It is one thing to get f***** and to accept it as something that happens in life and there will be times when all are on the losing in of situations and another thing for someone to get f***** and for them to like it and sit back and grin ( as most do).Part of my initial attraction to Islam, and the Islamic teachings that sustained me as a young Muslim, was the fact that we were taught that the Muslim does not fear any man or any government and does not fear death and only has fear for Allah.
As my teacher Sheikh Abdul-Rahman used to say ” your worship who you fear” and if you fear someone you give them reverence. Or when Zaid Shakir related the “refuse the robber hadith” to us back in the day it gave us a new energy, that I still carry till this day as unlike many other cab drivers I do not fear being robbed, because insha’Allah I will “refuse the robber” and there can be no bad outcome as the one who dies defending what is his is a shahid or as Tupac said ‘I would rather die as a man than live like a coward”. .
These teachings helped brothers like me have no fear to walk the streets of America in a thobe and wearing a big beard and have no fear in other types of situations whether it be prison or a violent confrontation because once you have conquered fear there is really nothing your enemies can do with you and we see this in Iraq today where the most powerful army in the world can defeat everything through their technology but the fear of the Muslims who do not fear death and only fear Allah and that is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal; our lack of fear if we have faith.
This situation presented itself the other day when I was pulled over in a traffic stop in St. Louis. The cop got out laughing at pulling me over and I was supposed to laugh with him I guess even as he was picking my pocket on a needless ticket that he did not have to give me. I guess he feels he is in a situation where he can f*** people and they have to take it, and laugh at his corny jokes,and even like it; but I just told him “man, you didn’t have to pull me over, and I ain’t your friend so I don’t wanna hear any of your stupid jokes” which is my prerogative. This led him to go into some kind of tirade and I started to drive off and then he put his hand in my car and said he could have shot me for attempting to assault him with my vehicle which is the same bullshit excuse the NYPD used to shoot the unarmed Sean Bell 50 times and police in St. Louis County used to shoot two unarmed men on the Jack n’ The Box Lot on Hanley and 70 a few years back.
As he looked at me with a look that I guess he thought intimidated me he said ” don’t make us have to take you behind one of these buildings and leave you there” ( for the street language challenged readers this means taking me behind a building and killing me) and I just looked at him and said ” I am a Muslim I love death more than you love life man so if you take me behind that building it could be either one of us who stays there” meaning if he thinks I am just going to lay down and let him shoot me without a fight he is crazy. I do not believe in playing the role of the victim so we can be cute for liberals to fawn over, I believe in following the sunnah and defending our dignity as humans and not letting people run all over us.
Of course these teachings are out of date to many who see courage as being masculine, and by definition evil as all things masculine are evil to them, and many see cowardice as a virtue. This is not just non-Muslims, as you remember we had Muslim leaders who encouraged Muslims to be scared after 9-11 and even told sisters to remove their hijabs, and they came from a culture where the masculine is evil, and fear is normal, so why not bring that into Islam? For me, I followed those who told as to be “strangers” even when it will not make you friends.
I though of this last night as I passed the old City Hospital just south of downtown St. Louis. This used to be a place that catered to the needs of the poor, and mostly white, on the south side, while the black hospital Homer G. Phillips catered to black people on the North Side. Both were closed a long time ago at which point they opened Regional Hospital which was centrally located and was supposed to care for everyone and then it closed.
Today, with the projects on one side, and the upscale Lafayette Square and Soulard neighborhoods on the other side, the old City Hospital, which used to care for those with no insurance and the working poor, has been turned into a condo building for upscale and mostly secular globos seeking an urban lifestyle, while the poor of St. Louis no longer have anywhere to go after getting sick serving the new so-called “hipsters”.
36 responses so far ↓
Dua // July 17, 2007 at 7:43 pm |
May Allah Help us to stand up for what we believe in against the face of oppression.
And May Allah keep Br. Umar firm on the guidance of Islam.
http://www.dua4me.com/story.php?title=The_Courage_of_a_Muslim_%AB_Umar_Lee
Say Ameen and click the above link.
