I was shooting the s*** with a fellow cashier early in the morning. It’s 9 AM, there’s maybe a dozen shoppers in Big Box Mart, so we find stuff to talk about. She says to me, “So I had this ‘A-rahb’ the other day come through my line. You know they live here tax-free..-” I interrupt her, “I’m sorry, what did you say?” ‘Janie’* stops mid-sentence. I told her, “Do you know that I am Arabic?” She stutters and stammers and declares her idiocy. I say, “No, that’s okay. An Arab came through your line and then what?” She fumbles for the rest of her story and we have to go back to our jobs. I saw her pass my register a few minutes later and discovered a note she had left for me. This is the note:
“Mrs. Samaree. So I’m a complete idiot and asshole, I feel like shit. If you hate me, I don’t blame you. I didn’t mean to offend you. If you choose not to talk to me I wouldn’t blame you. If you could forgive me I would appreciate it, if not I once again apologize. Sorry for being an asshole and inconsiderate, ‘Janie’.”
I replied with:
“Ms. ‘Janie’, I don’t hate you, I hate your use of that word.I guess I just assume that everyone feels like I do and abhors all prejudice, especially since we talked last week in the break room about this same subject. I know there are certain sterotypes of Arab people: rich, terrorists, hater of infidels, etc. But there are alot of stereotypes about all races: all black people get food stamps, all mexicans are illegal aliens, all Asians are good at Math. I try to change people’s perceptions of what it is to be Arab-American. I am poor(-ish). I do not wear a hajib. I have no rich oil baron relatives. I know alot about Arab culture and religion and am happy to share info or explain to avoid or reverse misconceptions. I am very proud of who I am, the culture I am a part of and the heritage I have. I would hope that as a woman who is bringing a mixed child [African-American and Caucasian] into the world, you could become more tolerant of other races, as you have to know the prejudice your child may face in the future. Apology accepted, samaree”
*’Janie” is a pseudonym used to protect my co-worker who, I’m sure, would be pissed if identified.
I don’t know what else to add to this post other than my own disappointment of my fellow personkind.
