........................... Oct. 05 - Oct. 18, 2001            OTHER ISSUES ....................      GUESTBOOK .........................

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'Hallowed Ground' SCC Students and Staff Respond To Terrorist Attacks
.	September 11, 2001. Until its arrival, merely a date on the calendar. Now and forevermore, a story unto itself. On this fateful morning, terrorists attacked America, using hundreds of civilians to kill thousands more.       While President Bush and his advisors strategize on next steps, differing opinions resound throughout the nation and around the world. War, peace, diplomacy, or perhaps a mixture of all three are espoused and discussed everywhere. Within hours of the attack, Middle Eastern-born Americans quickly came forward to condemn the terrorists' actions. As Muslims, Arab American or not, steeled themselves in anticipation of verbal and physical attacks, they expressed sympathy for the victims.       As the world's attention focuses on Osama Bin Laden, the Taliban, mysterious terrorist cells, and strife in the Middle East, Shoreline Community College begins its fall quarter. SCC's student population once again immerses itself in academia, but in a different world than just a few months ago.       Life's newfound sobriety and tension are reflected in every form of mass media. The scrutiny of Gary Condit's personal life has virtually disappeared, replaced by coverage and discussion of America's role as a global community member and how it should respond to this catastrophic event. Economic experts exhort Americans to spend their money to help the economy. Even the entertainment industry is struggling to help Americans laugh and ease their pain, while simultaneously showing respect for those who have died.       Shoreline's campus population is slightly lower than originally anticipated. Many students from the Middle East are staying in their homelands at the behest of worried family members. Abdulrahman Baker, President of SCC's Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA), says his parents want him to return to Saudi Arabia. He assures them, "I'm okay."       Baker tells the Ebbtide he feels a great deal of support from the Shoreline community, but other Arabic parents are worried about safety in the community and on campus. They are unsure of instructors' reactions to their children's presence in class. Recent attacks on Seattle-area mosques have also heightened fears.       Baker has reassured his peers and their families he feels completely supported in the community, especially on campus. Two letters, one an open letter to the student body from Shoreline's President, Dr. Holly Moore, and another from the members of student government to all international students, encourage people of all backgrounds to return to their curriculum. The letters emphasize a policy of nonviolence and zero tolerance for harassment. Baker says those letters are helpful and comforting.       To date, Baker has watched at least 16 of his friends leave the country, several of them Shoreline students. Of those remaining, some are experiencing occasional harassment during the commute to and from school, although none report difficulties on campus. According to Baker, one student of unknown background has offered carpooling assistance to help them feel safer. Asked if a large-scale carpooling effort were under way, he responds that he hasn't heard of one. He suggests that anyone interested in carpooling may wish to leave a name and phone number at the Multicultural Center (in the PUB).       Baker says he loves SCC, adding, "The people feel like one family and care about each other." He is encouraging his friends, "Stay. Don't panic." Baker has received some menacing phone calls, but asserts, "Words are just sentences. I know what I'm made of." He adds, "I'm in my third year at Shoreline, and people know me. I'm easy-going."       He has not been physically abused, but a friend who works at a gas station was recently threatened. A customer approached the counter, pointed his finger as though it were a gun, and said, "I'm gonna shoot you."       Baker wants everyone to know the pain stemming from the attack is a shared one. "We live here," he says. "We're human beings and have feelings. We were hurt, too."       Asked what non-Arab, non-Islamic citizens can do to help, Baker says verbal support is especially comforting. Friends tell him, "We're going to be okay." He appreciates those who wish to understand his culture. Baker believes reading about it and discussing it on a regular basis would benefit everyone. He encourages an open mind to more than politics and economics, but to really understand the culture.       Baker is open to restarting MESA this quarter, even though membership is lower than normal. Interested students from all backgrounds are welcome. (Contact information can be found in the SCC Student Guide.)       Arezu is another Shoreline student returning to campus this quarter. Originally from Iran, she is an American citizen who says this is a good country, and she shares concerns with all Americans. Arezu is determined to continue her daily routine, even though she is worried about America's safety.       So far no one has taunted or physically assaulted her family and friends, and the letters from Moore and the student government have been effective. She also notes a dramatic increase in friendly hellos on campus, and it "feels wonderful." When asked what her fellow Americans could do to help the people of her culture, Arezu says, "Wanting to help is helping."       Before moving to the United States, Arezu taught math and geography in Iran. Upon taking her citizenship oath, she promised her loyalty to the United States and remains steadfast in her duty. Eager to help in any way she can, she is donating blood and contemplating a nursing career. Arezu has no desire to permanently return to her birth country.       Her father will conclude a two-month visit next week when he departs for Iran. Before the attack, he raved about American people and their kind, polite attitude toward him, and he continues to do so. Arezu says her father is deeply saddened by the attack, but he is not encouraging her to leave the United States.       Staff and faculty at SCC are also discussing the attack and its effects. During a meeting on Friday, September 28, members shared their feelings and thoughts about recent events and maintaining a supportive atmosphere as the college moves forward. Topics ranged from global to community to individual. Specific concerns include a safe environment for dialogue, stressing a respectful exchange of ideas. There was a general consensus about a need for open discussion, understanding, and healing on campus.       Paul Rucker, Director of International Programs at SCC, says the Middle Eastern student population is lower this year, but the college is taking steps to ensure students' well-being and comfort. He agrees that while safety concerns are an issue and many Middle Eastern students are aware of some public suspicion, people are anxious to openly discuss problems. Rucker wants to see an environment which fosters "active discussion of differences and similarities, in the spirit of progress for all." He adds, "College campuses are hallowed ground for healthy debate."
by Cindy Valleley

