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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
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- Mahmoud's Essay
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- DEAR AMERICA
- Dear America,
Like it or not I was never interested in joining the U.S. Armed Forces until
July 1984. I was fresh out of College, and while responding to a job ad in
the newspaper, I ended up talking to a military recruiter. I was asked if I
was a U.S. citizen, to which my answer was yes. Then I was asked if I was
born here to which I said no, then I revealed my place of birth; Lebanon. I
was immediately informed that I couldn't enlist. I was totally shocked for
being rejected, and felt I couldn't be trusted because of my ethnicity. At
that time I was an active member of the Arab American Anti-Discrimination
Committee in my city.
I called my Congressman’s office soon after that and demanded an
explanation and an apology. Within one hour, I got both. I was able to
enlist in another branch of the service. I just wanted to make the point
that Arab America is like any other ethnic group, to which they can be as
loyal and trustworthy to our country as any other ethnic group.
I spent my first nine years in the Air Force Reserve. I volunteered for
numerous missions worldwide in support of our active duty bases. My Unit
Commander was very impressed by the feedback he received regarding my Job
performance. And his own words, I was considered as a reliable and valuable
asset to the Air Force during the time of need. After that I spent another
nine years in the Ohio Air National Guard. During that service I was
activated twice in support of Southern Ohio flood relief operation back in
the mid 1990s. During my 18 year career serving the country I love, I
encountered few cases of incidents relating to stereotype and harassment by
few individuals. My superior dealt with it harshly and swiftly. I was also
asked on numerous occasions to speak to the troops in my unit about the
Middle East conflict and the U.S. policy therein.
Before I came to America, I was a Palestinian refugee, without a Country to
call my own, and without a passport to travel with except for a refugee
travel decumbent. In Germany, I was a foreigner for seven years. My first
two months there I was deported twice back to Lebanon. I was living
illegally there for the first year. After I came to America my life was
totally changed for the better. And for that I am very happy and greatful.
“Now I am free”, and am treated with dignity and respect. The Old Glory
was the first flag I saluted and the last flag I will ever salute.
Dear America, I am an Arab American, but a Proud American just like you.
Like anybody else, I don't always agree with our government policies, but
don't be quick to judge me and call me names. I am your next door neighbor,
and my kids play and go to school with yours. You See, my name might be
different, and my accent might not sound like yours, so please, don't treat
me any different, because I will act differently. Acting differently makes
me feel uncomfortable. Believe you me, I will always remember my mother's
advice: "Never spit into the plate from which you eat from".
On that dreadful day, September 11th, my duffel bag was already packed, and
I was waiting to answer the call of duty. Why was I ready, you see, I also
want a better and a safer America just like you. When it comes to patriotism
and loyalty, I am red, white and blue just like you!
Sincerely,
Mahmoud El-Yousseph
TSgt
Ohio Air national guard
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