When the Imperial Japanese Navy swooped over Pearl Harbor 65 years ago and destroyed more than 2,400 American lives, Mas Yamasaki was watching a church basketball game in Sacramento.

He was 12, and he didn't know that he would soon live in a detention camp at Tule Lake -- sleeping on an Army-issued mattress, braving the elements without indoor plumbing or heat.

The child of Japanese immigrants, Yamasaki was born an American citizen. But he spent 31/2 years of his American childhood in the camp -- he was considered a threat to national security.

The internment of Japanese immigrants is familiar to most Americans -- in large part, because Yamasaki and legions of Japanese camp survivors have made their voices heard.

Now, Yamasaki and other survivors are speaking out against a new danger.

"We were stereotyped," said Yamasaki. "Now, with the Muslims, it's the same thing. Everyone's pointing fingers saying they're an enemy."

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stripped Japanese Americans of their homes and freedom. But five years ago, the actions of 19 hijackers radically altered the lives of the county's estimated 6 million Muslims.

"Pearl Harbor gave the United States the excuse to discriminate against Japanese Americans by saying these guysare potential saboteurs," said Steve Okamoto, co-president of the San Mateo chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). "Now, they're lumping (Muslims) together like they did with the Japanese."

Okamoto, 65, was only 6 weeks old when he and his family were shipped from their home to the Tanforan Racetrack in San Bruno and later to the Topaz internment camp in Utah.

After 9/11, Okamoto and other members of the JACL were the first non-Muslims to speak out against the swirling dust storm of anti- Muslim hate speech. Okamoto since has helped coordinate JACL forums with Muslim Americans to speak out on the dangerous excesses of stereotyping -- both past and present.



Although Muslim Americans face stereotyping and spying, many of the most blatant victims of negative typecasting are Muslims on extended visits to the country. After 9/11, more than 1,000 men from Muslim countries were detained, mostly on immigration charges. Many of those charged were later deported.

In 2002 and 2003, Muslim men and boys living in the United States from about 20 countries were told to register with immigration officials under the threat of deportation.

But some Muslim Americans say they don't feel discriminated against.

Imam Abdurrahman Anwar is the younger brother of Imam Tahir Anwar. He is also the religious director of the Muslim Community Association of the Peninsula, a mosque and community center in Belmont. Unlike his brother, Imam Abdurrahman Anwar has not encountered much racial profiling and discrimination. People in the Bay Area, he said, are more enlightened and understanding. When Anwar, 22, walks around town with his beard and his "thobe" (an ankle-length gown worn by Muslims), he gets friendly inquiries about his faith alongside the stares.

But some members of his congregation are not so fortunate.

On a recent evening, Imad Kadoumi, 48, sat on the mosque's carpeted floor and chatted about his experiences in the nation's airports -- flying while Muslim.

"When I go anywhere in the world, because of my U.S. passport, they treat me like a king," said Kadoumi, who lives in Belmont. "And when I come home to my country, they treat me like (expletive)."


http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061218/ai_n16895390/print

There's always a bogeyman. Comments?

Ole'!

*sounds of mariachi music*

I know how this script goes. **Rules for never being responsible for racism***

1) Deny the fact that you're racist. Justify it by insisting that you're higher on the Evolutionary scale.

2) Deny the Victoms justice for as long as you live. Pass it down to the next generation, rinse and repeat.

3) Once the victoms are granted due process. Praise them in public, all while condemming them in private.

4) Lastly, if the victoms are ever granted their day in court. Just insist it's a thing of the past, (eventhough a plethora of racial injustices still exist) That way no one will ever be held responsible.


That's how you master the art of racism.

Now imagine how easily all that suspicion would evaporate if only that tiny minority of moderates would just come out of the closet and turn in Uncle Ahmad when he and the cousins start talking about that silly "lesser jihad" thing and how "the kuffar will pay". Or, at least, before they're out buying nails and gas cannisters.

We kicked the japs ass so we'll kick the mozlems ass too...hell they don't even have a battleship!

If mozlems don't like it they shouldn't a bombed pearl!!

"Was it over when the mozlems bombed pearl harbour?"

*"mozlems??*
**"forget it he's on a roll."*

"Hell no! and it ain't over now"

"But some Muslim Americans say they don't feel discriminated against."

So .....I guess there ain't no bogeymen, huh, Sam?

Or are you just trying stir up more hatred for the Muslims?