Ahmad Karachwi // July 17, 2007 at 9:00 pm |
I love you for Allah’s sake
Sabir // July 17, 2007 at 9:02 pm |
Umar, I honestly don’t mean any disrespect by this, but all of these comments about how you’re a tough guy from the streets, putting people in their place, etc. make you come off as somewhat insecure. I’ve met people who have the background, experience, and physical stature to be very tough and intimidating but don’t feel the need to be as in-your-face about it as you apparently do. I agree with the substance of most of your views, but the tough-guy rhetoric gets a bit tiresome.
As the Geto Boyz so eloquently put it, “Real gangsta @$$ n****z don’t flex n**s, cuz real gangsta @$$ n****z know they got ‘em.”
a.m. // July 17, 2007 at 9:41 pm |
I would have to agree with Sabir. I generally agree with a lot of what you have to say but I find the majority of this post to be somewhat ridiculous IMHO your posts tend convey the idea that you have major insecurity issues and feelings of inferiority towards anyone with money, anyone who is upwardly mobile, and anyone who technically has a position of authority over you. God forbid someone has actually had a nondysfunctional upbringing with parents who believe in the value of education and using your brain rather going around using your fists and potty mouth on everyone like a “manly” thug.
This post actually kind of amused in some ways. You said you don’t believe in playing the role of the victim yet half of your post was dedicated to how you were the victim of the big bad cop and got “f*****”. Despite the fact that you were the one stupid enough to break the law in front of the cop in the first place. Generally if you break the law you’re supposed to get punished. But instead of acting like a mature adult you acted like a whiny little school boy who didn’t get his way participating in some kind of d*** measuring contest when you were clearly in the wrong from the very beginning. And who knew that a cop giving someone a ticket when they broke the law is considered f***ing them. Get over it
Edd // July 17, 2007 at 10:38 pm |
Patience takes courage too. I respect what you did, but do not judge others who would have not acted the way you did. Not because they would have been scared, but because they would have thought it better and they can justify their action from the Sunna too ..
Aaminah // July 17, 2007 at 11:47 pm |
Asalaamu alaikum.
LOL, I can not believe ya’ll are ASSUMING that Umar was in the wrong when he was pulled over. Your whole argument is based on that he shouldn’t have broke the law or at least not in front of a cop, so how was the cop wrong and why is he acting all macho about it… but when I read it, I assumed that he was pulled over for something that was either not even illegal (i.e. just for the cop’s fun of it), or something that it is known does not cause most people to actually get pulled over for (i.e. minor illegality that is commonly allowed to pass). If you think that doesn’t happen, well you are living a very comfortable existence that some of us do not have the pleasure of.
Okay, so while I agree that the machismo here can be a bit much to take at times, I also really got this post. There is so much now where we are expected to just take it, to allow people to degrade us, to say and do whatever they want and we aren’t supposed to respond at all. I did a day in jail and 50 hrs community service plus fines because I fought back when a man attacked me in my own home. He wasn’t charged with anything, even though he had broken several laws in the process and was on probation, but I was charged for defending myself. As a Muslim, I think that is just insane. My imam wrote a letter in support of me for the court because he said nothing in Islam says we have to take abuse or should be afraid to stand up against oppressors. Even after that experience, now knowing that in my county self-defense is not even allowed to be used as a defense in court, I would have done the same thing.
Now, I don’t go picking a fight with people who yell at me on the street or talk smack in the grocery store (and yes, there’s alot of that), but if someone tried to touch me or actually got in my face (or as nearly happened when a man threatened to touch my son), you better believe they would be the ones that got hurt regardless of the law. Oops, now I’m being macho and insecure? No. I’m being real.
Patience is also a Sunnah, you are right Edd. And forebearance is important. And there is the right time and place and situation. And we should never be the aggressor. But that doesn’t mean that we just keep taking it either.
Whispering Soul // July 18, 2007 at 12:03 am |
Yes. you are right. All power belongs to Allah. When a Muslim fears only Allah , the rest of the universe can not frighten him. The prophet Abraham (PBUH ) is a good example here. He was thrown into fire. But what happened next ?
Another story of a brave Muslim is given below.
