The University of Illinois is one of the most diverse universities in the country. Students, staff and faculty come from all different walks of life and although inclusion and diversity are often praised here, some students are still discriminated against.
Freshman Amrit Singh is from the West Coast, the Bay Area to be exact, and he has always grown up in an inclusive environment. One reason he decided to leave the West Coast and Embrace the Midwest was because of the diversity of Illinois’ campus. But on his first official visit he questioned whether it would be a good fit for him.
Singh was harassed and called a terrorist by white people on the Quad. They thought he was Muslim but is actually Sikh. The two religions are totally different, but either way, the way he was treated was unwarranted.
On the other hand, Eldar Uzicanin is a Caucasian male. You can’t see what religion he practies until he goes to pray. As a Muslim he prays five times a day and it could be anywhere from a classroom to the quad.
He remembers a time when he was unfairly ridiculed for praying in the union. The person approached him during his time of worship and questioned if he was a “real” Muslim because he didn’t “look” like one. Well contrary to his harasser’s beliefs, Muslims don’t have a certain look. Islam is not a race. Just like Christianity isn’t a race.
Both Singh and Uzicanin said that those experiences had a negative impact on them. It made them question the world around them, but it did make them question who they are. They believe that the only way to prevent these sorts of acts from happening is for more education. The more we know. The more we can accept others.
Freshman Amrit Singh is from the West Coast, the Bay Area to be exact, and he has always grown up in an inclusive environment. One reason he decided to leave the West Coast and Embrace the Midwest was because of the diversity of Illinois’ campus. But on his first official visit he questioned whether it would be a good fit for him.
Singh was harassed and called a terrorist by white people on the Quad. They thought he was Muslim but is actually Sikh. The two religions are totally different, but either way, the way he was treated was unwarranted.
On the other hand, Eldar Uzicanin is a Caucasian male. You can’t see what religion he practies until he goes to pray. As a Muslim he prays five times a day and it could be anywhere from a classroom to the quad.
He remembers a time when he was unfairly ridiculed for praying in the union. The person approached him during his time of worship and questioned if he was a “real” Muslim because he didn’t “look” like one. Well contrary to his harasser’s beliefs, Muslims don’t have a certain look. Islam is not a race. Just like Christianity isn’t a race.
Both Singh and Uzicanin said that those experiences had a negative impact on them. It made them question the world around them, but it did make them question who they are. They believe that the only way to prevent these sorts of acts from happening is for more education. The more we know. The more we can accept others.