Post 9-11 Ethnic Group Relations

¶ … ethnic and minority group relations and how it was affected by the events of 9-11. The writer's former perspective is presented as well as the way that perspective changed when the attacks occurred. In addition the writer provides ideas to strengthen future relations. There were three sources used to complete this paper. The day it happened changed my perspective forever. I turned on the television and saw what looked like a movie set exploding buildings.

It took several seconds for me to register that it was live and it was real and it was us. The attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 changed America forever (Giuliani, 2001). Gone are the carefree thoughts when we see a low flying plane, and in their place are fears it is being driven into the ground. Gone is the belief that we are invincible and in its place is the knowledge we are at the mercy of anyone who wants us badly enough.

Gone are the days of knowing without a doubt that living in the greatest nation on earth protects us, and in its place is the knowledge that living in the greatest nation on earth makes us a target. When I turned the television off my phone began to ring incessantly. One of the calls came from a friend of mine who is Middle Eastern by descent and American by visa. She was crying and telling me over and over that she was sorry.

Sorry, as if she had personally caused my horror. I reassured her that it was not her fault nor did I think she should be apologizing for the actions simply based on her heritage. Now that I have had a year to process the events of that day, I realize her apology was offered as much in fear as in sorrow. She knew when the planes hit the building that she was going to pay the price for what was happening.

Until the events of 9-11 I had prided myself on my love of diversity. I was a champion of tolerance and the embracement of differences. I was the first one to rally a group of friends for a cultural dinner party. I was the one who loved to learn about traditions other than my own.

Imagine my self anger and self shock the first time I saw an ethnic person following the attacks, and for an instant, less than a nana second, but existent just the same, I felt unwarranted anger. While the anger has been processed and put to rest, my perspective on ethnic relations has changed. I believe it is now more important than ever to embrace and encourage diversity, and that our future depends on it. ETHNIC RELATIONS Ethnic relations have come a long way over the past few year in America.

There was a time in our history in which minorities were treated as second class citizens and there was no effort to give them equality. The globalization process has removed century old barriers, and allowed us to glimpse the benefits of its tradition. Following the events of 9-11 it has become more important than ever to improve America's ethnic relations. Took a hit the day the towers came down, but I think the ultimate result will be a mass improvement even more so than before the attacks occurred.

THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH Immediately following the attacks residents of this country who were from other nations or looked like they were began to receive assaults and attacks both verbally and physically. Women and children on the street who looked Middle Eastern were suddenly barraged with insults, spitting and threats. Children were told to come straight home from school and to play in the house, while the men who appeared to be middle eastern by their skin tones were eyed suspiciously as possible terrorists.

Nationwide politicians used their camera time to urge constituents in the practice of tolerance. While I believe those requests were helpful I also believe that the nation has to begin working on the state of ethnic relations so that the future can be safer for everyone. If one wants proof that the events of 9-11 had a negative impact on ethnic relations and minority relations in American one need look no further than the businesses who employ Muslims.

Many of them reported an immediate drop in patronage, with one-day care center reported a ten percent drop in the rate of new clients when the potential clients would meet the staff and see the several Muslim staff members (Raghunthan, 2002). One of the ways that the nation can begin repair to the fractured ethnic and minority relations is to begin promoting the active patronage of minority owned businesses. Pulling away from doing business with minorities allows the terrorists to win.

They are here, we have proof that they are in this country now, observing, watching and reporting to those who plan the attacks. What better way to fight back than by holding heads high and reaching out more than ever before to embrace the diversity that this great nation was built on. Instead of transferring our anger for those who did this against the innocent minorities here let's shower them with understanding and business so they know we do not blame them for the actions of a few.

The entire concept of the Nazi regime was to divide and conquer. Gangs on our urban streets operate with the same mindset. Separate teens from parents and family and conquer that way. The terrorists must not see that their efforts have caused a racial divide in this nation. Another way my perspective has changed following my belief in supporting minority business is to spend some funds on public service ads to promote diversity.

My perspective has changed because in the past I felt that such ads were a waste of funds and time. The nation had worked hard to promote ethnic relations and I felt that it would continue on the path of success in its natural time frame. Following the events of 9-11 we no longer have the privilege of time and it is time to help the process along.

One group of Arab-Americans have already taken steps to encourage the interfacing of their cultures with the others in America (Media Campaign Encourages Tolerance in Response to American Tragedy: "Hate is Our Enemy" (http://www.aaiusa.org/pr/release10-01-01.htm). In the days following the terrorist attacks, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights received complaints from Arab and Muslim Americans who were being targeted in the wake of the attacks. In order.