I wrote this for Yahoo! News to describe what has been happening in my world after I published my blog post, Some Real Shock and Awe: Racially Profiled and Cuffed in Detroit, on Monday.
Things are beginning to calm down on this end, and I am now working with the ACLU on the matter.
Again, thank you for all the support out there. Maybe there will be some positive outcome to all of this.
John J Diffley
/ September 16, 2011I think what happened to Mrs Hebshi, in light of the recent past few day’s revelations about FBI training that any and all Muslims (thus anyone who look Arabic or middle-Eastern) are in fact terrorists, or at least sympathizers, shows what a police state that the US has become. All Mexicans are undocumented, all Muslims are Terrorists, anyone not with the GOP/Tea Party is a Socialist, etc… means that even though we finally got bin laden, he won. We are now terrified of our fellow citizens, and act accordingly – which was what the terrorists wanted in the first place.
Uncle Mike
/ September 17, 2011I agree that “he” (I’ve long been a conspiracy advocate so I think the source of keeping the people divided, at odds, and powerless is made up of a few more kingpins than Bin Laden) has won not only with creating a “divided we fall, un-united states”, but a country that is broke and leaderless.
The money and resources to educate the youth, care for our health, protect the survival of our planet as we know it, has gone to pay for fighting “him”. The economy has collapsed, more and more of us don’t have what we need, except for those kingpins who have not and will not suffer, and who thrive on the peoples disunity and competitiveness.
So much of the attention, awareness, time, and energy of the US populace seems to be given to scandals, sensationalism, disagreements, reality shows, and sports. Besides being entertaining, they are HUGE distractions from dealing w/ the “state of the union”. It is depressing and disempowering to pay attention to our problems, especially the question of “what can I do?”
Again, thanks Shosh for giving us a glimpse into what’s not working in our country and an opportunity to do something about it via the legal system and public opinion.
Rab
/ September 16, 2011It is the right step to take talking to ACLU. Let the authority know that they have to be more intelligent about handling these type of delicate issue. Also What has happened to those Indian gus. Any news?
shebshi
/ September 22, 2011No one that I know of has heard from the two Indian men, though it would be good if they came forward.
Lindsay Gregg
/ September 16, 2011What a great story, so unfortunate that this had to happen to you, but it’s great that you are so understanding. It’s very sad that a few people can ruin everything for everyone else. I enjoy reading your blog though you’re an excellent writer.
ceciliag
/ September 17, 2011well it is good that you are able to do something positive anyway..c
strega42
/ September 18, 2011Shoshana, I just wanted to say that I’m impressed with the dignity and grace with which you’ve handled this entire thing, including the monstrosity of a comment thread on the shock and awe post. Thank you for leaving that comment thread open, in spite of the ignorance, short-sightedness, and the people using the thread as a political platform.
jhkld;lkjlk;zj;lkj
/ September 19, 2011Comparing yourself to Malcolm X in a prison cell? you’ve got to be kidding me. You were in a prison cell for an hour or so. What happened to you was not ok, but it was NOTHING compared to what many others experience. Harden up sweetheart. Malcolm X?!!! ha!
Jan
/ September 19, 2011I have commented before, when I first heard of Shoshana’s treatment, but I want to specifically condemn the strip search she was forced to endure. That is w-a-y over the line! Pulling some people to the side as they disembark, that I could at least understand. But the extreme reaction showed no judgment. And that is scary. These people have weapons and they have power, but no judgment. It is The State run amuk. I am very conservative and have little use for the ACLU (I still hold it against them that they campaigned for the right of Nazis to hold a parade in Skokie, Illinois, which at the time was inhabited by a lot of Holocaust survivors — see, no judgment!) But perhaps in this case they can redeem themselves. All the best, Shoshana. You’re doing an excellent job of leading by example.
Mary Challender
/ September 19, 2011Shoshana,
It made me sick to read about your experience and to know that some travelers are paying that level of attention to how often their fellow fliers are using the bathroom. I congratulate you on not losing your temper and resisting, at which point you probably would have faced criminal charges. I admire you for finding a way not only to share your feelings about this experience but also to initiate a dialogue on the loss of liberty that comes with post 9/11 paranoia.
By the way, we missed you at the softball end-of-season party!
Take care,
Mary
shebshi
/ September 19, 2011Hi Mary, good to hear from you and bummed to have miss that party as well. I did get a call from a few drunk teammates though
. Thanks for the note. Take care.
John
/ September 21, 2011http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44599441/ns/local_news-dallas_fort_worth_tx/t/afro-prompts-tsa-hair-pat-down/#.Tnqb2bwN_I0.hotmail
marvinmejoole
/ October 7, 2011Am happy your moving on, its a great deal of bravery. Had watched ”My Name is Khan”, and in the end thought it was just a movie, now I know what its like. Will all hate Terrorism and being treated as one is even worse.