MEBlog3

Blog 3: Our discussion with Ezra and DB By: Molly Puglese

Start: 8:29

Ezra: 21, from a small kingdom. Practices Muslim, senior in college, manages website. Goes to Franklin College.

DB: Egypt, Christian, student, has own website, goes to a university in Chicago. [I wonder if he has other friends form his country at college with him in chicago]

Criticisms from website: (Ezra) lots of criticism. Been hacked 7 times. More arabs than Jews causing Jews to hack. Critscism from muslims. Muslims don't accept the other religions. called 'infidel." Says it was scary at first but nows she's getting used to it and doesn't mind it as much. [She must be a really strong person. I respect her for everything she does]

Is there a lot of racism?: (Ezra) Turks are most racist. Do not want to join website unless you kick other religions out. Don't appreciate other religions. Her family is against the website. Wants her to take it down. But she believes in the principals she promotes. (DB) Israel is more against religion than race.

Do you think alot of racism has been imbedded in middle east culture?: (Ezra) Thinks it has always been there. A big rise of nationalism. After creation of Israel, Arab states felt like they were not ligitement and had to prove there birth to us and hte entire world. (DB) Misconseption in the united states. Racism is mostly in the middle east.

If you could live in the United staets would you?: (Ezra) Doesn't think she would like to because of all the opportunities she has in her our country. After college she would like to stay at home. She has never been there, would like to go but doesn't think she would like living there. (DB) Likes chicago, does not experience racism.

Is your country as materialistic as ours?: (Ezra) steriotype that everyone in the gulf is rich. Saudiarabians are extremly materialistic. As a result of globalization there are people coming from all otver the world and advertising. Work for 8-20 years of not being paid. (DB) in general, materialism is a biproduct of aspects. Very crowded in Egypt. Most poeple live right next tot the mile. [I wonder if they like living so close. That river is so famous, I wonder if they take care of it and appreciate it]

What are your views as americans?: (Ezra) A lot of different perspectives. People at private schols dress like americans and try to have american accents. People at college are overly american. Small villages are very against americans. If they get a astomach ache they say its because of the Americans. A lot of young people are running campaigns against america. Can distinguish between american government and people. A lot of news stories turn images around and say that everyone is against us but really they are not. This bothers her. (DB) Attitudes are possitive. [I keep wondering if lots of people in the middle east speak english.]

What role does media play in your culture?: (Ezra) Has a huge effect. Arabs always like to have a feel of togetherness. Media knows what they want to hear. Put images of prisoners of war in the magazines and say this is your america, thinking that people will like that. Mother was anti-american until a year ago. (DB) Media focusses these issues onto the people.

What is your opinion o nthe war in Iraq?: (Ezra) Hard to answer because she is not there. Only has the media to depend on like us. Feels like it is getting worse though, more people are dying from disease and other things. Extremists present in Iraq is also making it worse.

How can we help middle easterners build a better understanding of america?: (Ezra) Get to know us and our struggles. Most people over look them. They speak out for people like us to hear them. Stay in touch. With out us their work is not posible or appreciated. People are risking their lives to get involved in the website. Be proud of our freedom of speech because they dont have it. Becuase they don't have the freedom to protmote things we should because we have it, we can help promote. (DB) Anytime there is a dialouge between two sides there is always a progress.

[This was such a cool experience. I loved talking to them, it was so interesting. I wish we could do it all the time with people everywhere.]

Finish: 9:09