Journal 7

I am a mutt. I am part Dutch, English, Sioux Indian but I am mostly Swedish and German. I don’t know of the struggles my ancestors but I’m sure they faced some sort of discrimination because even to this day it is unfortunately inevitable.

I think religion has always been difficult to talk about but more so after September 11th because anything that had to do with race or religion became 10 times touchier. I’m not sure if we talk enough about tensions between religions but I will say I think we need to understand religions other than our own before we judge and question the people that practice those religions.

I thought the video was helpful to see how Muslims live in America, the struggles they go through on a day to day basis. I liked to hear that they are proud to be in America and can be American and Muslim at the same time. One quote I liked was “they don’t talk of returning home, they are home”. They didn’t seem to forget who they are or where they come from but they appreciate the opportunities The United States can give them. One Muslim man said, “I will sacrifice my life for this country”. Coming from a military family I appreciate this. I have more respect for people who love their country than people who live here and constantly complain about it. I know there are Muslim extremists as there are extremist on any level but I would like to think that most Muslims think and act in the way the film portrayed. I would also like to think that most Americans, race and religion aside, feel that way too. American as a whole is still too unaccepting of other people’s race and religion. We have made great strides but obviously still have a long way to go. I am just thankful that I live in a country as great as The United States.