Sarah - Nice job with the article. It seems like you are on your way to understand religious and cultural differences. Instead of writing one article, you could have written 4 separate articles:
One could’ve been about Muslims. You could have shown how all Muslims are the same. Terrorist!
Did you also know that Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are very different (language and culture)? Not all Bangladeshi are Muslims. Bangladeshi culture isn’t the same as Muslim culture. Additionally, you could have written about how they came to this country without doing much work. That is, they didn’t have to kill the natives for land and food like some earlier Europeans did.
Finally, you could’ve written about Arabs separately. From what I understand they also come in different religion.
Sarah - I’m one of your problems. I was raised here in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, I can’t claim any part of it because I was born in a Bangladeshi family and i also happened to be Muslim.
Normally, I don’t get involved in this kind of discussion, but couldn’t help. I have more friends that are Jewish then any other groups. Not only just friends, but some best friends. It hurts read such article. I’m no journalist. However, the way you mention names of a few terrorists in the article, you’re making it seem like Bengalis are somehow associated with terrorism. If you don’t like something about this specific group(e.g. they’re brown), write about them, but don’t put them in the mix with others. I’ve been to a few Bengali Mosques myself. The reason I’m calling Bengali Mosque is because 98% of attendees are Bengali. I know that they’re working hard with other religious institutions in the neighborhood to make sure they’re understood. I’m a critique of some of the Mosques for not reaching out enough to the neighbors, but I’ve never heard them speaking critically of the neighbors or other religions. If anything, they speak about creating harmony. I don’t know for fact, but I’m sure some people in the Mosque may feel critical of other religions. However, I know for fact that they never promote bigotry. Why label everyone? My father who is 74y/o goes to a Mosque because that’s the only social venue for him. I’m grateful for its existence.
I hope you’ll spend lot more time understanding the differences between different groups of people and culture and certainly read more about American history - how people came to this country that you claim to be your’s? Lack of knowledge gives someone right to learn about others – not be ignorant. I’m sure many readers love your article – I don’t hate it. You represent many people who don’t like others because of differences. These people have similar mentality as klux klux klan and Nazi. They’re also popular at times. I understand you and I also understand that people are different. I embrace and respect differences. However, I don’t respect ignorance. It’s very difficult to attain social harmony by promoting bigotry – not that you care to believe.
I don’t come across bigotry – may be because I live among mix group of friends. However, it hurts when people like you call names to my mother when she walks down the streets or takes public transportation wearing her traditional clothing.
I hope you’ll become an informed journalist; and when you do, you’ll be great! I trust that you’ll promoting social harmony.