Sorry guys I need to get this out

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2005
Sorry guys I need to get this out
4
Fri, 12-23-2005 - 12:29pm

Ok so yesterday I was in the bank, I go in there to make a deposit, and the bank teller ALWAYS looks at me like I am going to blow up her family..LOL. But I manage to get through my deposit even with her bumbling over the account. Then I go over to the customer service area and sign in to apply for a bank card. There is a woman in front of me and I have to wait like eh 40 minutes for this lady to be finished,which isnt the problem. I was overhearing the whole conversation between the customer service woman and the customer while I was waiting.

So finally it was my turn to see the customer service person. I go up there and she is taking down my information and all of a sudden she asks me "what is your country of citizenship?" I would have thought nothing of it really until she added "Its not a trick question, according to the Patriot Act, I have to ask" WHO DOES SHE HAVE TO ASK? I have never been asked that before in the bank, the woman in front of me wasnt asked, so who does she have to ask? Terrorists maybe? UGH. I have some serious beef with the Patriot Act but thats not the issue right now. I just want to know by law if she only has to ask Muslims that question, or people she suspects as Muslims, or terrorists, since I suppose they are synonomous now for most people.

I know you guys are openminded and I am not in any way directing any of this toward you all so dont take offense.

In WWII, after Pearl Harbor, there was a lot of anti-Japanese hysteria in the US, and the President signed an executive order making all of the people of Japanese ancestry, both American born and foriegn born, and American citizens of any amount of Japanese ancestry, go into concentration camps. The President ordered that citizens of America go into concentration camps in THEIR OWN COUNTRY!!! This crap makes me think that its not too long before it happens to Muslims too. Some people see that as a conspiracy theory, and I used to wonder about it myself, but every time something like this happens, it makes it seem all the more likely, and they just signed the bill to continue the Patriot Act for six more months.

I love having the freedoms of living in America, and I love most of the people in America, but what price am I going ot have to pay for other people and their views? Am I going to be seen as the enemy in my own country? Its already happening, hell I have people try to run me over, cuss me out, talk bad about me for raising my kids as Muslims, and even people tell me to go back to "my country" on a daily basis, where can I go if I am in "my country" thats my question, and I can live with that since I know some people are ignorant, but how much worse will it get?

Rebekah

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Fri, 12-23-2005 - 1:19pm

oh sweety...i'm so sorry.

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God could not be everywhere, so

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2002
Fri, 12-23-2005 - 10:50pm
Stories like yours just turn my stomach. I am so ashamed by the behavior of other WASP Americans sometimes. I was a child during the civil rights movement. When I was 9 we moved to Georgia. It was the first time I had ever heard the "N" word. At 9 years of age I felt predjudice was SO wrong. My neice lives near Memphis and says there is definitely a separation of the races. She really hates raising her kids around it.
I don't know what you can say to these idiot people that say and do these things. Unfortunately you can't cure stupid. I'm so sorry you are experiencing this in your own country. I too fear the days of concentration camps are not too far off. It's very scary to me and something I wish we as beings could move beyond.
{{{HUGS}}} to you and your family. I really admire anyone who can live their beleifs even in the face of adversity.
I have problems with the Patriot Act too and many, many of the things that are happening now.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Sun, 12-25-2005 - 1:57pm

Rebekah:

I am really sorry you felt singled out by being asked that, but she was correct. When processing certain types of applications, banks & credit card companies, and other businesses have to ask the country of origin. They don't ask every person on every transaction, but only during applications. I can't explain why you didn't hear the woman before you asked, but if she was applying for any credit or cards, they probably did ask her. I am as caucasian looking as people get, and have been asked the same question many times. When I opened a new checking account in October I was asked it verbally and then again when I filled out paperwork had to check off that I also was a US Citizen.

Please don't let this get you down, it is an unfortunate part of our world since the bombings. I know there are still a lot of people who are discriminating against muslims or anyone who looks middle-eastern but there are a LOT more people who do not.

Take care

Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2005
Sun, 12-25-2005 - 5:20pm

I am ashamed to say that my parents and brother are of this mindset. Hmmm... maybe I AM the only sane one in the family. My parents and brother won't even go to a gas station owned by a Muslim (or someone that looks to be Muslim). *sigh* Sadly, I have to just bite my tongue b/c believe its not worth getting in an argument with my parents or brother unless someone's life is in jeopardy.

The prejudices of this country make me sick. Judging ANYONE by their religion, color, sex, etc. is just wrong. And we claim to be a country built on no prejudices. *sigh*

I am so sorry you have to deal with people that judge you in this way. Its stupidty at its worst.



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