#########
http://qisas.com/stories/26
############
Not Afraid of Losing the Job
Qisas.com
When Mufti Muhammad Shafee’ (rahmatullahi alayh) came to Pakistan (from India), he was appointed as a member of the Islamic Education Board by the Government. This Board was one of the sections of the Government. Once the Government decided to take an action, which was contrary to Islamic Laws. Mufti Shafee’ was prompt to oppose it and explained that due to it’s being against the teachings of Islaam, it should not be adopted. His remarks, however, prompted a debate between the Government officers, many of whom began to criticise the respected Mufti for having said what he did, as he was a member of the Board and part of the Government.
Seeing this, Mufti Shafee’ bluntly addressed the gathering and said that he had agreed to become a Member of the Board only for the sake of Islaam, and therefore, it was his duty to object to what was unislamic, regardless of whether his objection was in agreement with the line of the Government or not. He clarified that he was not a Government servant and unlike them was not worried about losing his job. He said, “I have my resignation letter in my pocket and my expenses do not exceed a few rupees, so I am not dependent on salary and allowances like you. I can earn that much money by hard labour too, while you cannot because your suit alone costs two hundred rupees, so, you might fear losing your job.”
unaha-closp // July 18, 2007 at 12:14 am |
If the other guy has got power and likes to slug on a range might avoid standing in front of him, perhaps back pedal a bit and definitely move. Not as manly as going toe to toe, but then who gives a f*** as long as it’s a win.
Rodan // July 18, 2007 at 12:34 am |
Umar,
You’re full of crap.
There are plenty of Christians who’re not afraid of death!
You’re just a punk ass white boy!
If I was that cop I would’ve put a slug in you and say you’re a terrorist!
hijabisoverrated // July 18, 2007 at 4:37 am |
Can we just hug or something? lol
Serious a wise man knows when to hold em and when to fold em. As a man grows, gets married, has kids, and a career; then naturally other things take priority. I think my kids, husband and then me when faced with any issue. It’s not all the time about you.
Did the Prophet (PBUH) insist they roll up in Mecca anyway at their 1st attempt to make Hajj or did he sign the treaty? When he escaped Mecca for Medina did he lay in the bed and say F it I’m riding or dying up n this joint or did Ali (ra) take his place in the bed instead? When they almost caught him at the mountain and he was saved by the spider only because Allah SWT willed it. Did he step out and say: “I’m on top of the world, bring the pain PAGANS!!” or did he have a moment of reflect and asked Allah SWT to help him?
Wisdom in all things is what I’m saying. In the end it will NEVER make you a “Punk”.
Jade // July 18, 2007 at 5:34 am |
THis is actually a bit of a running theme with Umar and sad to say with a lot of Muslims.
Actually – to turn this argument on its head, this very feeling of fearing only Allah could be such a liberating thought so that Muslims of today could have been the vangaurds of the unconventional and actually shown some examples to the world. Instead this very thought has reduced them to little more than schoolyard bullies – ready and foaming at the mouth to take on any supposed insult while the real injustices carry on right under their noses.
And these very bullies will beat up weak folks they come across till someone bigger comes along and wipes the floor with them. Then they will probably whip out their killer tools and eventually will die…for what exactly??
This streak of Maschismo is really quite amusing for those on the outside but most Muslims end up venting their rage like sissy’s on their women and children. Is there any doubt that what is really f***** is the Muslim psyche?
Finally Umar here’s a thought.
While Gandhi could topple an empire without raising his voice much less his fist, I am willing to lay a small wager that Osama is not going to annointed Shaykh of America anytime soon.
DrM // July 18, 2007 at 9:45 am |
Actually Jade, Gandhi did not topple the British empire “by raising his voice.” Only ignorant and idealistic liberals believe that line. The Brits left because they were bankrupt after world war 2 and couldn’t control 450 million militant Indians. Go read a history book.
Your comment about Muslim men “venting their rage” on woman and children is nothing but flea bitten stereotype.
Samira // July 18, 2007 at 2:19 pm |
I’m with you Dr. M! People like Jade and Rodan need no excuse to unleash THEIR FURY against Muslims. I guess that wrestler Benoit and Scott Peterson are secretly Muslims, huh? Anyway…
I can understand your feelings Umar b/c almost every person can feel rage at injustice. My personal struggle has been about learning how to not personalize every attack or insult. I do believe in speaking up and in using self-defense but strategically.
