Have you ever unfairly judged someone based on their identity or appearance? Have you ever experienced a negative incident and searched for someone or something to blame, only to realize that no one was responsible? Natural disasters cannot be blamed on anyone, but during these times, emotions can intensify and unjust blame may be placed on individuals who fit a certain profile. The combination of racism and Hurricane Katrina created an even larger problem for those affected.
This situation is caused by a lack of security. In the book Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, racism and racial profiling are explored as prominent themes, which also mirror the lived realities of those who encounter such discrimination regularly. Presently in America, racism and profiling have become more widespread due to the September 11th terrorist attack, ongoing Middle East conflict, and the prevailing stereotype associating individuals from that region with terrorism.
The significance of the Zeitoun narrative lies in its relevance to individuals who have not personally encountered racism or profiling. It illustrates how an individual who has consistently demonstrated positivity towards themselves, their loved ones, and their community can abruptly become a target of prejudice from others as a result of fear stemming from a distressing incident. Assessing someone’s character without understanding them is unjust, although it remains a prevalent behavior. Nonetheless, making accusations without any factual basis is even more reprehensible.
Zeitoun experienced accusations of criminal behavior, incarceration, and was perceived as a terrorist. He encountered discrimination instead of being recognized as a fellow American citizen. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region as a category four hurricane, resulting in extensive devastation and the complete destruction of New Orleans, Louisiana. This devastating occurrence subjected Zeitoun to racial prejudice. Despite his Muslim faith, he shared commonalities with others except for cultural differences.
Zeitoun experienced multiple forms of victimization as a result of the catastrophic hurricane Katrina. Not only was he adversely affected by corruption, racism, racial profiling, and media distortion, but he also endured the unjust detainment orchestrated by the authorities. Society itself shares responsibility for his plight, as the government’s mishandling of the hurricane crisis exacerbated the situation. Their failure to ensure proper evacuation measures and absence of authorized law enforcement personnel led to chaos. Instead, individuals dressed as civilians donning bulletproof vests and wielding guns assumed the role of military guards. Consequently, there was a severe lack of order. In the novel, Abdulrahman Zeitoun depicted a Muslim individual who immigrated to America and settled in New Orleans, eventually becoming part of the American working class. Despite achieving success by owning his own business, having an American spouse and children, enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, and making money – the epitome of the American dream – he experienced an abrupt change in how he was perceived after Hurricane Katrina struck. Even though he had previously sensed a different treatment due to his background, he now discovered that some individuals viewed him as responsible for the damage caused by the hurricane.
The significance of Abdulrahman Zeitoun’s story lies in its portrayal of two contrasting viewpoints. Firstly, it depicts Zeitoun as a modest and diligent individual who possesses a profound affection for America and its citizens. However, alongside this positive image, there exists a more sinister perspective rooted in racism. Certain individuals unjustly judge and stereotype Zeitoun solely based on his physical appearance as a Middle-Eastern man, potentially identifying him as a terrorist harboring animosity towards the United States. A CBS News poll revealed that 51% of Americans endorse racial profiling and deem it permissible.
No, it is not acceptable to be racist and discriminate against someone. This is especially true when the racism targets something that a person cannot control. Even if racism arises from personal difficulties, it still remains morally incorrect. Understanding the tale of Abdulrahman Zeitoun could change people’s perspective on profiling individuals they are unfamiliar with. Zeitoun, who is a Muslim man, lived in New Orleans with his family. When Hurricane Katrina struck, his family left for a safer place while Zeitoun decided to stay behind and safeguard their home because of the hard work he had put into building it.
Zeitoun wanted to protect his house at all costs. Despite the devastation and destruction of New Orleans, Abdulrahman Zeitoun’s wife urged him to leave and find safety. However, being the person he is, Zeitoun chose to stay and offer any assistance he could. He navigated through the flooded city, providing help to those in need. After helping everyone he could in town, Zeitoun finally made the decision to leave his house and evacuate the city after the hurricane.
Zeitoun was confronted by National guardsmen and transported to an improvised military base where he was subjected to mistreatment, including being handcuffed and pushed around. During the journey, the guardsmen discriminated against Zeitoun, assuming he was a member of Al-Qaeda because of his Middle Eastern background. Upon arrival at the Union passenger station, which doubled as a jail, Zeitoun was identified as a victim of racism, unbeknownst to him. He endured strip and rectal searches, endured racial slurs, and faced poor treatment. However, despite these experiences, Zeitoun attempted to perceive the situation as mandatory protocol rather than racial discrimination.
Zeitoun found himself at a place called “Camp Greyhound”, where he encountered racism along with others who were different. This discrimination was not limited to the guards but extended to everyone outside of the prison walls. To illustrate, when Zeitoun sought medical assistance for his infected foot and approached an individual dressed in green hospital scrub pants and wearing a stethoscope, he requested aid. Shockingly, the man replied, “I am not a doctor.” Thus, Zeitoun fell victim to racial profiling.
