Xenophobia or Legitimate Fears of Middle Easterners?

Xenophobia is defined in Webster's as "fear or hatred of foreigners."

In this post-9/11 era, public fears have been stoked in response to real and imagined threats. When planes pummeled the World Trade Center, the Middle Eastern pilots commandeered the US out of its sheltered existence and into the real world of risk, violence and insecurity.

The USA Patriot Act codified fear of Middle Easterners into federal law. People anxiously glance over their shoulders in airports and train stations at dark-skinned foreigners. Americans of Middle Eastern origin find their lives scrutinized because of the color of their skin and the rhythm of their accent.

When is fear justified, and when is it irrational? When does legitimate anger transform into burning hate? And when does caution turn into racial and cultural discrimination?

I don't have the answers. None of us does. But it's time we all pondered the fairness and constitutionality of US treatment of its Middle Eastern citizens and residents.

Syndicated columnist Rob Ashgar has written a thoughtful, touching essay about the impact of xenophobia on one young and accomplished Pakistani family in the US....a family that happens to be his brother, sister-in-law and niece. Take the time to read his words.

You can find Rob's intriguing blog, Dime Store Guru, here.