By On Thursday night, 18-year-old Yasmin Seweid was on her way back from an event at Baruch and was on an uptown No. 6 platform at the 23rd St. and Park Ave. stop at about 10 P.M. when three drunk white men started harassing her. As she boarded the train, three men started chanting “Trump!” and said “Oh look, a (expletive) terrorist,” Seweid recounts. During the train ride, the three men yelled “Get the hell out of the country! You don’t belong here.” Onlookers stood by as Seweid was harassed on the subway car. According to Seweid, they did nothing.
When Seweid tried to ignore the three men, they pulled on her bag until the strap broke. Seweid responded by telling them to leave her alone, but the men kept laughing. When she walked to the other end of the cart, the men followed her and tried to pull off her hijab until she put her hand on top of her head to hold it down. Despite this, no one came to her aid. Seweid finally got off at 42nd street and reported the incident to the police.
We must dispel the myth that hate crimes are largely and only present in rural and non-diverse areas. We have to acknowledge the that such hate crimes can occur even in the most diverse areas.
More than 500,000 New York residents since 2014 identify themselves as Muslim in New York City, according to NYC Religion. Despite the large population and acceptance of Muslims in NYC, there has been an increase in hate crimes since the election, with 34 attacks from Nov. 8-27 compared to only 13 last year, according to Daily News.
We must dispel the myth that hate crimes are largely and only present in rural and non-diverse areas. We have to acknowledge the that such hate crimes can occur even in the most diverse areas. Not only will this help raise awareness of Islamophobia, but also hold us more accountable, especially as bystanders, to protect individuals who are constantly faced with prejudice on a daily basis.
Please do not judge all whites or trump supporters by these ignorant men. I am a white middle aged woman, and I would have come to your defense. It is because our country has become so insensitive to things like this that no one acts. I know that fear plays a part of anything on a subway. But we are not all that way. I would stand up for you because we are all children of what ever being we call God. Pray for me as I will pray for you . And pray for our country to have an enlightening. Be safe my friend.
This is an outrage! A scandal!
Your “dear” Prophet was a wealthy warlord who murdered innocent people and kept sex slaves. His “preachings” are nothing more but plagiarism from the Bible and Old Testament that he used to solidify his political power.
Islam is the worst thing to ever happen to humanity. It is backwards, violent, sexist, and brainwashes people to commit some of the worst crimes known to humanity. Your “Prophet” is the incarnation of a greedy, pleasure-seeking, violent and sexist devil.
You people do not belong in Western society, go back to the hell that encompasses your own countries and ask your Mohammed to support you there.
Emily you’re clearly brain washed and uneducated. Next you’re going to say American indian did not exist before white Americans! Dumb Ass