Confrontation

I haven’t been involved in a confrontation about race. I’ve seen prejudice actions take place, but these actions were not overtly rude or cruel. Yes, at airports Muslims are frequently pulled out of security lines, but, sadly, this can be expected. Security guards and airport officials are paranoid. I’m paranoid. Last Spring Break, my family visited Washington, D.C. When at a famous art museum, I saw a Muslim speaking Arabic into a walkie-talkie. Suddenly, I felt an intense urge to flee the building because I was absolutely sure this man was going to blow up the museum and all of its American paintings. I convinced my brother I was sick, and we promptly left. Of course the museum did not go up in flames; I had let a stereotype influence my judgment. Afterwards, I was upset at myself for being so skittish and weird. I can’t say these kinds of decisions won’t happen again for they have. At the state fair or at the mall, I will purposefully avoid groups of black men because they worry me. It might be bad that I do this, but I’ve heard too many stories. I don’t agree with every statement in Wachtel’s essay. I’m neither racist nor indifferent. I know there are racial unbalances in America, and I feel for those affected by these unbalances. I’m friends with all types of people and treat them all the same. My actions are sometimes not founded in reality, but I’m only trying to protect myself.