing good work here.
By
kevin sites, at 2/01/2006 11:06 PM
I used to live in the states and people there are subjected to bias news and media, you spend some of your time explaining to them that Arabs are not terrorists.
but again those " knuckleheads " as kevin called them are every where even here in Syria.
Great blog, hope to see online lynn_troudi@yahoo.com
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lynn_troudi, at 2/02/2006 12:33 AM
It's nice to see kiven right writing comments in our blogs :)
I hope that you could be with us joining that interesting meeting, in fact we enjoyed it a lot,as we talked about different subjects, including these extremists..
@kevin:
Maybe we feel very disappointed to find such ideas, but surely bloggers including Amr -as I think- won't generalize this idea.
But the problem is many of the people generalize it, you can notice that when you walk in the streets, you feel that people don't feel the relief when dealing with Lebanese, also Lebanese people.
The media affected the relations between the two people, and we are doing our best to lessen this fusion, and differentiate between people and policies.
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Majd, at 2/02/2006 1:33 AM
The ignorant are always the loudest minority. Ignorance is bliss because it people comfortable and it makes the world easy to understand. People fear not knowing, and fear makes them loud and reactionary.
When I get frustrated with the maladies of mankind I hold fast to my faith. Respect and acceptance are the key to happiness and understanding.
By
Wes, at 2/02/2006 7:45 AM
it is always easier to hate and justify the killing of an enemy that doesn't have a face...
I used to get frustrated by reading such loud and angry comments like this.. I used to feel the hatred around me and resort to the safety of my own home, feeling that I am the grey-scaled image in a colorful street.. and everyone is pointing at me.. it took me a while to realize how saturated people are, and how the intelligent ones are remain silent..
I know that those people exist, they hate, they discriminate (and they elect morons like the Bush family).. but they are mostly hiding behind their virtual net names because anonymity gives them the immunity to say whatever they feel like. I bet you, if you try to reason with any of those morons, they will refuse to talk to you (from personal experience), they prefer to stay in their comfortable little world where information is fed to them by biased media.. this way, they don’t have to think..
I do agree with Lynn though.. we have morons like those in Syria too, and they are equally dangerous, and even more annoying than those knuckleheads... but this is how societies are.. and as sad as it seems to read such comments.. I can guarantee you that Kevin’s article sent a very positive message to more people.. see the emails that Ghalia got after his article..
I guess we should be grateful for the existence of people like Kevin, Shannon, and all the other intelligent ones that participated in this crazy parade.. they still show that humanity actually IS evolving, and that we haven’t all turned into a clueless herd of sheep.
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Omar, at 2/02/2006 10:35 AM
Sometimes I wonder if people outside of the US ever give it enough credibility to realize that there is no stereotype. When will people around the world realize that people are the same around the world. Your grandmother told you the same as mine ... I wish generalizations about Americans would stop!!!
By
Scott, at 2/02/2006 12:52 PM
Don't be discouraged by the ignorance of some readers or let their unwillingness to "see the faces" silence your voice. What is so exciting about this new technology is that it allows us to learn and grow, to introduce ourselves to our neighbors and come to know and respect them. The majority of our problems stem from NOT knowing each other - from making assumptions based on fear. Bravo to you and your friends for sharing your lives with the world and being REAL.
By the way, I love to see the photos! It is hard to imagine what your lives are like, but photos help. Keep writing!
Karla - Green Bay, Wisconsin USA
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Karla, at 2/02/2006 1:31 PM
Scott..
there is no generalization.. we all know that not all people are the same. Amr (the blog owner) lives(ed?) in the US, and I live in Canada, and we both know very well that people are very different and that there are Americans that are better than hundreds of others...
this is a natural reaction.. when everyone stereotypes you on a daily basis, when you are pulled off the waiting line in an airport to be thoroughly searched, and when there is a special queue for you on the US border.. and when the average joe on the street, who can be a drug dealer, a thief, or a murderer, calls you a terrorist just because you walked by him with your darker than average skin..
this is when stereotyping happens..
and this is when, no matter now rational you are, you have to go against your better judgement and say "Americans" when referring to the people who wrote the comments on Kevin's blog, even if you really know that this generalization is not true..
otherwise, we wouldn't have stopped at expressing our disappointment.. we would have used stronger language and nasty terms..
but we all know better, right?
