Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

I am a subscriber to Dooce.com, and I enjoy reading the sarcasm and humour that Heather often writes on a daily basis. However, today she took me by surprise with her racist comments towards a traditional scarf that is worn by Arab men, mostly Palestinians. She posted today in her photo gallery the scarf that her friend wore and described it as a form of “terrosit apparel” and a symbol of Jihad. She obviously didn’t bother to understand what Jihad meant before she posted that. Media brainwashed? You think?

Anyways, when I saw that, my typical Arabian uncontrollable temper and blood started to boil!

I decided not to email her and publicly address the issue, because she abused her internet celebrity power as of today. I doubt she would have replied anyways.

It is funny, because the other day I bought a scarf from this stand, and as I was browsing the collection, I saw many Arabian scarfs being sold. I was a bit surprised, but then I realized that this year’s big fad in clothing is plaid. Maybe she is not into fashion, or knows much about the latest trends. I don’t know how it is down there in Utah and how closed it is from the rest of the world, but ignorance shouldn’t be spread on the internet!

Also, I don’t care if she keeps complaining about Mormons and whatever brain washed idea she grew up with. I lived in Tennessee too for most of my teenage years, and I know how it is down there. However, what puzzles me is the fact that for weeks she supported Obama and talked about the racist problems in America, especially in the deep South, and yet, she wrote that today. So does the fight against racism and change is only towards blacks? I don’t get it.

What saddens me is that her blog is read by many many many people a day, and she is making a living off her blog, and now, she is spreading racist remarks. I am deeply disappointed. Please, bloggers, if you are reaching an internet celebrity power, and making a living off your site, do not go to that route. It is enough that I quit reading blogs such as Problogger and John Chow because of their arrogance and repetitive posts that don’t help anyone but their selfish demeanor in making money.

Although I complained enough, I still like Dooce’s blog, but I wish she stops this racism, and use her internet celebrity power to entertain us like she always did, and not spread hate!

Note: some people pointed out that she was making fun of Dunken’ Donut’s commercial, but the majority like me doubted that was the main intention!

Now this is an Arabian tradition that I think is absurd. Why do “women” judge “girls” by their coffee? I talked in some distant past post that I am not going to dig up right now about the superficial looks, etc, that women judge girls with, but coffee? Not only that, it isn’t Arabian coffee! Oh no! It is TURKISH coffee!

I am Palestinian. So the traditions of belad el-sham or the Levant is not the same as the rest of the Arab world. Plus we were too influenced by Turkish occupation. So, in my area, serving Turkish coffee is one of the most important things. I think more important sometimes than having morals.

Let’s say a “mother” is coming to see a potential “wife” for her “gorgeous” son, and one of the complimentary servings out of respect is coffee. Well, the potential “wife” is the one that makes the coffee and serves it. If you don’t know much about Turkish coffee, it is grinded to the extreme, or at Starbucks, they call it espresso, and you are better off with one shot of espresso, because Turkish coffee is like 10 shots! Anyways, so, the girl serves it and …

Judgment 1: The “mother” stares at the way the “girl” serves it.
Judgment 2: Takes a sip of the coffee, and tastes if it is too watery or not.
Judgment 3: While sipping the coffee notices if it is sweet, bitter, or medium, and if the girl followed the correct instructions. (Assuming she asked everyone how they want their coffee)
Judgment 4: Was the coffee spectacular? Is she the best potential bride for her son?

What do I think?

I don’t think too much. I think this is the STUPIDEST TRADITION and I demand that my generation ABOLISH it!

Why am I mad?

I am not. I just find it stupid.

Do I drink Turkish coffee?

Last time I drank Turkish coffee when I was 3 years old. I remember because my dad made coffee for him and mom, and my mom suddenly had to go somewhere, so he was left with lots of coffee. Guess who his new coffee partner was? Yah. Obviously I was stupid at 3 years old, but I do have a habit since then to always try new things, and then make the final judgment. The result? Spit it all over the ground!

Yes, I hate it!

I do not like Turkish coffee. I never made Turkish coffee in my life! I do not know how, and I don’t care! Don’t even think of serving it to me, I hate it! I find people who constantly drink it, like my parents, always have this after smell of coffee. Their tongues are always darkish yellow from it, and their teeth turn yellow. However, I am an avid drinker of American coffee, but I don’t taste the coffee with all the cream and sugar I put in it. I don’t like the taste of coffee at all! I just drink it to stay awake.

Why not Arabian coffee?

I am Bedouin. I mean I look like one, and I wish I was one and lived in the desert and had no idea what technology was. Look at my eyes? Would it have looked like that in a desert? NO! I love Arabian coffee! I find the spices and the after effects of it A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Arabian coffee is yellow and filled with spices. However, once you drink 2 or 3 cups, you feel sedated! Talk about drugs, now this is a legal drug! Why don’t we serve it instead of Turkish coffee?

Hmm, the talk of coffee is making me crave a cup or two.