Racism After Rage: SEO Special Presentation

B ack in mid spring, a group of students from SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunities), a nonprofit educational organization that works to create opportunities for youth of color, came by to pay a visit to HL. The purpose of their journey?To encounter a few lessons on good 'ole fashioned journalism techniques by some of HL's very own editorial staff, including associate editor-in-chief Justin Young, sports editor Jonathan Kui, and myself.

It was a day of teens teaching teens, which I personally believe may have been a bit more effective than the average, "Hey kids, let's go on a trip!" educational experience. I could be wrong, but I believe seeing and interacting with someone who you feel you can relate to will, in many situations, aid in the impact of the lesson itself.

Through brainstorming, the SEO students decided they wanted to address issues of actual importance. They concluded in the notion to investigate a topic of concern for a great deal of Americans -- Arab/Middle Eastern-Americans, especially. In this Pulse of The People, we titled the issue "Racism After Rage," a reference to the post 9-11 resent aimed towards anyone who dared flaunt an aspect of Middle Eastern culture, whether it be music, clothing, head wraps, or just plain 'ole ethnicity. In reporting, the SEO students were a little passive at first, but eventually, overcame their inhibitions and as a result, produced some noteworthy content. Check below to see what I mean...

>>>STATS<<<
Name: Dan Acker
Age: 24
Residence: Denmark
Occupation: Photographer

HL: Where were you when the tragedies of 9/11 took place?
I was in New Jersey.
HL: How did 9/11 personally affect you?
I was shocked to hear about it; I didn't think that anything like that could happen.
HL: Have you lost anyone in 9/11?
I had no family members, who were in the building, so I had no personal loss. However as a person who works and lives in the city, I feel a part of the city is gone.
HL: Have your opinions of Arab-Americans changed as a result of 9-11?
No not at all. I had no problems with them (Arabs) before 9/11 and I have no problems with them after 9/11. New York is a very diverse place where everybody is accepted.
HL: How did you feel when you saw Arab Americans in the Middle East celebrated 9-11?
I wasn't happy about it. I mean, I knew that the animosity towards Americans in Arab countries existed, but I didn't realize that it actually happened. When I saw it on TV, I realized that the hatred was real.
HL: Did you hear of Arab Americans celebrating in the aftermath...right here...on American soil? [New Jersey] If so, how did you feel about it? If not, how do you feel about it now?
No, I didn't, actually. Celebrating death is not good in any case. I hope [their minds] have changed since the tragedy. I hope that they realize that are a part of this city too, and they also experienced a great loss.

>>>STATS<<<
Name: Jennifer Lopez
Age: 37
Residence: Queens, New York
Occupation: Hotel Door Attendant

HL: Where were you when the tragedies of 9/11 took place?
I was working. I heard a lot of rumors when the first plane hit the building. I thought it was an accident. Until the second one crashed and then I knew something was wrong because I saw a lot of people walking away. It was the saddest day ever for me personally.
HL: How did 9/11 personally affect you?
A lot of innocent people died and it could have happened to someone I knew. I know a couple of people who work there that fortunately weren't there that day. My nephew goes to school right around there and I am so glad that he is okay. It hit me but wasn't as devastating.
HL: Have you lost anyone in 9/11?
No, fortunately I didn't lose anyone.

HL: Have your feelings towards Arab Americans changed since 9-11?
I've been here too long to have any personal feelings. I am not racist. People who aren't thinking correctly do these hate crimes. This is a religious vendetta. That's my way of thinking.
HL: How did you feel when you saw Arab Americans in the Middle East celebrated 9-11?
I thought it was stupidity. It wasn't going to prove anything. I think mostly in a political manner. The United States is the most powerful place and that didn't prove anything. I'm against politics and it's all about power. We don't really know what's behind it. I live my life. I pay my taxes and continue going on.
HL: Did you hear of Arab Americans celebrating in the aftermath...right here...on American soil? [New Jersey] If so, how did you feel about it? If not, how do you feel about it now?
J: That is freedom of speech. You say what you feel and I can't do anything about it. It wasn't right but nothing can be done.

>>>STATS<<<
Name: Hattie Mitchell
Age: Not Given
Residence: Downtown Manhattan

HL: Where were you when the tragedies of 9/11 took place?
59th & Lexington Avenue.
HL: How did 9/11 personally affect you?
I had mixed feelings. I didn't know what to believe. It was all so unrealistic and unexpected.
HL: Have you lost anyone in 9/11?
No, fortunately I had no losses.
HL: Has your opinion of Arab-Americans since changed as a result of 9-11?
Well, I have no negative feelings towards them, but I can't deny that I DO see them differently. I may second guess the Arab man in my local deli, or glance twice at the Palestinian woman on the train with her children. I don't know if it's right to look at them differently now, or if it's fair to expect me NOT to. At the same time, I feel slightly empathetic with Arab-Americans, because as much as we 'normal Americans' say that it's fair and that we 'still look at them the same way'...there is an underlying reality of new skepticism that I don't think most of us will admit to. I'm still unsure about this all.
HL: How did you feel when you saw Arab Americans in the Middle East celebrated 9-11?
I'm very uncertain about the entire thing. I probably don't know all of the factors that have contributed to this war, so I TRY not to judge. Of course however, I feel upset when I see that. It shows they have no remorse for what they've done. That within itself makes me upset.
HL: Did you hear of Arab Americans celebrating in the aftermath...right here...on American soil? [New Jersey] If so, how did you feel about it? If not, how do you feel about it now?
I overheard some things. I think there was just an outrageous after effect and no one truly knew what they were doing. I don't feel as if I'm in position to truly judge anyone, though.