Sabir // July 18, 2007 at 2:53 pm |
DrM,
I agree that Gandhi was not the sole cause of the end to British rule in India, but we’re kidding ourselves if we claim that oppression of women isn’t a problem in the Muslim World today, the ulterior motives of Western governments in highlighting these problems notwithstanding. Also, I agree with the premise of Jade’s argument: Islam emphasizes wisdom, not grandiose expressions of machismo under the guise of “courage”. The fact that today’s Muslims have a distorted perspective on this aspect of the sunnah is reflected in the simplistic rhetoric of extremists like Bin Laden, as well as the elaborate street marches that seem to occur on almost a daily basis in the Muslim World. Such actions stem from frustration and emotionalism, not courage and toughness, and have no long-term positive impact whatsoever. Our problem is not cowardice or passivity (no one can accuse a suicide bomber or jihadi extremist of being a coward), it’s that we lack wisdom in responding to crises.
sonia // July 18, 2007 at 3:18 pm |
Sabir makes really good points.
sonia // July 18, 2007 at 3:27 pm |
i do find it worrying that machismo is equated to standing up for yourself. standing up for yourself doesn’t need aggression necessarily – self-defense is a whole different ballgame – and patience is definitely a part of it, but most of it isn’t about how you act outwardly, its how you think inwardly.
i don’t think you need to be a Muslim to realise that either! Just a bit thoughtful
Abu Sinan // July 18, 2007 at 4:01 pm |
DrM has a point. Ghandi based his hungerstrikes on the tradition of hunger striking in Irish history.
In Ghandi’s case his hunger strike was based specifically on the case of Terence MacSwiney, the Lord Mayor of Cork, whom the British allowed to die.
If speaking out in such a manner was enough to force the Brits to do anything they would have left Ireland in the early 1900s, but more than a dozen dead hunger strikers since then and the Brits are still in Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_MacSwiney
Bang Gully // July 18, 2007 at 4:18 pm |
Wow, some of you people really missed the underlying theme of Brother Umar’s post. Why are people bringing up bin Laden and all this and calling bin Laden weak, please. bin Laden could have easily acted all peaceful and lived like the Saudi billionaire’s son that he is, but he chose to give it up and live humbly and fight against the Russians. I do not agree at all with suicide bombing or targeting the West and its people, but give the guy his due. That’s more than I can say for many of the leaders in the Muslim countries who don’t lift a finger to clean their house, but steal money from the poor all the same.
Anyway, you should only fear Allah (swt). That is important. Courage is not just expressed in physical combat however, for most people it is through mental and spiritual exertion. However, for us Muslims who live in the ghettoes or have grown up in that way, where people will take whatever you have by force, you have to know how to fight. In that situation, Brother Umar was within his rights to tell the cop a peace of his mind. Especially after the cop indirectly threatened to kill him. I can’t beleive more people on not on the brothers side. And please all this stream of consciousness babble about machismo, and beating up women, has nothing to do with the topic at hand. I think the media has done quite a job on the mentalities of Muslims to the point where we are insecure in asserting ourselves strongly for fear of being labelled an “Extremist” or a “terrorist.”
Umar Lee // July 18, 2007 at 5:04 pm |
Sabir and AM, I think you may be dealing with some issues in how you look at traditional non-metrosexual sodomities and the working-class that have been influenced not by Quran and Sunnah but by your buddies at the latte table and college. just my opinion and Allah knows best, because you might think that any brothers that dont sit around talking about knitting, Moby and his love of being p**** whipped has issues and is insecure and that is staright out of the secular humanist liberal ( un-Islamic) playbook, because that is just not reality and the same people who say people like me have issues will say anyone who thinks homosexuality is abnormal has issues and any Muslim who agress with tradtional marriage is a bigot.
I stated, he did not have to give me a ticket, it was a borderline call and could have went either way, and I doubt he had much mroe education than me so I do not know where that came from ( unless you are talking about those living in the hospital that used to care for the poor), but he decided to and was laughing at me, and I did not want to amuse him as people who are scared of cops do. Maybe you want to be an Abner Louima at the precinct getting f***** with a pole but I do not and I am not going to take it laughing nor am I going to follow imams who tell Muslims it is OK to be scared.
