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>For those of us who remain in the United States: I think it's a sad state of affairs when "embracing opportunities" that result from horrendous discrimination

>For those of us who remain in the United States: I think it's a sad state of affairs when "embracing opportunities" that result from horrendous discrimination in Texas means associating with a country best known for one of the worst genocides in recent memory Yeah I'm sure the only option was to move to Oman. Come on, this is one of many opportunities offered and they decided to go to Oman. You're aware this kid just got his picture with al-Bashir - a man facing ICC charges for genocide in Darfur. I hope this kid's family has his best interests at heart.

akiselev 11y ago
If you had spent most of your life integrating with Western culture, only to have your very identity targeted and put into the [inter]national spotlight, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if your first reaction was to go to the polar opposite (in this case, other nations whose government and population are heavily influenced by Islam). We're not even talking about basic discrimination but a situation where the victim was put on a stage many years before he could be prepared for it, if such a thing is even possible for an unwilling participant. Imagine the horror his parents went through when their child was subject to such an ordeal and it's hard to blame them for throwing their hands up and saying "fuck western nations", especially given the response of many European nations to the Syrian refugee crisis and the mass migration of Muslims to the EU overy recent decades. My comment was rather flippant because in reality he can have a much better life in poorer parts of the world where he is in the overwhelming majority (and educated) instead of in a nation where he is overwhelmingly a minority. Regardless, going from the United States, a country built on the idea of a cultural melting pot, to Qatar or Sudan makes me very sad.
- thieving_magpie 11y ago
  Yeah, they probably did say "fuck western nations". Right after visiting the White House and the leader of the nation (and going to the Google science fair and meeting Sergey Brin). Right after that they decided "fuck the west".
  - akiselev 11y ago
    Are you blaming them for not rejecting opportunities to meet some of the most powerful and influential people in the world to spite them for what happened in Texas?
    - thieving_magpie 11y ago
      No. I'm pointing out that it doesn't seem very likely that they have a "fuck the west" attitude if they're still cool with meeting the President of the United States and visiting the White house.

akiselev 11y ago

If you had spent most of your life integrating with Western culture, only to have your very identity targeted and put into the [inter]national spotlight, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if your first reaction was to go to the polar opposite (in this case, other nations whose government and population are heavily influenced by Islam). We're not even talking about basic discrimination but a situation where the victim was put on a stage many years before he could be prepared for it, if such a thing is even possible for an unwilling participant. Imagine the horror his parents went through when their child was subject to such an ordeal and it's hard to blame them for throwing their hands up and saying "fuck western nations", especially given the response of many European nations to the Syrian refugee crisis and the mass migration of Muslims to the EU overy recent decades. My comment was rather flippant because in reality he can have a much better life in poorer parts of the world where he is in the overwhelming majority (and educated) instead of in a nation where he is overwhelmingly a minority. Regardless, going from the United States, a country built on the idea of a cultural melting pot, to Qatar or Sudan makes me very sad.

thieving_magpie 11y ago
Yeah, they probably did say "fuck western nations". Right after visiting the White House and the leader of the nation (and going to the Google science fair and meeting Sergey Brin). Right after that they decided "fuck the west".
- akiselev 11y ago
  Are you blaming them for not rejecting opportunities to meet some of the most powerful and influential people in the world to spite them for what happened in Texas?
  - thieving_magpie 11y ago
    No. I'm pointing out that it doesn't seem very likely that they have a "fuck the west" attitude if they're still cool with meeting the President of the United States and visiting the White house.