There is a restaurant called The Embassy located near a Target
retail store. To name a restaurant associated with tragedy with the Boston
tragedy so near in time puzzles me. My first reaction as an American was that
to name the restaurant The Embassy after what happened in Benghazi is complete
arrogance, disrespect, or incredible ignorance depending on when it was built.
I was insulted when I saw the name of that restaurant, but I
reasoned perhaps the Lansing, East Lansing area is a high police stop area, and
middle easterners might feel the same as other ethnic groups – targeted while
driving. Therefore they named the restaurant in light of complaints in their
community as a haven for humiliated souls, or maybe it was just a business
decision that had nothing to do with the atmosphere, thinking an international name in a high business district across from
the Lansing, Mall would attract patrons?
Everyone including ethnic
communities appreciate the variety of ethnic food around town, and visit
ethnic, and white establishments. You can always count on the quality of El
Azteco, and Famous Taco, especially the salsa, and Chimichangas. You have to try
a Chimichanga topped with guacamole at both, and compare. Then there’s the
Greek Pizza at Bells, modern fare at Applebees, Youbuywefry fish places are
favorites with the one on MLK, and the new one on Kalamazoo. World Buffett near
the Lansing Mall has as excellent variety of dishes including a chef stir fry. Then if you just
want a hunk of meat – go to the Meat Company in Old Town. Then there’s always
the International Red Lobster by the bay in Frandor. Then again you can always
take a journey to any other sensations in the area. It’s your choice to go with the flow,
or stay away.
I’ve known a few Arabs in my lifetime, mostly superficially.
I even kissed one 30 years ago. He was one of the cutest guys I’d ever seen at
that time. He had dark skin, and he thought something was wrong with him once he came to America to go to school, before returning to his homeland after
graduation, because of the way he was treated, compared to his lighter skinned friends. It’s sad when someone as attractive as a Michael Jackson thinks they
have to change their skin tone to be accepted by the majority. America is a
melting pot, and many middle easterners have had American children in the
last 30 years. Maybe ongoing love, and future love will open hearts to protect
the freedoms we have each, and every day.
One of my acquaintances married a middle eastern guy and had children.
Another guy I met was a corporate executive in Michigan choosing to stay in
this country, and one day he said, you know what they call me, with watery eyes,
and I said what, sensing mild alarm. “They call me a “Sand N.” I thought wow,
what a waste of words, and attitude in a land of 6 syllables – Chrysanthemum –
It’s a paradox the ethnic has to live with weathering the initial shock of the common insult, that's usually unexpected, and ruins your day. Then learning to live with it in order to still feel happy in ones world.
Arabs as all other ethnic groups have some cross to bear, that is the pink
elephant in the room once something negative has been said. Hurtful words, or deeds stay with you on either side, whether, or not its frequent, or rare. You simply continue to function, going the extra mile working twice as hard
to be perceived as equal in the hope you might be promoted someday, and
overcome the bias that exists through reason when your goal is acceptance.
The foreign students who come to MSU are usually trained in
their country of origin through their k12 system. Once here it's easy to find American study
partners anxious to share knowledge, or anxious to compete intellectually. We are the givers. We all exchange
music, and many of us reach out in friendship to all we encounter. Many middle eastern ethnic families in this area are three to
four generations, because many of the students that came in the 70’s and 80’s or before must have thought anywhere along 94 was a good place to stay, and build a family, because
Michigan is one of the greenest agricultural states of beauty.
The Embassy restaurant probably won’t ever change their name to show solidarity with America, but if they did, it
would show they’re more caring than offensive in their income stream with
people who allowed them to open a business as any other American even though it was an odd name selection in
a turbulent time.
Hummus is a popular dip that many enjoy, for its health benefits.
The fabric of America is a mosaic welcoming all, to do business free of
oppression. Can we share our cultures without being cynical, only time will
tell.
A veil of golden strings is beautiful, yet inhibiting. God
loves us all more in a moment than anyone could in a lifetime, if you keep his
law, and love your fellowman to live long, and prosper in your faith.
2014 Copyright Zimation Arts & Letters Ink