Umar Lee // July 18, 2007 at 5:09 pm |
One more thing, the point is Muslims should not have fear and if we do we should strive to remove it from our hearts, that is a matter of aqeedah, it protects as against evil, and liberates us. Are you saying that we should have fear and behave like the new men sipping latte and eating tofu who see being a p**** as amusing and normal? Or should we be people of courage? Or will that not go over well at a wine and chesse and chesse tasting?
a.m. // July 18, 2007 at 6:01 pm |
Ummm, i’m not muslim so nothing about the Quran/Sunnah influences me in the way I think about men. And your assuming that I went to university which I don’t really recall me stating. What is Latte and who is Moby. ANd why are you going on about homosexuals and sodomities. What does this post or any of these comments have to do with homosexuality? I’ve noticed that this happens everytime on your posts about men and masculinity. Anytime someone questions your faulty idea of what a man with courage is you start harping on homosexuality and tofu. Its really not my fault that you think you have to act like a little school yard bully with a big mouth anytime someone does something to offend your delicate and rather insecure sensibilities of what a “man” is. Wow, he was “laughing” and making jokes. What an insult. How outrageous. Everyone should be in a terrible mood every second of every day so that the delicate Umar doesn’t have a tantrum. As I said, get over it and grow up.
And I also don’t recall me saying that men, (and all people in general,) should act like wimps and not have courage. Nor should they act like immature thugs with excessive amounts of testosterone who apparently have no idea what it means to pick their battles (and apparently you consider this incident to be one of the “battles” that you just HAD to fight).
There should generally be a balance between the two, which you apparently haven’t figured out yet
And in answer to Bang Gully’s (or whoever it was that asked it) question I am personally not standing up for Umar’s actions because I feel that he was wrong. I agreed with his initial post and the end of it about showing courage and all that and think his example of imams telling women to remove their hijabs after 9/11 was a good one. But his personal example of what he thinks it means to show courage I just found to be completely ridiculous and don’t think his behavior in this instance is something to be praised. Just my opinion. And my apologies if I came across as very harsh in my comments to you Umar. I like a lot of your posts and I’m sure your a very nice person, but disagree greatly with you in your ideas about masculinity and what it means to be a courageous man worthy of praise
West African in Philly // July 18, 2007 at 6:30 pm |
Umar said: “Maybe you want to be an Abner Louima at the precinct getting f***** with a pole but I do not and I am not going to take it laughing nor am I going to follow imams who tell Muslims it is OK to be scared.”
Brother, it is ok to be scared. We are all created with fear in us and I don’t care what you say but everyone (yeah, even you Big Umar) gets scared at some point.
Fear is necessary for self-preservation.
Carlito // July 18, 2007 at 6:49 pm |
Ya Umar,
That joking and laughing is a tactic they use to get you to put your guard down and hopefully expose yourself.
I had a similar situation, I was pulled over at one of those police checkpoints. My registration was expired, I was in the wrong, so I didn’t say anything or nothing, I took. The state trooper was relatively young, and he was cool with it. There was idle chit-chat, we smiled. So then he smiles and says, is that weed I smell, you got some weed?
Man, I just looked him straight in the eye and squarely told him: “I’m Muslim, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke!”
He just replied with, oh, must be someone burning leaves or something, okay, have a nice day.
Abu Sinan // July 18, 2007 at 6:55 pm |
Everyone has fear, like you said, it is a self preservation thing. It is how you respond and act when it happens is what counts.
Sabir // July 18, 2007 at 8:01 pm |
Wow, I’m not sure why you felt the need to resort to ad-hominems and innuendo. Nevertheless, I’ll address your argument on its face.