Fear and Concern Stem From Attack
.	Afifi Durr, owner of Arabic Language & Translation Services in Shoreline, has been a United States citizen for more than 35 years. Shortly after the terrorists attacked America, Durr began receiving threatening phone calls. During a visit to the television talk show Northwest Afternoon, however, she said for every angry communication, there were ten supportive calls and e-mail messages.       Durr was with the American University of Beirut when the Lebanon Civil War began. Two years later, she moved to Iran, witnessed the revolution, and returned to the United States. America was her "safe haven," a place that now feels less secure.       She sees her role as "a communicator who wants to build bridges of peace, communication, and understanding among cultures." On Saturday, September 22, she opened a forum for concerned people from many backgrounds. Americans originally from Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon met with those born in the United States to talk.       When she opened the discussion, Durr made it clear that the group's mission is not to "solve all the problems of the world." Rather, her mission in starting the group was to focus on helping one another cope. At the first meeting, each person had an opportunity to speak. Many voiced outrage against the attacks. Members shared feelings of bewilderment, sadness, and fear. Questions arose: "How do we cope?" "What should we do?"       Abdallah, a native of Lebanon, said, "This is a crime against humanity." He observed that the country is unified by tragedy, adding we must find out what "these hate-filled people are talking about."       Raja, originally from Jordan, asked, "How do we prove our loyalty to the United States? This [attack] does not represent our society."       Fred, a young student of Asian and Scottish descent, stated we "must have grassroots dialogues." He believes in addition to discussion, immediate action is needed to help our neighbors. He and Durr intend to organize a system to make themselves available to escort Arab Americans who fear leaving their homes. In this way, Fred and his associates hope to assist people in their everyday lives while emotions have time to cool.       Many voiced objection to media terminology, saying the terrorists are called "Muslims," not "extremists." Several expressed discomfiture at being placed in the same category as the attackers. Harold, a United Nations advisor, suggested contacting news broadcasters if they appear biased or in danger of inflaming feelings of fear and hate.       Jamie, a political science expert, also warned of possible behavior reminiscent of World War II, referring to the government's internment of Japanese Americans in prison camps.       Several people discussed recent attacks on Seattle-area mosques. Fred cited an attack on a Northgate mosque, but added that clergy of multiple faiths arrived on the scene to offer support, including Catholic, Christian, and Jewish.       In response to the question, "Why would people kill themselves in terrorist acts?" Huda, a Palestinian American, offered an analogy. She talked about her 12 years in the Middle East, first in the Gaza Strip, then Israel and Palestine. She then related her observations of Palestinians' frustration with the Israeli government.       One example involved occasional policies to prevent Palestinians from working for periods of time. According to Huda, Palestinians generally view America as pro-Israel and indifferent to the Palestinians' situation, and this can lead to desperate acts. She concluded this is why some people are willing to strap on bombs to kill themselves and others, adding, "We need to determine how to change America's effect on the world. They are frustrated and fed up."       Helen, a Jewish American, described spending much of her youth, including two years in Jerusalem, "trying to save the world." She suggested each individual must start with themselves. She views the world as "one crystal together. Polish your own point - the heart."       As though to assist Helen by illustrating her point, a bird became trapped inside the house, banging against the windows to escape. Helen slowly approached the frightened creature, gently cupped it in her hands, and released it in the garden. "That's the way to do it, Helen," said one person. "Save the world, one bird at a time."       Note: The Middle East - U.S. Dialogue takes place every two weeks, moderated by Afifi Durr and hosted by Kay Bullitt. For more information, please contact Afifi@nwlink.com or kaybullitt@msn.com.
by Cindy Valleley

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