Baron Max

Now imagine how easily all that suspicion would evaporate if only that tiny minority of moderates would just come out of the closet and turn in Uncle Ahmad when he and the cousins start talking about that silly "lesser jihad" thing and how "the kuffar will pay". Or, at least, before they're out buying nails and gas cannisters.

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US :rolleyes:

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US :rolleyes:

No, Sam, the Muslims haven't attacked BECAUSE we're watchin' 'em like a hawk now, not because the Muslims are such good guys! Get it straight, Sam.

Baron Max

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US :rolleyes:

Sure; no attacks in the Western world. That kind of stuff only takes place in Iraq.

Like 7/11, or the Spanish train bombings, or the attempt at the French train bombings, or the idiots at Glasgow, or the guys arrested last week with the pipe bombs, or the guys who were going to mortar the US airbase in Pennsylvania, or the ones involved with the bomb plot at JFK, or the guy who drove his car into a crowd at NC State or somewhere, or that guy who attacked the Jewish Women's Center, or the kid who killed that Hindu family in Cali, or heck, 9/11 itself.

All quiet here.

Sure; no attacks in the Western world. That kind of stuff only takes place in Iraq.

Like 7/11, or the Spanish train bombings, or the attempt at the French train bombings, or the idiots at Glasgow, or the guys arrested last week with the pipe bombs, or the guys who were going to mortar the US airbase in Pennsylvania, or the ones involved with the bomb plot at JFK, or the guy who drove his car into a crowd at NC State or somewhere, or that guy who attacked the Jewish Women's Center, or the kid who killed that Hindu family in Cali, or heck, 9/11 itself.

All quiet here.

All these are happening from the US? Gee.

No, Sam, the Muslims haven't attacked BECAUSE we're watchin' 'em like a hawk now, not because the Muslims are such good guys! Get it straight, Sam.

Baron Max

Now all you gotta worry about is the politicians destroying your country.

All these are happening from the US? Gee.

A large number are happening in it. More misunderstanders, I'm sure.

A large number are happening in it. More misunderstanders, I'm sure.

Link please.

You'll have them in due course. Being truthful, I always bring my proofs. ;)

You'll have them in due course. Being truthful, I always bring my proofs. ;)

I await with ba(i)ted breath.

Now all you gotta worry about is the politicians destroying your country.

Nah, Sam, politicians can't stick their fingers in the ass with a full set of detailed instructions and full-pictured blueprints!

As long as we have good cops and good, patriotic military men and women, plus patriotic citizens with guns and weapons, the politicians won't be able to destroy the nation ....we won't let 'em. Just like we watch the Muslims in the USA like a hawk ...while the politicians try to tell us to be tolerant and understanding. ...LOL!

Baron Max

How are we watching Muslims like a hawk? Our borders are wide open! Our port security is inadequate. All a terrorist has to do is payoff a corrupt Mexican Border Patrol Agent. And he could bring along anything with him for all they care. Dateline has done undercover doc's showing them walking though empty airplanes, un interrupted AFTER 911.

Nah, Sam, politicians can't stick their fingers in the ass with a full set of detailed instructions and full-pictured blueprints!

As long as we have good cops and good, patriotic military men and women, plus patriotic citizens with guns and weapons, the politicians won't be able to destroy the nation ....we won't let 'em. Just like we watch the Muslims in the USA like a hawk ...while the politicians try to tell us to be tolerant and understanding. ...LOL!

Baron Max

Its nice to see you being positive for a change Baron.:)

Sam,

Lets get down to the bear facts. Would any of your pals here be permitted to walk around Iran freely? That is a serious question.

How many Muslims live in complete freedom in U.S? This is easy to see, just walk around most cities. Tell me where in the world you could go where the minimal precautions would not be taken after attacks. Go ahead tell us Sam.

Sam,

Lets get down to the bear facts. Would any of your pals here be permitted to walk around Iran freely? That is a serious question.

How many Muslims live in complete freedom in U.S? This is easy to see, just walk around most cities. Tell me where in the world you could go where the minimal precautions would not be taken after attacks. Go ahead tell us Sam.

The best solution is, if the mountain won't go to Mohammed... why not bring the ME to the US? La, instant libertie!

So then the U.S IS the holy land? You should really appreciate it then.

So then the U.S IS the holy land? You should really appreciate it then.

Of course, it has always been my dream to be treated like an especial case because of my color and religion. :bugeye:

Of course, it has always been my dream to be treated like an especial case because of my color and religion. :bugeye:

That is why they come here:).

That is why they come here:).

