Panel unveils many cultures of Americans
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    SE students and faculty members gathered in a forum last week to voice opinions and questions regarding the Sept. 11 attacks.

    Many Faces of America: Multiculturalism in the United States, organized and sponsored by SE student services, emphasized tolerance, steadfast patriotism and the sanctity of American liberties.

    “We are all Americans, no matter whether we have brown skin or are Arabs, Muslims or any number of ethnic races. Since the tragedy, I cannot think of anything other than being an American,” Dr. Elizabeth Joseph, English professor, said.

    Sharon Wettengel, instructor of sociology, moderated the panel, which included Dr. Joseph, Dr. Catherine Bottrell, Jose Gonzales, Ehi Agboaye and Dr. Hamed Madani.

    “Islam is not monolithic. Muslims make up one-sixth of the world population, and only 25 percent of that population is Arab,” Madani, professor of political science, said.

    Madani, a U.S. citizen and Muslim native of Afghanistan, expressed his grief regarding the oppression of Afghans.

    “Afghans have been made to suffer a great deal because of their civil war. The Taliban has imposed a totalitarian regime. They have attempted to destroy Afghan culture, tradition and historical values,” he said.

    Gonzales, professor of anthropology and sociology, talked about how positively SE Campus students have come together since the attacks and the ensuing deluge of information from the media about the suspects and the Arab world,

    “The local area has had an unbelievable expansion of people from many places and cultures who came to America to experience their dreams. In the expansion, SE was born. We have a beautiful confluence of cultures on campus,” he said.

    Bottrell, professor of political science, concurred.

“No one knows what a criminal looks like. In America we do not support discrimination,” she said.

    U. S. foreign policy also weighs in heavily in daily American life, Agboaye, professor of political science, said.

    “The United States is considered the only economic superpower of importance left that has the capability of creating ‘universal earthquakes’ with their policies. We have many new allies, but those friends could be suspicious friends,” he said.

    Recent allies such as Russia and China may offer only superficial support. An expanding war including other mid-East countries could create a global disagreement of superpowers, Agboaye said.

    “People we consider terrorists may be another person’s freedom fighters, but by no means are the perpetrators of this attack freedom fighters. Groups that do not have the type of power America has in politics will always rely on terrorist activities,” he said.

    Because of concerns for American citizens’ safety, lawmakers, the media and public alike are worried that liberties may be sacrificed to guarantee security. One highly controversial method of law enforcement is racial profiling, suspicion based solely on perceived ethnicity, Bottrell said.

“When the government wants to question, detain and accuse us of a crime, they must follow the rules established in 1790 when we wrote the Bill of Rights,” she said.

    The fourth amendment states the government requires probable cause in order to detain individuals, Bottrell said.

    “If I am driving down New York Avenue after school and smoking a joint, I am probably in possession of marijuana. But if I am driving and my skin is brown, what does that mean? Absolutely nothing!” she said to illustrate probable cause.

    “We should not give away hard fought rights. Once rights are taken away, who guarantees they’ll come back? No one. The country needs to balance international security with freedom,” she said.

    Recently, law enforcement has bolstered protection largely as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of numerous Muslims, Bottrell said.

    Joseph pointed out the role all Americans can play in the current situation.

    “When we fight amongst each other we let Osama bin Laden win. It forces America into divisiveness and makes it lose its peace and harmony. Therefore, we must stop mistreating, name calling and finger pointing because that only causes strife among ourselves,” she said.

    Joseph stressed that TCC and the entire public should maintain an open dialogue that focuses on their emotions, to secure peace.

    “I felt sad and enraged just like any patriotic American did on Sept. 11 at the perpetrators’ actions. I plead that everyone keep your reason and do not let rage and passion rule you in this instance,” she said.

    Gonzales said the question of when the nation can return to normalcy is on the minds of all Americans.

    “After the attacks, we were transfixed in our souls and brought into a world of daily uncertainty,” he said.

    Our life of uncertain security sadly may be the normalcy of the present and future, Gonzales said.

    Agboaye offered advice to students and all Americans.

    “Americans should proceed with their lives carefully and vigilantly. We have enemies living amongst us, but we should not live with fear in our hearts,” he said.

    To provide a lasting peace, Madani suggests the United States implement a program of reconstruction within the country’s government.

    An overwhelming number of Muslims do not support the ideology of bin Laden or the Taliban. There is no general rule dictating Islam, Madani said.

    “The Taliban is using Afghanistan as a launching pad of extremist movements,” he added.

    Madani clarified the nature of the Taliban regime by delving into Afghanistan’s recent history.

    The war to drive the Russians from Afghanistan, as well as the constant internal fighting, left the people tired of war land ripe for exploitation. Inflation, food scarcity and unemployment resulted in the economic climate being reduced to shambles. The Taliban took advantage of the situation and in ’96 implemented their fundamentalist rule, further ravaging the economy, Madani said.

    Gonzales said, “It is imperative our culture avoid terrorism of the heart and steer clear of acting on feelings of terror and anger. Education, information and discussion can further cultural pluralism.”

    Bottrell concluded with more suggestions.

    “What is beautiful about this country is anyone can say whatever they want. Thoughts don’t hurt! Forget Brittany Spears and pay attention to important things. Read a newspaper, write letters to your congressman and get involved,” she said.