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Omar, at 2/02/2006 1:37 PM
screw you! love, america.
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Anonymous, at 2/02/2006 2:20 PM
I feel your anger and sorrow Amir. I feel it as an American. I am frusterated to see so many people around the globe hate us and persecute us as a warmongering nation because of the country I am proud to call home. To see many countries in the East exclaim "Death to America" is troublesome as well as scary as I wonder why someone would want to kill me? Why would someone want to kill my two year old son? But what I do know is this, just as I do not have hate for Syria or it's people I am certain that there are those in your country who would disagree with the hate towards all American people. I hope for peace to your country as I would for myself and my family.
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Anonymous, at 2/02/2006 3:16 PM
Amr,
I'm an American and I did enjoy both Kevin Sites article, and several of the blogs that he mentioned (including, obviously, yours).
While I do think that modern technology has provided an incredible mechanism by which, previously unimaginable things can happen (such as us, having a discussion someone we'll never personally meet, each living in a country of which we may know little of nothing and both of us sharing equally in all the attendandt miserceptions and misunderstandings).
A key drawback of this technology is that while it allows anyone to connect, it alsoprovides a podium from which anyone can spew from. I guess you have to take the good with the bad.
The point of my comment however is this, of all the people that I work with and talk to in my neighborhood, at my church (I'm actually not affiliated with any relious group, I go with my wife out of respct for her beliefs..) and elsewhere....I cant think of one who reflects any of the hatred and animosity that I read in many of the online posts. The facts, of my experience, have been people, worried about their kid's doing well at school, saving for retirement, an elderly parent in the hospital, making ends meet, spending time with my little girl, making time to build some furniture in my shop, and a hundred other everyday things.
We (ie...myself and others that I know) look at the world and see regions in which there seems no end to the hatred and violence (Arab/Israel/Palestinian). All sides seem to be demanding that which none of them can ever achieve. We ask..."Why, after 50 years of 'Middle East peace efforts' are we no closer to any peace?" Why do we see Muslims, apparently throughout the world, threatening violence over the publication of cartoons in a Danish newspaper? Canb they not see the absolute fundamental importance of complete freedom of speech? And dont mis-understand my point here...I fully recognize that freedom of speech in no way assures accuracy in what is said, but surely you would agree that there can be no accuracy is there is no speech. we see a region with which WE MUST BE ENGAGED but which presents us with a host of contradictions that defy resolution. Much of the region is made up of, essentially, dictatorships which seem to vary only in the degree of oppresivness. Given this, when we engage with any of these regimes, again, as we must, we're faced with the contradiction of having no other governmental authority to engage with but, in engaging, we are simultaneously, in effect, supporting, a regime with which we have fundamental differences in socio-political views.
If we use that engagement to press for reforms, we often find ourselves pilloried on the world stage for "American, or western colonial intervention". If we dont, we eventually find ourselves attacked for supporting oppresive regimes...the old saw about "America cares nothing about promoting freedom...look at the regimes it supports!"
On the opposite side of the equation,it appears that many people in the world have bought into this fallacy that "all Americans just want to take the oil, or undermine your society or install a puppet government of lackeys that dance to the American corporate tune". This is so completely falacious that, whenever I see these accusations I think..."who in the world said this???? It bears no relation whatsoever to anything that I hear from anyone I know!
Again...I'm talking about what real, everyday Americans think...and I suspect that this is not what the rest of the world gets.
Now, let's do be honest and realistic...the United States derives from a European heritage. We came to the world stage late in the game, relative to the rest of Europe. In the areas of foreign affairs, the methods and tactics that existed were those developed by the existing European powers. This was the teacher we had. Those methods and tactics essentially revolved around the maintenance of a balance of power through the use of what I call the "screw your buddy" method. Basically, it entails doing a deal with one power base that undermines another...until such time as the power base you did a deal with becomes overly powerful, at which time you screw them by doing a deal with someone else. Essential to this game is the view that there are a relatively fixed number of actual power bases in existance and all other players are small,inconsequential and only usefull as "pawns" or chips in the larger game.