And I always thought it was the easy money that attracted them, like the Europeans who work in the ME and the immigrants in Saudi Arabia.:shrug:

And I always thought it was the easy money that attracted them, like the Europeans who work in the ME and the immigrants in Saudi Arabia.:shrug:

No, not really like that at all.

Now imagine how easily all that suspicion would evaporate if only that tiny minority of moderates would just come out of the closet and turn in Uncle Ahmad when he and the cousins start talking about that silly "lesser jihad" thing and how "the kuffar will pay". Or, at least, before they're out buying nails and gas cannisters.

why should they have to apoligise? how many christians apologised for that abortion clinic bomber? or how many jews apologise everytime a jewish settler murders a palistinian family? why should muslims be held to such a higher standard than other religions?

why should they have to apoligise? how many christians apologised for that abortion clinic bomber? or how many jews apologise everytime a jewish settler murders a palistinian family? why should muslims be held to such a higher standard than other religions?

Because Christians don't support abortion clinic bombers, there are a very few radicals that did this sort of thing but I know of no Major Christian Religion that support such actions, I my self would turn in anyone that did such actions, I don't believe in abortion, but I don't believe that the chance of murdering someone is worth bombing a clinic, I don't know of any of the people in my church who have ever said bombing was ok, or any of the Churches that I attend, Now show were any of the main stream or even the evangelical condone such actions, if you would care to do some research in our country people who bomb clinics are hunted down arrested and tried and convicted, show me were the same is done in the Islamic Religion, hell they are promised 72 virgins and called martyrs and treated like heros for killing themselves and anyone they can take with them, nothing like that in the Western Religions.

why should they have to apoligise? how many christians apologised for that abortion clinic bomber? or how many jews apologise everytime a jewish settler murders a palistinian family? why should muslims be held to such a higher standard than other religions?

You misunderstand the difference between "apologize" and "turn in so that they can't perform terrorism". I would like the islamic community to report these people to the authorities when they hear about what they're doing, or when they do something suspicious. Apologies are meaningless. Yet there seems to be sentiment in the islamic community to the effect that many muslims wouldn't turn in a fellow muslim. This is the problem.

You misunderstand the difference between "apologize" and "turn in so that they can't perform terrorism". I would like the islamic community to report these people to the authorities when they hear about what they're doing, or when they do something suspicious. Apologies are meaningless. Yet there seems to be sentiment in the islamic community to the effect that many muslims wouldn't turn in a fellow muslim. This is the problem.

This Islamic community?

http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/lawmaker.html

http://www.yahyabirt.com/?p=66

http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php

This Islamic community?

http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/lawmaker.html

http://www.yahyabirt.com/?p=66

http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php

Those are good, but there are a sizeable number that seem to slip through the cracks. Why is that, do you suppose? Are there a lot of muslims that believe in (it)jihad or something?

Those are good, but there are a sizeable number that seem to slip through the cracks. Why is that, do you suppose? Are there a lot of muslims that believe in (it)jihad or something?

All Muslims believe in jihad; the anomaly is in what they consider to be jihad.

e.g. if I were to answer a questionnaire, do you support jihad, jihadists, palestinians, hezbollah, I would tick yes to all.

If however the questions were, do you support suicide bombers, killing civilians, I would definitely answer no.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061218/ai_n16895390/print

There's always a bogeyman. Comments?
and it's islamic in nature:
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/594.html
http://home.att.net/~phosphor/week1a.html

islam is working overtime to pit blacks against whites in america. it thrives on bigotry and racism. no wonder our favorite intellectually dishonest propagandist picks on blacks and japanese and minorities in general.

please sam, do all of us a favor and plant a suicide bomb in the middle of nowhere.

So racism against blacks in America is due to Muslims? :rolleyes:

All Muslims believe in jihad; the anomaly is in what they consider to be jihad.

e.g. if I were to answer a questionnaire, do you support jihad, jihadists, palestinians, hezbollah, I would tick yes to all.

If however the questions were, do you support suicide bombers, killing civilians, I would definitely answer no.

Well that's odd, because some of the people you ticked off in the first column - jihadists, hezbollah - would definitely have answered yes to the second column - suicide bombers, killing civilians.

It's odd that you decry Lal for his support of Hindutava, yet not yourself for your support of Hezbollah. ;)

I don't decry Lal for his support of Hindutva, but for for his support of the VHP and their demolition of the Babri Masjid, which led to riots across the country killings thousands, for the riots in Bombay, a place where one would never have expected communal violence, so that people were imported in trucks by the VHP to kill innocent people, for his support of a party which led to the worst bloodbath in Gujarat since the partition.