This may surprise you, but I pretty much agree substantively with everything you just said. Passivity and pacifism are not from the sunnah, and I agree that the objective of many Western-influenced Islamic movements (such as the “progressive” movement) to conform Islam to liberal secular humanism is problematic and misguided. I agree that Muslims should fear only Allah. I think that homosexuality is an abomination against God (though I don’t think Muslim Americans should support anti-gay marriage initiatives in the US), I don’t think that patriarchy is inherently un-Islamic, and I don’t think jihad is only a spiritual struggle against the nafs. I think the Prophet (SAW) made strategic use of forceful conduct and harsh measures, and I think Muslims today should be entitled to do the same (the key word is strategic). My problem is with your adab and the overall tone of your writing, not with the substance of your arguments. Many of your posts contain remarks that seem aimed at reminding people that you’re a tough guy from the streets for no reason other than reminding them that you’re a tough guy from the streets (e.g. comments about putting people in their place, being able to “pull” attractive women if you wanted to, etc.). You also frequently make condescending generalizations about suburban immigrant Muslims (particularly Desis) by calling them weak or labeling them “yuppies”. Aside from being a form of reverse elitism, all of this smacks of insecurity. A real tough guy shouldn’t feel the need to constantly remind people he’s a tough guy or belittle others whom he perceives to be not as “tough” as him. The fact that you used terms like “sodomites”, “p**** whipped”, a bizarre Eminem-esque reference to Moby, and made assumptions about my beliefs in your reply to me only strengthens the perception that you’ve got a chip on your shoulder.
Also, I didn’t make any reference to the incident that you’ve related in this post because I wasn’t there and I take your word that the cop was acting like an @$$hole (particularly since I’ve also had bad experiences with undeserved traffic tickets and smug cops). My issue was with the tone of the post, the manner in which you related the incident, and how it fits with what seems to be a persistent theme in your writing.
Look, you’re clearly a smart guy and you make a lot of insightful observations; that’s why I read your blog. But like I mentioned above, the tough-guy rhetoric gets a bit tiresome and off-putting. You can make your point without constantly reminding people that you’re a tough guy or making generalizations about suburban immigrant Muslims.
And for the record, I don’t drink gourmet coffee and have never been to a wine and cheese tasting event.
Muse // July 18, 2007 at 8:11 pm |
I’ve got respect for you Umar, but I have to go with AM and Sabir on this one. I agree with the main point of what you’re saying, that Muslims need not be apologetic and afraid and should hold their heads up high etc etc. But the example which you used to make this point doesnt impress me in the least. If being rude to a cop is what passes for masculinity (and your initial “tough guy” comment to him did seem to come out of nowhere, from what you tell us), then thats just sad.
As a Muslim woman, I dont want to be married to a sissy (and I’m not), but I also wouldnt want to be married to a man who thinks he’s being “manly” when really he’s being foolish. There’s nothing attractive about either of those options, and I’m sorry to say you fell in the latter category in this context.
wanda // July 18, 2007 at 9:16 pm |
wow umar! i have to say you are braver than I am. I wouldn’t have joked around on the cop, but I know I wouldn’t have set him straight like you did.
And about the hospitals. I live in St. Louis too, near the almost defunct Regional Hospital (i don’t know what they call it now). My mother was born in Homer G. Phillips. As a life long city resident I have to say I totally agree with you about the “globo yuppies” or whatever you call them coming into the city. Many of our buildings, homes and vacant lots stood empty and trashed for years and years. Now that the city wants new residents downtown and are extending the Loop (near my street), it seems as if the city is ignoring the poor more than they did when neglecting our neighborhoods.
The Neurocentric // July 18, 2007 at 9:45 pm |
Interesting. When the police stopped me the reason they gave was that I was driving very carefully, which was clearly suspicious.
Bird // July 18, 2007 at 11:07 pm |
Time will show ——–
DrM // July 19, 2007 at 12:27 am |
Good comment, Sabir. Keep in mind though that everybody has a fuse, we’re all human and don’t always do the “logical” thing. Flight or fight, its in the sympathetics. What I find annoying is the patronizing attitude of the people telling us to take the “Gandhi route”(even though they themselves wont. And no, watching a Hollywood movie doesn’t make one an expert of the Mahatma, India or the British empire).
