When Freedom Fails to Ring ~ Writing Wednesday


When Freedom Fails to Ring
G’day everyone,

I’m a selective hypocrite. Before September 11, 2001, I could say I wasn’t. That unforgettable day, I allowed the Muslim stereotype rot my perception . I crammed all Muslims into a category called “terrorists.”

In the west, we are force fed stories and opinions that support a war-against-terrorism agenda. Anyone wearing a turban or other traditional Arabian garb is to be feared.

My family and I have lived in other countries, traveled extensively in Central America and Asia. Yet, I wasn’t even the slightest bit interested in opening a news story about a writer being likely murdered. My rationale? His name sounded Arabic. Guilty as charged.

Oddly, back in college, two of my roommates were pilots in the Saudi Air Force. They were studying normal subjects at the university I attended. No big deal. Tareq was a helluva nice guy. 

I forgot all that, and the global citizenry I touted, just because some control-freaks attacked us.

At the moment of my epiphany yesterday, I clicked on the news article, the final essay by Jamal Khashoggi.

I didn’t know this man from Adam, and I was skeptical that I would do anything more than skim his essay.

Holy crap, was I ever humbled. Mr. Khashoggi is an articulate, enlightened, and well-respected journalist. 

What did I know? Who am I to judge this guy? I kept reading this, his final, column. Within it, he spotlights the freedom-crushing tactics of tyrannical rulers of several countries. I couldn’t believe it, as my stereotype had all Muslims being radical theocrats. Mr. Khashoggi spoke of the oppressed — those very sentiments, freedoms, and beliefs that we in the West hold so dear. And yet, we turn a blind eye to a large part of the world where people just like us are being murdered and jailed because they want freedoms — of speech, religion, choices in government, and the list goes on.

By the time I finished reading Mr. Khashoggi’s essay, I wanted to crawl into a hole of shame. 

Please read Mr. Khashoggi’s essay (see link below). Doing so will honor the spirit of the man that just wanted his people to be free. Sound familiar?

I won’t make promises, but as of this moment forward, I intend on treating everyone as I want to be treated — with compassion and kindness. It’s the very least I can do to respect a man who gave his life for true freedom.


Have you been jaded by a stereotype? Please describe your instance or epiphany in the comments section below. How have you helped repair damage caused by a stereotype? I’d really appreciate your honesty.

Have a nice day.

~R.J.

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