Clayton Koff
Staff Writer
Pocatello’s rocky relationship with Middle Eastern students has been chronicled in numerous Idaho newspapers and even The New York Times, but the bigotry students allege has proved difficult to address.
A group of Middle Eastern women at ISU think change in the student and local community is possible. They offered their insight at a panel last Thursday.
“One time here on campus, a man approached me and asked several times if it was okay to talk to me,” said panelist Hanan Abu Ali. “I told him yes, but he kept asking, “Are you really sure I can talk to you?’”
Ali said that though she repeatedly assured the man she could speak with him, he said he was afraid of Muslims. Would her parents kill him for talking to her? he asked.
“Believe it or not, that man is one of my best friends now,” she said at the panel. “But that incident proves that a lot of stereotypes and fear come from not knowing—if you don’t ask, you will never know. If I would have gotten mad at him, it would have made the problem worse.”
The story represents the education process that panelists believe can inspire change within the community. Fear incited an uninformed reaction from an individual, and Ali’s calm explanations helped him reach a more accurate conclusion about her lifestyle.
But when that process does not occur, fear and stereotypes may reign, said panelists. One example, observable on the ISU campus, is a dwindling of diversity.
During the panel, history professor Zackery Heern described a worsening situation.
“Four years ago we had way more Middle Eastern students than we do now. The reason for this is due to intimidation,” he said. “Students don’t want to come here anymore because they are being intimidated, and as a result we are losing diversity. We have to protect and stand up for each other.”
If someone observes an act of bigotry or violence and they are uncomfortable speaking up, they can call the police, Heern said.
Community members can also make an effort to educate themselves on issues with which they are not familiar. One of the speakers in the panel concluded with a message that can aid with this process.
“Panels like this are healthy for the community, because fear comes from the unknown. It’s a safe atmosphere where people can ask questions, and hopefully we can provide answers,” said Abeer Alqurashi. “Us Middle Easterners are very friendly, and the only way people can know that is if we get to know each other. At the end of the day, human is human. We all have two eyes, fingers, a nose. We don’t control our skin color, or our weight, or height. All I can say is love your neighbor as you love yourself, and we can do great things as the human race.”