The US entered the world stage, as a real political,social and economic force starting mid way through world war 1 but remained something of a sideline player as a result of US isolationism. By the end of WW2 however, we were, and knew that we were, the dominant world power. Our perception at that time, and I think it was accurate, was that while Nazi fascism had been defeated, we now faced a conflict with Soviet syle communism. it was this conflict that largely drove US policy throughout the world very much including the Middle East. Falling back to the only style of foreign policy that we had known, the various nation's of the Middle East became pieces in a game of dominance between the western world and the Soviet world. It was in this context that we justified actions such as installing the Shah in Iran (and I still think that, left alone, he would have been better fore the Iranian people that Khomeni ended up being...but...be that as it may), and meddling in various other nations.
What I'm saying is, America, and Americans had no intrinsic animosity towards people in the Middle East, we viewed ourselves as being engaged in a conflict with the Soviet Union that involved maintaining a balance ofpower in the Middle East and other areas of the world. We did this through the use of the old world tactics of "screw your buddy". Middle Eastern nations were chips in the larger game.
I fully realize that, if you happen to be one of the "chips", this sounds quite arrogant and dismissive. in a certain way, it is. but we really didn't pick the nature of the game or the tactics. We inherited a system that was in place before we arrived and, quite simply, through luck of the draw, happened to fall on the right continent, at the right time, with the right combination of culture, science etc...that allowed the US to grow to dominance. Once dominant, we were left with no real choice but to excercise that power (the old law of power...use it, or lose it). Understand as well that American culture is inherently competitive. Americans like to win...I'll not apologize for that as I believe it to be a generally positive attribute but I will acknowledge that it sometimes can appear as arrogance or over-aggresiveness.
I know I've gone on a long time here but I hope that you might begin to see that the picture that many in the Middle East have, of Americans, is as distorted as the picture that Americans have of the Middle East. For every flaw and shortcoming that Middle Easterners percieve in America, Americans perceive as many flaws in the Middle East. In my personal view, I would argue that most of the regimes in the Middle East do not yet have the socio-political structure that provides for the internal dialog needed for reform. Contrary to what you may think, the US has an internal system that provides for an insane level of internal dialog and a political system which can manifest change. Our problem tends to be that we mirror that which we think we see...in other words, when faced with what appears to be a harsh, dictatorial regime, we act that way towards it. I think this often puts us on a course in which, the other "side" reacts likewise so we now become two sides each trying to look like the other (strong, determined, resolute...you know...all those agressive, manly, inflexible characteristics.
Forgive me...I'm rambling I guess...Wish I knew the answer...history often demonstrates that ordinary people can work out all sorts of differences while groups of ordinary people cant even agree on which way is up or down.
If you find this discussion interesting, I hope you might copy it to others who may benefit as well. I would be ineterested in your thoughts as well. You can contact me at karltl@yahoo.com
By
Karl, at 2/02/2006 4:10 PM
Dear Amr Tulaimat,
I don't usually read blogs, but was drawn to the story written by Kevin because I am a Syrian living in America, California, to be specific.
I understand your frustration with some of the reponses to Kevin's story. I think it is a mistake, however, to assume that "Americans" hate Syrians. I would encourage you to not think so.
Every country in the world has its share of idiots. And America is no different. Yes, there are idiots here who are people filled with hate and they are often the ones that are the most vocal. Their hate is, indeed, disgusting.
BUT, I would also advise you against making broad sweeping generalizations about Americans too. I have lived in America since I was three years old. I love my Syrian heritage and I love America too.
I do not watch Howard Stern and I do not drink beer. I do, however, in the true sense of being an American, believe that people SHOULD be able to do what they want without being judged.
And just to be clear: I do NOT want to enslave black people. If you think that that is what Americans are like, you are just as ignorant about Americans as they are about Syrians.
I understand that you also know that there are Americans who are learning from you and your blog. I would encourage you to remember that we are not all idiots over here. I appreciate that you are telling the world how you feel. Do not be discouraged by the few who are idiots and haters.
By
Anonymous, at 2/02/2006 5:46 PM
FAITH is all we have left that can we teach our kids and hope it has some retention. It is they where hopes lies since it seems that governmental policies are dominated by the deceivers and corrupters puppetered by the power mad and affluent. It's the system that we slave under is the enemy not each other.
We are cannon fodder to them and nothing more. We are treated as mere cattle to be used till no longer productive and then tossed to the side as they steal our kids for the next generation of slaves. Communism,Democracy,Monarchy,doesn't matterthe gift warpping they are all the same shackle and chain. If we are to succeed in knocking down the castle walls we must be aware of what we want and who we are.
