September 11, marked not only the worst attack ever on US soil, but also the beginning of two controversies. First is the United State’s global “War on Terror” as it was called by the Bush administration. Next, being the undeniable increase of discrimination in the United States towards those from (and those perceived to be from) the Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South-Asian American communities. To make things worse, these two issues directly clash with one another:
To combat terrorism, US military and intelligence agencies desperately need to hire the same Americans that feel discriminated against by the government and people of the US!
Eight years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, and unfortunately discrimination towards Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South-Asian American’s continue. Today’s Detroit News Article (Link to Article) closely documents discrimination that Detroit area Sikh’s feel not only from their fellow Americans, but also from law enforcement, and other officials. As discrimination towards these groups continue, feelings of distrust towards the government increase amongst these communities, at the very time the US Government needs them most.
This problem the US government faces isn’t one with an easy answer. And, the need for linguists and cultural specialists isn’t one that is going to go away any time soon. What government agencies must continue to do (or begin to do) is engage sources that ethnic communities in the US know and trust. This means working with community leaders, organizations, and media outlets not just to recruit Americans with the language skills they need, but to develop trust and understanding between government agencies in the Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South-Asian American communities.
Written By Jameson Strotman, Allied Media Corp
Contact: jameson@allied-media.com
