Outline
1. Introduction
It is important to note that not every American with an Arabic origin is a public enemy.
2. Lorraine Ali’s Experience
Lorraine Ali grew up in America all her life, studied and worked there. However, the American people saw her as one of the Arabs involved in terrorist attacks in the United States. Her experience was full of prejudice, discrimination and racism.
3. Being an Arab does not Make One an Enemy of America
Ali was an Arab, but this could not make her be a public enemy number one of the United States. She was only considered guilty by association, since she was unable to ignore her roots.
4. Conclusion
Therefore, it is not fair for the Arab Americans to be considered as public enemy number one since they are not involved in the activities; their brothers out of the states carry out.
Analysis of Lorraine Ali’s “Do I Look Like Public Enemy Number One?”
Introduction
America has quite a unique trend in cultural diversity making its culture non- monolithic but a composite reflection of common cultures that identify with the state. Cultural identity is essential for remembrance of one’s background and roots. However, in the United States certain cultural backgrounds, for instance, Arabs and Colombians experience lots of ridicule and discrimination from fellow Americans. This act of prejudice against certain members of the society is often associated with unhealthy development, which can cause serious emotional and psychological harm to an individual (Mims and Nollen 17). Associating of individuals with their cultures is vital, however, not everyone from a given culture should be subjected to paying for the sins and mistakes of a few people of the same culture. Therefore, not every American with an Arabic origin is a public enemy.
Lorraine Ali’s Experience
The book mainly explains Ali’s personal experience of growing up as an Arab child in the United States, which subjected her to serious prejudice. She had to live almost a double life portraying herself as an Arab in some cases and American in others. Initially, understanding the reasons behind prejudice against Arab Americans was rather hard, since she was born in the United States and raised there as a citizen (Ali 08). Although, she had a distinguishing physical appearance from most of her school mates, there was no accurate reason for the increasing instances of discriminations. Later she came to realize the immense enmity between America and some Arab nations and why prejudice to Arabs in the United States was high. Arab Americans were often stereotyped as terrorists, and this was so public that the media took the forefront in this discriminative act. Ali found the stereotyping quite disturbing and at some point she even began questioning her love for her culture and as a person. Her school mates often asked about things she could not answer as they mocked and ridiculed her (Ali 17). At her work place, posters and stickers discriminating Arabs were all over, and at times she received faxes of dead Arabs, missiles and camels. This act of racism left Ali exceedingly devastated, and since she was not so familiar with Arabic culture, she found herself regretting (Ali 29). As the stereotyping continued among American people, so she continued embracing her culture and wanted to know more about Arabic roots.
Being an Arab does not Make One an Enemy of America
Of course, Americans may consider Iraqis and Iranians their enemies, but again, not the entire countries were involved in the terrorist attack. However, Americans have complicated the issue and made it an act of the Arabs. Anyone from the Arabic culture was considered a terrorist and got associated with the attacks that happened in the United States. Media has serious effects on people’s thoughts and beliefs. Since the American media were on the front line in subjecting the entire Arab community to prejudice and discrimination, the public had no option but to follow suit. The fact remains that not every Arab is a terrorist, for instance, Ali who was an innocent American citizen. She was born in America, raised, studied and worked in the state. Her only mistake was to be conceived by Arabic parents. She was not guilty of any terrorist crimes; she was only guilty by association. Prejudice and discrimination are common practices among Americans, and they like associating people with their cultural backgrounds (Mims and Nollen 18). This is evident for the Arabic culture as experienced by Ali. However, other people also experience similar racism, for instance the Colombians who are associated with drug dealing and transportation. Most of them are often referred to as mules, as far as they have Colombian origin. All these people are often seen as guilty by association by their American counterparts, making life rather uneasy for them in the United States.
Conclusion
It is true that discrimination still exists in America and those experiencing it are mainly the Arabs. Ali’s book tries to bring out the experience she had through her life as an Arab child and adult living in the United States. Most of the people around her discriminated her, prejudice and stereotyping was all she saw in her life, simply because some Arabs terrorized America. She was seen as guilty of association because she did not have a hand in the attacks but was an Arab. Media has been found to be extremely principle in promoting discriminative acts against certain cultures in America. However, essential to note is that, not every Arab is a terrorist or an enemy of America. They do not engage in the activities of the enemy; hence Arab Americans should be cut some slack. They are not part of the enemy’s actions, and since they live in America, they can as well be victims in case of attacks. Therefore, Ali’s book should be an eye opener to most Americans who are still stuck with the idea of crucifying people just because they have a similar cultural identity as the enemy.
Works Cited
Ali, Lorraine. “Do I look like public enemy number one?”: I love being American, but my Arab side puts me between Iraq and a hard place. Conde Nast Publications Inc., 1999
Mims, Joan T, and Elizabeth M. Nollen. Mirror on America: Essays and Images from Popular Culture. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009. Print.