We must take it up to the next level. We must look beyond nationalism. We must see us as humans first and foremost. Leader's love to use fear,religion,cluture diffeerences,and national pride on the population to control them and it doesn't matter where you live or who you are, it is the same tool used. It's called divide and conquer and it can be very effective. And we all need to become aware of that. We must organize through the net to each other and strip the veils that we facade on each other. WE ARE THE SAME. The rich and the power hungry are the real enemy. Let us rise up and nonviolently use laws to change the order of things so it more reflects the homiginous lifes of the populus through a redristribution of wealth and rulership.,of understanding instead of confrontation. We all feel it,smell the scent of change in the air, can you hear the bell toll coming across the great divide to waken us folks? Time to stand and be counted.
By
michael 33, at 2/03/2006 8:03 AM
Nuke you, so called "syria".
www.nukeiran.com
The Nukerator/
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The Nukerator, at 2/03/2006 2:17 PM
Personally,it seemes you do hate Americans because if you didn't,then you would see that we don't hate you,we are afraid of what your people would do to us.See,while we are drinking our so called beers and watching Howard Stern(if you knew american t.v,then you would know that the howard stern show was banned from our stations,and is now on x.m radio),we are also seeing osama,or other top terrorists saying they are going to blow up this,or kill this hostage within 24 hours if you don't give in to our stupid demands.You are no better than osama for saying what you said.See,the majority of Americans don't care about your middle eastern countries.We only care about the next terrorists moves and what to do if one happenes again.Every morning,we get a warning about your countries terrorist activities and as of right now, my homeland security center says that it is on high alert.See,so we have a good reason to be upset,so find something else to rant and rave about instead of at Americans.P.S tell osama to stop what he's doing so terrorism could end between all countries.
By
Anonymous, at 2/04/2006 9:19 AM
I am American, I do not hate you, or your country. I just want what is best for you and your people (really people everywhere) which is a more open, fair, and just society.
By
redwhiteandgreen, at 2/04/2006 10:08 PM
I am sorry, but I think Americans are more tolerant than us.
By
Leilouta, at 2/05/2006 1:36 AM
i do beleive that wise,intellegent people exist every where ..i do belive in their power to support people..i dont beleive in generlizing ,,or stereotypes...but the comments made by THE NUKERATOR all over the atricles worth to be considered ,,to know that such mentality exists..people dreaming of killing..who understands only the language of weapons ..i would like to state that the existance of such people in west is similar to the existance of terroristes in the east..they are the other side of the equation if not the reason ,,2 faces of the same coin:unhuman behaviour...
i dont know if he/she was a drug dealer,a murderer or an excutive emploee ..if he believes in god,in life,or even in hisself...if he has children ..or parents that he wish they be safe everytime he looks at them before going to bed...if he thinks his safety is based on killing others..he should read more about history.it is so easy to threat and speak with such an agressive language ..but the right,hard thing is to know how to understand life..not only a stupid war-video game...
i think it is the duty of people living around them to make sure they r not decision makers ..or help them not to even think about such words; war .
pardon my modest english as i pardened your lack of humanity and wisdom.
p.s; u dont have to answer ,,cos we expect what kind yr reply would be ,,
may god help y .
By
Haider Droubi, at 2/05/2006 3:45 AM
dear Amr,
I am impressed by the quality of your blog, and your openness in addressing the issues at hand. Though complicated at times, I believe Americans, as most of humanity everywhere are goodhearted, and beautiful people. Prejudice has a way of bringing out the worst in people. I agree with what Kevin Sites is doing as far as putting a "face on conflict".
Innocent people are almost always in the the action when someone tries to usurp power or force their views through violent means. Sometimes war is necessary to liberate those innocent people from a force they can no longer control. However, we cannot use conflict as an excuse for hate. The innocent anywhere will find their fair treatment from our God, as he is no respecter of persons or races. Why can we not attempt to be more like that?
Keep spreading the message of hope...people may not always listen, but it is appreciated.
By
rbwmail, at 2/12/2006 7:16 PM
Cool blog, interesting information... Keep it UP » »
By
Anonymous, at 2/16/2007 2:44 AM
Keep up the good work »
By
Anonymous, at 3/17/2007 10:53 PM
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