When the tragic events of 9/11 unfolded, I recall the eerie silence that enveloped the days and weeks that followed. The nation was in shock, grappling with the magnitude of loss. While the devastation affected everyone deeply, as a Muslim-American, I faced an additional, insidious consequence that simmered beneath the surface.
That fateful morning, everything changed. A veil of distrust, blame, and fear settled over our society. For the first time in my life, at 31, I found myself on the receiving end of hostile glares, simply because of my appearance and the color of my skin, which many unjustly associated with the attackers. It was a bewildering experience. Just like my fellow Americans, I mourned the loss of life, feeling a mix of sadness, confusion, and despair. It took a long time for those feelings to ebb, allowing life to return to a semblance of normalcy.
Fast forward to today. The election has been an emotional rollercoaster for me, filled with hope when I supported my candidate, Sarah, to feeling disheartened when she didn’t secure the nomination. The campaign unearthed a disturbing level of hatred and prejudice that I didn’t think still existed in our society. The blatant racism, ethnocentrism, and the worst kinds of sexism reared their ugly heads, exposing the challenges we still face.
As a single mom, a progressive Muslim, and a member of a minority community, I write this knowing that I am about to confront an uncertain future for both myself and my children. I have felt the tremors of anxiety with every derogatory remark that has emerged from the campaign. Sending my kids to school has become a source of worry, as I fear they may encounter the very prejudices I have been trying to protect them from. My business has been affected as well, as I rely on my reputation to maintain my clientele. Perhaps most painfully, I’ve witnessed a breakdown in communication among my social media friends, with divisions becoming starkly clear.
In just a short time, I, along with many others who feel unheard, will discover what lies ahead for us. I have never felt such fear for the future of my family and community. So when I express my support for “her,” I do so because I believe that Sarah is the best choice for my family, our future, and indeed, for all of us.
This piece was originally published on November 7, 2016.
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In summary, the emotional aftermath of 9/11 marked a pivotal change in my life as a Muslim-American, and the current political climate continues to evoke feelings of uncertainty for my future and my children.