Throughout the essay "I'm Not The Enemy" American Muslim, and staff reporter
for Worth magazine, Reshma Memon Yaqub describes how her life has changed
significantly since the war on terrorism began on September 11th 2001. In the essay
Reshma Memon Yaqub offers words of sorrow and sympathy for the many Americans
like herself who have been impacted in some way by the war. Knowing that Muslims are
seen as the "enemy" in the eyes of many Americans, she fears that her life as well as
the lives of her loved ones are in immediate danger. In the past American Muslims have
been falsely accused in acts of terrorism such as the bombings in Oklahoma City just
because of their race, religious beliefs, and also for the simple fact that Muslims are
from "that part of the world". As a result of these accusations many hate crimes have
been stowed upon many American Muslims. Reshma Memon Yaqubs largest fear is
that these hate crimes will also be stowed upon her family and herself. Reshma Memon
Yaqubs entire life had changed for her in only a matter of minutes. She can no longer
go a day without hearing hurtful words towards her religion and culture. Muslims are
constantly being discriminated on televison, on the streets, and even in schools. I think
the main reason why Reshma Memon Yaqub took the time to tell her heart breaking
story is so that Americans understand that she is not the enemy at hand, and that she
too feels immense pain and grief just as the rest of America does.
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