I made a mistake when I wrote about the story of the two Saudi students boarding a school bus. Because Sticks is a Tampa blog, I tried to keep my thoughts focused on the local: two adults were able to board a school bus with little complaint. I knew the students’ nationality would be a major part of the story, but I wanted to avoid a subject so absolutely large.
But the race issue is every bit about Tampa. USF and accusations of terrorism are undeniably linked.
Comments both on my post and at the story on TBO.com have made quite clear that we share this city with people of very strong opinions regarding this issue (though we’re proud to say that our readers here seem to be much more rational and intelligent). Even the Tribune’s Daniel Ruth weighed in with his opinion, which amounted to him searching the thesaurus for synonyms of “stupid” (good work, Dan - nice to see your reference library is in order).
I finally received my last bit of guilt today at work. The two Saudi Arabians are in the English Language Institute program, and most students enrolled in that program have been coming in my store to buy their books for the last week. (I don’t know for sure if I’ve helped the two that got on the school bus).
All of the ELI students are assigned to one of six levels of English learning. Those enrolled in the higher levels seem like they’re familiar enough with language and culture to help themselves. The vast majority however - especially those in the lower levels - ask for help with a combination of humility and nervous uncertainty that does not allow me to stay quiet about this.
Not all of the students are from Saudi Arabia or the Middle East - we have seen students from Brazil, Southeast Asia, even Western Europe. But we are talking about two Saudi students. And it just so happens that the differences between their culture and ours are probably far greater than with most other regions in this world. Let’s flip this thing around; can you honestly tell me that in four to six months living in Saudi Arabia, you would feel completely confident in your knowledge of a language with a completely different alphabet? In a half year, would you gain the knowledge of customs and procedures completely different from those you’ve known your entire life?
Now imagine you have make a mistake. You do understand this country is supposed to be all about freedom and opportunity - how could simply boarding a bus be wrong? And then with no warning, intimidating people with weapons are asking you a lot of questions. It’s not exactly Midnight Express yet, but you don’t know it won’t become that. And keep in mind, these young guys are fully aware of the way Middle Easterners are viewed in this country these days.
Have you ever been pulled over? And then say something stupid or unneccesary to the cop? Would you if thought you were a few steps away from deportation. I can easily understand why these two would be hesitant to admit their nationality.
Listen, if these guys are up to no good, and months from now we’re mourning some great tragedy, I can understand your furious stance with my bleeding heart. But don’t expect an apology.
Not only am I satisfied with the authorities’ decision to let these men go (albeit after some pretty questionable investigating) but I’m just too in love with life to spend it with my head over my shoulder and my finger on a trigger. There is an enormous difference between living with sensible caution and living with paranoid xenophobia. If you can’t function without the latter that is absolutely your right. Me - I’m holding firm to my shred of faith in humanity that is far more threatened by growing insensitivity (bordering on and edging over to bigotry) than by a murderous few ruining it for an innocent many.
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