As for Israel, you already know my opinion on the matter of their occupation of Lebanon for 18 years, it hasn't changed. Last years demolition of the country and the million cluster bombs that are still killing people (in the face of their adamant refusal to provide maps) hardly makes it any different.

Nor does theor power play and continued occupation and oppression of Palestine. Israel, in its present course, is doomed to failure as a country.

So racism against blacks in America is due to Muslims? :rolleyes:
i would venture a damn good part of it is.
i never realized that islam was such a political force, but it is.
you can roll those eyeballs of yours all you want but you know exactly how islam is being used as a lever in america and elsewhere.

I don't decry Lal for his support of Hindutva, but for for his support of the VHP and their demolition of the Babri Masjid, which led to riots across the country killings thousands

Yet you excuse Hezbollah's murders in their thousands?

As for Israel, you already know my opinion on the matter of their occupation of Lebanon for 18 years, it hasn't changed...Israel, in its present course, is doomed to failure as a country.

Yes, they would probably make it much longer there if they just assumed the natural position of Jewish people in islamic society, which appears from history to be second class citizens. Strange that they refuse to abase themselves, the kuffar.

Yet you excuse Hezbollah's murders in their thousands?.

In defense? They target the military of a country that is constantly attacking them, that has several of their countrymen in prison, that has recently demolished their country's infrastructure for two soldiers (contrast this with the British soldiers in Iran and the British reaction).



Yes, they would probably make it much longer there if they just assumed the natural position of Jewish people in islamic society, which appears from history to be second class citizens. Strange that they refuse to abase themselves, the kuffar


Now compare that to US troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq, with their notions of secular liberation.:yawn:

Now reverse the situation. And tell me how ludicrous is your thinking?

why all the silence about my links sam?

or are you going to pass them off as minor, insignificant?

In defense? They target the military of a country that is constantly attacking them, that has several of their countrymen in prison, that has recently demolished their country's infrastructure for two soldiers (contrast this with the British soldiers in Iran and the British reaction).

Why kidnap the soldiers? Why arm? Do they honestly feel they could defeat the Israeli army in full? What nonsense. They cower behind inhabited buildings to launch rockets at the Israelis, who have been backed into a corner by the religious intransigence of their neighbours.

Now compare that to US troops are in Afghanistan and Iraq, with their notions of secular liberation.:yawn:

Are you implying that the US is in the midst of a religious crusade of conversion and subjugation?? Be serious. If they are, then it should be easy to show me the punitive taxes they levy on the conquered muslims in Iraq (and which are not applied against non-muslims); likewise, it should be simple to find pictures of the legions of Christian (or even secular) preachers that are flooding Iraq to convert people. No? Now tell me how ridiculous you must feel, defending the indefensible on the basis of common religion. :rolleyes: Sheer hypocrisy.

Why kidnap the soldiers? Why arm? Do they honestly feel they could defeat the Israeli army in full? What nonsense. They cower behind inhabited buildings to launch rockets at the Israelis, who have been backed into a corner by the religious intransigence of their neighbours.


Yeah shame on them for fighting a fully equipped fully armed army, in defense of their country. What are they thinking?:rolleyes:


Are you implying that the US is in the midst of a religious crusade of conversion and subjugation?? Be serious. If they are, then it should be easy to show me the punitive taxes they levy on the conquered muslims in Iraq (and which are not applied against non-muslims); likewise, it should be simple to find pictures of the legions of Christian (or even secular) preachers that are flooding Iraq to convert people. No? Now tell me how ridiculous you must feel, defending the indefensible on the basis of common religion. :rolleyes: Sheer hypocrisy.



Hear anything about the lost money and oil? Where do you think it is?

And the lost arms, the arming of minority insurgent groups?

Hypocrisy does not make it better.

Yeah shame on them for fighting a fully equipped fully armed army, in defense of their country. What are they thinking?:rolleyes:

Like, OMG! That is like SO the argument I had about the Israelis defending themselves back in the 20s and 30s! But I guess that was probably different. You know, them being nonbelievers and all, and with you being into your religious identity ATM.

Hear anything about the lost money and oil? Where do you think it is?

Stolen, maybe. Does this relate to the religion thing?

And the lost arms, the arming of minority insurgent groups?

Stupidity or hope. Maybe Saudi payoffs. Hard to say. Not something I support either, frankly. Can't Riyadh just buy and sneak in weapons like everyone else?

Hypocrisy does not make it better.

Ah - you've come a long way.