Well yesterday I had an awesome MLK day. We didn't have classes, but taylor provided a bunch of different sessions on the topics of racial issues that we could go to, and they were really cool! I went to one talking about Arab-American relations that was fascinating!! I could've listened to it all day I think. The guy speaking was an Arab-American...he had such a clear view of what America is really like --it was so cool listening to someone who can actually see the US, like it really is because he can see it from the outside. some things he said: He gets mad when an airport worker searches an old white lady with a cain, but doesn't search him. He wouldn't mind being searched because its a fact that people that look like him ARE the what the past-terrorists have looked like. It shouldn't be considered discrimination. He would say "I have nothing to hide, so I wouldn't mind being searched." Another topic he discussed was how the middle east views the US. 99% of them have never staying in an American home. All they know of Americans are from tv shows like "Desparate Housewives." The media and the stuff on tv...is all they see of America -- they think we are sick. Another point: the difference between moderate muslims and radical muslims is that radical muslims follow all of the Koran. The Koran commands violence.....so the terrorists are the most loyal to Islam. It's not a peaceful religion -- like the American media describes. Another point: the US is the only country where you can actually say what you want. Saddam got more than 99% of the vote....because everyone was so afraid of speaking what they truely wanted.

Went to another session by a guy that works for an organization called E.R.A.C.E. that D.C. talk started actually. Pretty cool...talked about how racism is still alive in America. very interesting