The Face of America

Published on 09/17/2001 Daily Egyptian (SIUC)

Like most Americans, I sat glued to my television Tuesday as the horrific events unfolded. Like most Americans, I had a little trouble getting my mind around the images coming into my living room. Like most Americans, I want something done about it. Someone has to pay.

Unlike too many Americans, my passions have cooled a bit. Yes, I still want retribution, but we need to think about it very carefully. There's an old proverb: Revenge is a dish best eaten cold.

The face of America: Usman Farman, a Muslim who worked in one of the World Trade Center towers was outside and fell to the ground when one of the towers collapsed. This is his account: "I was on my back, facing this massive cloud that was approaching, it must have been 600 feet off, everything was already dark," Farman said. "I normally wear a pendant around my neck, inscribed with an Arabic prayer for safety; similar to the cross. A Hasidic Jewish man came up to me and held the pendant in his hand, and looked at it. He read the Arabic out loud for a second.

"What he said next, I will never forget. With a deep Brooklyn accent he said, 'Brother, if you don't mind, there is a cloud of glass coming at us, grab my hand, let's get the hell out of here.' He helped me stand up, and we ran for what seemed like forever without looking back."

Also the face of America: Police in Chicago rush to stop crowds from attacking mosques. In many cities around the country, Americans citizens who are Muslim or of Arabic decent are afraid to leave their homes. They are harassed and attacked on the streets. Why? What did they do?

Nothing, they just happened to look like the perceived enemy.

Everyone wants revenge, and I have faith in Mr. Bush's vow that we will have it. It is not going to be tomorrow, it is not going to be quick, and it is going to be painful and costly for both sides. We need to make sure it directed at those responsible and the governments that succor them. We do not need it on our streets. That is not the American way - that is the way of the angry mob. We have police and courts to deal with those still here on American soil who were involved.

On another note, I commend those of you who have decided to fly the flag. Here are a few tips in flag etiquette. If the flag is hung flat, the field (the blue part with the stars) should be to viewer's left. If it's on a staff projecting from the front of your house, please ensure it is positioned to where it not will become entangled on something. Remember to take the flag down at night. Except for special occasions where the flag is flown on a lighted pole, it should never be left out at night. If it's very faded or worn, please replace it as soon as possible.

Sorry Jim, no laughs this week.