Bully-Free Future

Newly crowned Ms. USA-a reflection of divesity in the US

When was the last time you saw positive coverage of a person of Arabic decent portrayed in a positive light-let alone a woman of Arabic decent covered positively?  Scary to think about it, isn’t it?

Many Americans do harbor negative feelings about anyone-even Americans-with Arabic bloodlines.  We are bombarded with images of people from the Middle East  as machine gun toting or underware-bombing terrorists.  We are becoming conditioned to look askance at anyone whom we believe to be of Middle Eastern decent. 

And of course, when there is bias-bullying is sure to be there as well.

So what does Rima Fakih, the newly crowned Ms. USA have to do with stereotyping and bullying? 

Plenty.

Ms. Fakihi is likely the first American of Arabic descent (her parents immigrated from Lebanon when she was a baby)to win the coveted (by some) title of Ms. USA, and whether she likes it or not has the opportunity to dispell deeply-held stereotypes about Arab-Americans, immigrants and Muslims.

Yes, Ms. Fahih represents the proverbial triple crown of stereotyping and bias in our post-September 11th world.

I hope that she got her ‘tripping’ done at the pageant-she apparently tripped on the hem of her evening gown-and sets out to be a terrific role model for all-and helps us slowly dismantle the circles of bias, stereotyping and bullying that threatens us all.

Way to go, Rima!

With Respect,
Deb

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