A Multi-layered Story

This week’s STORY focuses on love, loss, community, intolerance and maybe tolerance. I know it’s a bit longer than most of the stories we’ll read this semester, but it’s worth it. Multiple layers exist here and I’m wondering which part stood out to you the most? Let me know.

12 responses to “A Multi-layered Story”

  1. Heejung Moon says:

    First of all, I would have to say I definitely enjoyed reading this article. It made me sad, worried, and afraid, but it also inspired me with so many stories. As a foreigner, whenever I’m in a class or group of friends who are talking about Muslims and hatred towards them, related to 9/11 and other historical facts, I try so hard to watch my words or just stay silent. It is because I feel like I would never be able to understand both Americans and Muslims in a way that themselves do and others who are more closely related do. However, this does not mean that I am not interested in the issue. In this new article, the part where they talked about white guy becoming Muslim stood out the most to me. It was intriguing to hear how he became Muslim and how he was the best role model for Muslim children. Article says “He’s still the privileged white man on the outside, but on the inside he’s become a part of a minority much reviled by many in his circles.” It also talks about how he always close his blinds when he preys in his office. Despite all these, he chose to follow his beliefs. I feel like there is a need for more people like Wilson to become a bridge for those who are against Muslims and Muslims. It could be more effective in many different context. Additionally, community work is required to really make each group understand the others and embrace them.

  2. Jonathan MacMartin says:

    Wow what a terrible thing to happen to that family. I cannot believe the gunman is not being charged for committing a hate crime. He had clearly made it known that he hated them because of their religion. One of the women even said she did not feel safe around him. You may be angry that someone took your parking spot but that usually does not result in murder. This man clearly had a hatred building in him for quite some time. It will be interesting to see if he receives the death penalty or not.
    The safe house that Farris Barakat built was a great thing to come out of all of this. It’s a good example of something wonderful coming out of something terrible. The Light House looks like a nice place for kids to feel safe and have a good time. Building The Lighthouse and helping kids really struck me as a good way for Farris to cope with his brother’s death. I hope he continues to find peace in helping others.

  3. Kazmarae Tyson says:

    I definitely enjoyed reading this article because I consider myself a “woke” person and these stories do not get addressed enough. This was very sad and in knowing the gunman is not being charged for this hateful crime is even more saddening. The man clearly had a bias and hatred towards them because of them being Muslim. I also really enjoyed The Light House story and could not even imagine the pain his brother, Farris is going through and wish he finds peace and comfort in continuing to help others and himself.

  4. Hali Nichols says:

    The part of the story that stood out to me the most was that 40% of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Islamic religion. As a whole, our country seems to be very ignorant when it comes to Islam. We can’t seem to separate Muslims from terrorist, even though statically there are more Christian terrorists. This was such a heart wrenching story and a reminder of the importance to educate yourself. Most of the hatred comes from being uneducated. With today’s technology it is so easy to educate your self on Islam or any other topic you are unsure of. If people better understood Islam they would know that it is a religion based on peace, and this family is a perfect example of the goodness of Islam.

  5. Trish Sorenson says:

    This definitely was a multi-layered story that uncovered multiple stories. I have to agree with the Hali’s comment above, that the part of the story that stood out to me was that 40% of Americans disapprove of the Islamic religion. Many people just look at the few bad apples that are portrayed by the media. They hear about all these crazy stories and think that every Middle Eastern individual acts this way. It is not fair to judge a religion or person based on this information. For example, look at WWII with the Nazi’s and the Jewish religion. The propaganda shaped people’s viewpoints on the religion when it had nothing to do with things. Thus, it saddens me that this individual is not being charged with a hate crime, when there was obvious bias. Once again, our criminal justice system has failed us.

  6. Rachel Ellis says:

    This article was definitely interesting and I enjoyed reading it. This was sad to know that this happened and that the killer is not going to be charged. I think a lot of things like this happens especially with minorities. It was shocking to me that 40% of Americans do not have a good view on the Islamic religion was a very high number and I did not expect that. I think it is sad that our world is built on hatred of others who are different. I agree with Hali that it is so easy to educate yourself but many people do not take the time to actually become more familiar.

