NYT: How Al Gore Lifted One Muslim Girl's Spirits

[liberalpragmatist]

I was curious if this has been seen on DU (I'm sure it has, but I didn't see so I thought I'd bring it up for those who haven't read it).

Read if if you haven't. It's a nice piece.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/23/opinion/23abdrabboh.html?th&emc=th

Veiled Praise

By FATINA ABDRABBOH
Published: June 23, 2005

Cambridge, Mass.

I CONSIDER my appearance quite unremarkable. I'm 5 feet 8 inches, 150 pounds, fresh-faced and comfortably trendy - hardly, in my view, a look that should draw stares. Still, the Muslim headscarf, or hijab, that I wear makes me feel as if I am under a microscope.

<snip>

The other day, though, I felt more self-conscious than usual. Every television in the gym highlighted some aspect of America's conflict with the Muslim world: the war in Iraq, allegations that American soldiers had desecrated the Koran, prisoner abuse at Guantánamo Bay, President Bush urging support of the Patriot Act. The stares just intensified my alienation as an Arab Muslim in what is supposed to be my country. I was not sure if the blood rushing to my head was caused by the elliptical trainer or by the news coverage.

Frustrated and angry, I moved to another part of the gym. I got on a treadmill and started running as hard as I could. As sweat dripped down my face, I reached for my towel, accidentally dropping my keys in the process. It was a small thing, I know, but as they slid down the rolling belt and fell to the carpet, my faith in the United States seemed to fall with them. I did not care to pick them up. I wanted to keep running.

Suddenly a man, out of breath, but still smiling and friendly, tapped me on my shoulder and said, "Ma'am, here are your keys." It was Al Gore, former vice president of the United States. Mr. Gore had gotten off his machine behind me, picked up my keys, handed them to me and then resumed his workout.

It was nothing more than a kind gesture, but at that moment Mr. Gore's act represented all that I yearned for - acceptance and acknowledgment.

[Divernan]

1. Class will tell!

Good post - thanks

[billbuckhead]

2. Sadly, America really didn't deserve Al Gore

In America's history there never has been a starker choice between two paths.

[Samantha]

3. A big WOW

What a story. That's my president. Al Gore epitomizes so much that we the little people want our president to be -- a man (or woman) that respects everyone, and generates respect in return. It's just a simple thing, but then it is the simple things in politics as in life that count.

Thanks for sharing this story.

[roguevalley]

4. Lovely. Bless her and bless our President. ;)

[Goldeneye]

5. Best feel good post of the day.

It's nice to hear about Gore once in awhile. He'd be in his second term about now...who knows how things could've been.