| Home | Stereotypes and Propaganda My wife and I just got back from a trip to New York City. We had always heard that New Yorkers were cold and standoffish. We found the opposite was true. When ever we seemed to be having trouble doing something almost always someone stepped forward and offered to help. For instance when we were unable to get our Metro Pass to work in the subway a young man stepped up and ran it through the slot for us. I supposed he just wanted to hurry us along so he could get through, but he got on another train. I dropped my billfold on the bus and a fellow jumped off and handed it to me.Ê We frequently had to ask directions and people walked a half block or so to show us the right direction. Of course my wife and I are a cute old couple but we have never gotten treated so well in San Francisco. People just went out of their way to be nice in New York. One of my friends who travels a lot said New Yorkers have changed since 9/11. If this were true wouldnÕt it be nice if people could change their attitudes without some catastrophe happening? On the other side of the coin propaganda has manipulated so many people that the average person thinks that most Muslims are evil enemies. I have come in contact with a number of Muslims and found them to be just like everyone else. I would imagine that the 2 million who live here just as anxious to live the good life that America offers as anyone else. It was the Muslim vote that pushed Bush over the top in FloridaÕs 2000 election. I doubt if Bush will get many of their votes in 2004. My wifeÕs mother used to ask the question, ÒWhy canÕt people just be nice?Ó |