  7. Gina Gorman says:

    As heartbreaking as this story is, all the hard work Farris is doing in his brother’s, sister-in-law’s, and her sister’s memories, is uplifting. One part that stood out to me is also the most morbid and it is that on his way out the door, the gunman shot Deah in the mouth after he was already dead. Was this just coincidence or did he know that he was a dental student? The white dude stood out to me the most though. I give him a lot of credit for converting to Islam at such a tumultuous time in our country. I enjoyed reading about all the good things Farris is doing for the Muslim kids in his community in honor of the three winners. The wake of tragedy tends to bring out the good in people and this story is no exception.

  8. Gracie Blechl says:

    The part of the article that stood out to me the most is the new term Islamophobia. It makes me immensely disappointing that enough Americans have a fear of Muslims that there was a need to create a new term to describe it. How much awareness that Farris and Layla bring to remember the lives of Deah, Yusor and Razan is enlightening. There efforts can be seen as foreshadowing to the campaigning to come of those who speak out against the rising hate crime possibilities against the Muslim population in the United States. I do like how the article was written from a personal story standpoint with raw emotions that captured what the remaining family had to go through because of this tragedy. It helps that it wasn’t just another news story that’s just facts and I think it could be eye opening for those that take the time to read it and digest it.

  9. Kaleigh Cleaveland says:

    Reading this story makes me think about how horrible it had to be for the family to endure the pain of losing someone, especially to something as trivializing as a victim of a presumed hate crime. It was surprising to read that even after Craig made it apparent that he was against their religion (through primarily showing them his gun), the family still chose to stay silent. As a white female, I find it hard to be able to put myself into the shoes of someone from a minority group who is looked down upon by the majority because of who knows what – hatred for Islam in this instance. It is eye-opening to see how serious this issue can be and how it affects individuals of certain races.

  10. Cherish Haynes says:

    I agree this was a long article, but this was more than worth reading. As I reading this my body started to build anxiety because these were three great people who gave when they could and were trying to make a better life for themselves. In this walk of life you just dont know people motives and their intentions. The part that stood out to me the most was that after the man Craig made his comments about different religions or his hate against Muslims. They should of immediately involved the authority and he kept walking around with a gun, they should of seen all the red flags. Also another thing that stood out to me was the word Islamophobia, which I have never heard before. I always know that Muslims have their own community and that there are lots of hate crime towards those who are Muslim for whatever reason. I think that everybody should be accepted for who they are or whoever they want to be, as long as they are not harming others in the process. Its very disturbing that someone like Craig who was studying to be in the criminal justice field would do something like this over a parking space. This also bring awareness as well to people who work in the criminal justice field and their motives or intentions with the community.

  11. Zachary Jahnke says:

    I thought this article was quite interesting and definitely worth reading. It was a very tragic story to read, I thought it was unfair that he didn’t get charged for a hate crime when he clearly hated their religion and their beliefs. I think the coolest part of the story was them coming up with the idea of the lighthouse that way individuals can go there to be heard who normally don’t speak much in public. It was also away for Ferris to cope with loosing his brother and not have it eat him alive in the inside. This article is also an eye opener for people who are not minorities of how life can be so different of the way individuals treat you or the way they perceive you without getting to know you. Overall I thought this was a great article to read and was really worth my time.

  12. Maddie Vavrik says:

    I think the part that stood out to me the most was titled “Anxiety”. Although this was a long article with a lot of interesting pieces to it, I think that part stood out to me the most because you could really feel how much they were struggling, not just with the death, but how difficult it made everyday activities. It’s so sad to see how much the death of Death affected so many Muslims and how the anxiety that they had felt post 9/11 had began to come back. I think a more specific point in this section is when it is discussed that some girls make their decision around the age of 15 whether to cover their head or not, and just with everything that has been going on I’m sure this decision is hindered even more. I just can’t imagine feeling that much backlash and being scared of everything you do. I’m sure it was a tough situation getting married after such a tragedy, I would feel scared too, but in them choosing to pursue their wedding just shows the rest of the world that they will not let such hate get to them and they will stand up for what they believe in.

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