“Hani!!! What an interesting name”
Well, thank you
“What kind of name is that?”
It’s an Arabic name
“Oh, where are you from Hani?”
New York
“No, I meant, where is your family from originally?
Egypt.
‘Hmm’, with a suspicious voice, “what religion are you?”
I am Muslim
with a face full of disappointment “you aren’t one of those radical terrorists, are you?”
No, I am not. Do I look like one to you?
“Well you never know what one looks like? You have to be careful, you know”
Yes, I understand, and I assure you, I am not one of them
“That’s good to know, so how do you feel about the Arab-Israeli conflict?”
That is an issue that requires a lot of time, and an open mind if you wish to hear my opinion on it
“So do you hate Jews as all Arabs do? Are you anti-Semitic?”
Hate is such a strong word, and I know better than to hate another being just because of what they are
“But Are you anti-Semitic?”
That is not possible; I would suggest that you look up the meaning of the word before you use it so loosely.
“What are you trying to imply? Are you saying that I am ignorant?”
I am not saying anything, you are the one saying it, but if you must know, I am not anti-Semitic. It’s impossible to hate my own people.
With a look of confusion, “what do you mean your own people? I thought you are a Muslim-Arab!!!”
Yes, I am Muslim and an Arab, which makes me very much Semitic.
“Pardon me, I must take this call”
