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Is This My America?

Is this the America that I came to know thirty years ago? The land that its constitution is the crown jewel of all democracies in the world and its laws are supposed to protect us all?
The event of 9/11 has changed the face of this country. At times I feel I am living in the country that I left thirty years ago.
Let’s not forget that this is a very sensitive time in the American history. United states has every right to protect and defend its own National interests. But let’s also remember that it is equally a very challenging time for a great many immigrants especially those from the Middle East.
We all know the problem. Few ignorant fanatic fundamentalists have attacked this country and many innocent lives have been lost. But the solution is not hatred, belligerency and unlawful arrests. It would be a great loss for this great country to stain its name by unlawful arrests of innocent people based on their looks, faith or heritage or to ignore the rights of our citizens . These acts only beget more global anger against America, and quite harmful to American image and it is an insult to American constitution.
As immigrants it is our job to open a dialogue and to educate our host country-America- about our cultures and traditions. Americans in turn must welcome such dialogues because this is the only way America can enjoy the global peace.
“Accent” is an Iranian-American outreach program that promotes such dialogues. This is a weekly television talk show in English language. Accent’s mission is to educate Americans and other nationalities about Iran and Iranians. The weekly interviews highlight Iranian’s achievements and their contributions to the American society and how wrongfully they are associated with the “Axis of Evil”.
Programs such as “Accent” must be initiated and supported as means of communication between Americans and Muslim immigrants to heal the wounds and to set the records straight.
Iranian immigrants are by and large highly educated, resourceful, law-abiding people. They have come here to enjoy freedom and justice and not to be burden on the society. America should not disappoint them.

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