My father, Esam Alnajjar, moved to the United States from Jordan in the ‘90s, excited at the prospect of helping people as a doctor. He did not expect the stares and slurs he would encounter daily. Prejudice was not uncommon for most Arabs who wanted their shot at a life in the U.S. Even Arab Americans were not spared from the discrimination from bigots despite being born in the U.S.

Shortly after 9/11, anyone of Middle Eastern descent found themselves caught in the crosshairs. People automatically assumed each one of them belonged to a terrorist organization. Anti-Arab hate crimes grew so high in numbers that the Department of Justice had to prioritize prosecuting them.

I can only recall one brief period when the hate lulled, and life felt almost normal. Now, that time is gone due to the conflict between Israel and Palestine that began on Oct. 7, 2023. Now, the prejudice is fiercer than ever and, if left unchecked, will threaten the diversity that this country prides itself on.

Almost everyone is familiar with the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. Although the invasion of Gaza and the West Bank began over a year ago, the conflict continues

to escalate. Now, the tensions overseas have spread to the U.S. In Vermont, three American university students received gunshot wounds for speaking a mixture of Arabic and English while wearing keffiyehs, a traditional Palestinian headwrap. Two of them are U.S. citizens, and the third is a legal immigrant. Two of the students recovered, but the third may never be able to walk again.

“If the same kids did not wear the keffiyeh or did not speak Arabic, do you think they would be shot?” Fuad Al-Amoody, vice president of the Islamic Society of Vermont, said.

In Illinois, a U.S. citizen stabbed a six-year-old Arab-American boy to death. Not even children are safe from hate.

It is not just the violent crimes that hurt Arabs — words have equal, if not more, power. People of Middle Eastern descent not only have to worry about attacks on their lives but on their character as well.

Randy Fine, a state representative in Florida, is one of the biggest offenders for his hate speech. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish- American activist, died in the occupied West Bank during a demonstration against the illegal settlements. Randy Fine’s response to her death was celebratory rather than mournful.

“Throw rocks, get shot. One less #MuslimTerrorist. #FireAway,” Fine said on social media.

The Arab population at ULM is almost non-existent. You could probably count on one hand how many of us attend this university. The lack of representation does feel isolating, but what’s more concerning is the hostility that happens so often.

Most of the hate is from public figures. People in power feel comfortable overtly spreading
hate against us because they will face no consequences. If they can dehumanize us without punishment, what else can they get away with? “You should hide your head in a

bag,” John Kennedy, a Louisiana senator, said during a committee hearing with Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute.

The whole hearing transpired because Berry advocated for Palestinian rights. Throughout
the event, Kennedy continuously asked her if she supported HAMAS or Hezbollah. Berry responded to his questions, showing her disappointment. I would, too, if I heard the thunderous applause that followed each of Kennedy’s racist remarks or questions.

I grew up in Louisiana in the aftermath of 9/11. Throughout my life, I have heard every terrorist
‘joke’ that adults and children could conjure up. I can still recall when my middle school math teacher asked me if I was sad because Osama bin Laden died. When I switched to high schools, I had to tell people my name was “Will” because my mom feared for my safety.

As a young adult in university trying to get a degree, I cannot help but notice how similar times are now to back then. One day, a fellow student asked me about my ethnicity. When I told them I was ethnically Palestinian, they said that my family and I did not deserve to live in the U.S.

It is impossible to get rid of bigotry; I know that. However, we can get very close. Join one of the hundreds of organizations that combat discrimination. If that is too complicated, then the other solution is simple: be kind.