Comments on: “I loved him…once the World Trade Center came down, I changed my mind”

By: fm

fm — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:47:25 +0000

@lash: what i find sad about these cases is that these stereotypes existed despite interaction, especially in the case of Tanveer whose wife left him because of his ethnicity despite knowing him intimately.

@erol: thanks for the updates and the links. do appreciate it.

By: Erol Firtin

Erol Firtin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:01:44 +0000

European countries are on the way to learn how to live with different cultures and religions. For hundreds years, there were religion wars in spite of relative ethnic and cultural homogeneity in contrast to current ethnic and cultural composition. (Eighty years’ wars, thirty years’ wars etc.) Considering the contemporary ethnic and cultural pluralism, one can claim that this new predicament is a litmus test not just for the immigrants but also for the “natives” to live in a new and multicultural society.
One detail about the assailant is worthy of mentioning; he is a “Russlanddeutschen”, in another words he has also an immigrant background yet he is ethnically German (if I am not wrong), that at the end makes him a German citizen unlike the “deceased.” Although it is loosened recently, the ethnic-genealogical citizenship tradition is still powerful in Germany.
…
An important criticism from altmuslim reverses the “What if question” reminded above and asks “If a western or local woman were attacked or murdered in a Muslim country for not wearing the headscarf, would her case attract much attention in Egypt or other Muslim countries?” (http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/3183/)
This is a good question to think about…
…
For the second case, I hope “Obama Effect” will show its impact soon on this case too… For Ramadan, the unfair regulations of the Bush government is already being challenged by a recent court ruling:
(http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2009/07/20/reversal-in-the-case-of-tariq-ramadan/)

By: lash

lash — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:01:24 +0000

Such a contrast to Lisa’s piece. In her case, stereotypes provided a basis for interaction – preconceived ideas about what a German or a Californian is like were used, and corrected, in building a bridge between two places. I think we’ve all experienced this to some extent while living abroad, and find it harmless, if a little frustrating.

Stereotypes in these cases don’t involve that element of interaction, they are a means for justifying judgement, exclusion, and violence. When the actions of a state, even in negligence, support the idea that these kind of attitudes are acceptable, there is a serious problem. This should go without saying.