Zeitoun was unjustly labeled as a terrorist and treated accordingly. The hurricane had caused distress among the people at Camp Greyhound, leading them to unfairly target Zeitoun for their anger. America has unfortunately developed a habit of associating tragic events like the September 11th attacks with the Muslim culture. Consequently, Muslims are often blamed even when they have no involvement in the current situation, as it is easier to find someone to blame based on past experiences.
In his Letter From Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. argued that employing nonviolent direct action, such as consistently questioning and analyzing situations, would create tension and eventually lead to finding solutions.
Despite experiencing mistreatment, Zeitoun refrained from responding violently towards those who harmed him. He believed that by remaining patient and persistently seeking answers from his captors, he would ultimately find safety and relief.
People living in hurricane-affected areas faced a variety of stressors including the loss of loved ones, the risk of death, property damage, difficulties in obtaining basic necessities, and exposure to post-storm violence.
Prior research has established a significant link between the severity of trauma resulting from disasters and the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Alan M. Zaslavsky).
During times of disasters like hurricanes where attributing blame becomes difficult due to extensive devastation, emotions run high and individuals indeed search for someone to hold responsible.
When emotions are running high and people are looking for someone to blame, memories of a previous traumatic event can resurface, even if it didn’t personally affect them. The tragic events of September 11th resulted in an unfair connection between terrorism and the Muslim culture. Likewise, when Hurricane Katrina hit and caused trauma to those affected by it, they looked for someone to hold responsible. When guardsmen came across Abdulrahman Zeitoun during their anger, they wrongly accused him even though they knew he had no involvement in the hurricane.
The impacts of Hurricane Katrina varied for individuals, encompassing the loss of homes, property, loved ones, pets, and more. Yet, these hardships do not equal the profound effects caused by racism on those affected by a natural disaster. Each person has their own coping mechanisms when faced with trauma – they may cry, stay silent, speak about it, or even laugh. Additionally, individuals may endure physiological challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The National Collaboration Centre for Mental Health states that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop from traumatic events and disasters, leading individuals to become hostile as they struggle to overcome their personal issues. Traumatic experiences, like hurricane disasters, provoke defense mechanisms in people’s minds as a means of blocking out or managing the ordeal they have gone through. Coping with traumatic experiences often involves racism, as individuals seek something or someone to hold responsible in order to express their anger or fear.
Although individuals who experience natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is important to acknowledge that this does not excuse their behavior. Similarly, those in the military also face a potential risk of developing PTSD. When these two factors intersect, the impact on a person can be significant and potentially explain the troubling actions of the guardsmen.
In relation to Hurricane Katrina, Adams, Glenn, Laurie T. O’Brien, and Jessica C. Nelson propose that resistance to allegations of racism could be linked to a threat against American identity. The guardsmen responsible for mistreating Zeitoun may have been aware of this truth but deliberately chose to disregard it and act according to their own desires.
According to Carl F. Weems’ research findings, trauma and stress resulting from natural disasters frequently lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consequently, individuals affected by the traumatic hurricane may not only display racist tendencies but also directly experience PTSD as a consequence. This concept becomes apparent among National guardsmen who might have been exposed to combat situations.
During hurricane Katrina, individuals such as Zeitoun were unfairly treated and denied their basic necessities due to being labeled as Al-Qaeda members and terrorists. This unjust treatment, which included withholding food, medical care, and communication, was a result of racist beliefs and social profiling. Despite having proper identification on him, Zeitoun’s rights were still violated. It is crucial to recognize that this mistreatment stemmed from unfounded mistrust and generalizations about his background rather than factual knowledge. Even in the face of such devastating circumstances after the hurricane, it is essential to uphold everyone’s entitlement to their rights.
Following Hurricane Katrina, individuals had different experiences, with some seeing positive outcomes and others facing worsened circumstances. Amidst this, certain people looked for ways to solve the problem while others sought to assign blame. The combination of racism and the hurricane made an already dire situation even worse for the victims. Racism is a powerful and damaging force that can lead to loss of life, and it continues to happen daily. Sharing Zeitoun’s narrative is crucial as it offers important lessons for future generations.
Works Cited
Adams, Glenn, Laurie T. O’Brien, and Jessica C. Nelson. “Perceptions Of Racism In Hurricane Katrina: A Liberation Psychology Analysis. ” Analyses Of Social Issues & Public Policy 6. 1 (2006): 215-235. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.
Alan M. Zaslavsky, et al. “Recovery From PTSD Following Hurricane Katrina. ” Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269) 28. 6 (2011): 439-446. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.
Brodie, Mollyann, et al. “Experiences of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston shelters: implications for future planning. ” Journal Information 96. 8 (2006).
Carl F. Weems, et al. Sleep Fears, Sleep Disturbance, And PTSD Symptoms In Minority Youth Exposed To Hurricane Katrina. ” Journal Of Traumatic Stress 24. 5 (2011): 575-580. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.
Eggers, Dave. Zeitoun. New York: Vintage, 2010. Print.
“Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr. ]. ” Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr. ]. N. p., 16 Apr. 1963. Web. 28 Nov. 2012.
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