The Truth under it All
Read this closely, because what I am about to tell you may make the biggest difference. I am both an American and an Indian, and I am a part of both the American and Indian cultures. I find it very upsetting and troublesome when someone believes that my religion or I have hatred toward their culture of religion. The solution is that people need to become more educated, before they speak of something they know nothing about.
Ever since September 11, 2001, people have seen my family, friends, and me in a different way. People give us looks and don�t even bother to learn that we are probably more against terrorism then they are, we worry about the safety of our family back in India, and now we worry about our own safety and those we know here as well. Why do Indian people feel this way it is because India has been dealing with terrorism for several decades, and that is why when these unimaginable attacks India was one of the first countries to stand up and tell the United States that they were with them.
My parents have always taught me that you must always respect all religions, because as important as our religion is to us, that is how important the other religion is important to another person. I may be going to a private college and may require me to take theology classes, I had some doubts at first, but my parents told me it was good it would help open my eyes to the other religions in the world. Even at home we have a small temple which has the gods we worship, a framed picture of Christ, and we are getting the Star of David as well as some more items that represent other religions to make sure that we all learn to respect other religions and cultures.
In schools, we do not learn about India or Hinduism for more than a couple class periods tops and then people just assume something. People may believe that they are educated but when they make ridiculous comments, it shows their true lack of knowledge and understanding of the real world, and their comments at times become seemingly close to racism without their knowledge.
The problem of not knowing anything about outside cultures and religions needs to be fixed and as soon possibly by adding more time in class to learning about what is not known. People need to learn at an early age, that despite skin color and cultural differences, we are very much similar. The wisdom of our visionary four fathers stated in the constitution of this great nation �All men are created equal.� Don�t ever have doubts about someone, and if you do next time don�t just look at someone and think they are bad because they have tan or dark skin. Next time ask them who they are, I know that I would rather be asked anytime about who I really am, then be looked upon as if I don�t belong. Despite my religion or skin color, I am as American as apple pie.