Personally I think a little attitude goes a long way, as that fat rent-a-cop at LAX found out after hassling me ;)
hijabisoverrated // July 19, 2007 at 6:25 am |
When I was a senior in high school my girls and I use to hang around Hanes Point in Washington dc. People would drive around slow showing off their cars, have picnics, work out etc. I pulled in looking for a place to park and I guess I didn’t stop the complete 3 seconds before going threw the stop sign. We weren’t paying loud music, and I just had 1 girl in the car, so when I respectfully asked the officer what I’m being pulled over for he just went off. He was completely disrespectful, cursing, you name it. Now, this guy was old enough to be my father, white, and clearly feeling himself. I don’t know if he was mad that I dared to ask him anything at all or he was just having a bad day, but as I sat there in the car waiting to get my ticket, I clearly made up my mind that I am going to address the way he just spoke to me. I let my friend know just in case something jumps off that I was going to say something to the cop. When the cop came back and gave me the ticket I let him know that his tone wasn’t called for. I asked him a question respectfully and the reply was disrespectful. I asked him how would he feel if a cop talked to his daughter that way? I also let him know this is the reason why young people like me don’t like you guys because you think you can just talk to people however you wish but don’t expect the same treatment in return. Finally, I told him his actions only make the job worst for the next officer who I’d come in contact with. So, if you have problems with a youngster it’s probably because they came in contact with a cop like you.
I didn’t yell at him, or give him a lot of body attitude, but my tone wasn’t weak in any regard and I looked him right in his face so he can SEE me for who I am. Not just another black girl from DC. Sometimes, you do have to pull a dudes card when they forget themselves. I just have an issue with how you did it. You have kids and you’re not rich so your death won’t leave them money to sustain them. This country is hard without a nest egg. The longer you’re here for them the better their chances. That’s all I’m saying.
BTW, the cop straightened up after I said my piece and apologized for his actions.
Everyone needs a reminder sometimes….
Is Courage the same as anger? « Just your average Muslim // July 19, 2007 at 10:01 am |
[...] Courage the same as anger? Posted July 19, 2007 Read this post, and then read what is [...]
Sulayman F // July 19, 2007 at 5:50 pm |
Can someone tell me this “refuse the robber” hadith?
William R. Barker // July 20, 2007 at 8:11 pm |
Umar… buddy… this might come in handy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhq0NDkUViQ
(If it doesn’t play… go to YouTube and search – chris rock police)
I gotta tell ya, Umar… I’m a 45-year-old white guy with a crew cut. I look like a trooper… but I’m not. (*SMILE*) Last week I had an early morning pick-up taking a couple chicks from Monroe, Orange County, NY to Port Authority, NYC. The pick-up was at 3:30 a.m.
Man… I hadn’t gotten a mile down the road before there were flashing lights behind me. (*SMILE*)
Was I speeding? Nope. Weaving? Nope. Driving a wreak or punk car? Jeez, no… I drive a Mercury Grand Marquis for Christ’s sake!
The moment the lights came on I pulled to the side… where it would be SAFE for the cop to get behind me and walk to my driver’s side without HIM being in danger of getting clipped by a passing car.
#2: When you get pulled over… especially at night… when you’re pulled over turn OFF the engine and turn ON the interior light. Put you right arm over the passenger seat where the cop can see it’s empty – no weapon – no threat. Same with your right arm and hand… out the window… where the cop can see you’re empty handed with no weapons.
Yeah, yeah… I know… being white don’t hurt. (*SMIRK*) Being a middle aged white man with a crew cut driving a Grand Marquis don’t hurt. (*SMILE*) Should it help…? Maybe not… but let’s not argue theory – let’s help YOU out and anyone reading this.
Don’t argue. Don’t lie. Be polite. Most of all, show the cop you’re not a threat and that you’re concerned about his vulnerability during a traffic stop as well as your own. Keys on the dash may be overdoing it a bit… (*SMILE*)… but definitely turn your engine off while keeping your lights on.
So… the trooper walks over to me. I say, “was I speeding troop?” He said no. I left it at that. He asked for my license. I told him sure, said my licence was in my wallet in my pocket, and proceeded to take it out to show him my licence. As I handed him the licence I volunteered my registration and my insurance card.
The cop looked at me, I could tell he was smelling my breath and inside the car and looking to see if my eyes were “funny.” He saw I was local. He asked me where I was coming from/going to and I told him. (*SHRUG*)
AGAIN… we could argue over whether he SHOULD have asked or whether he has any RIGHT to ask or be answered… but com’on… it’s 3:30 a.m. He’s obviously looking for drunks. He’s DOING HIS JOB!
He told me he had pulled me over because I had wandered over the double yellow line. Honestly, I don’t think I did… but I may have while adjusting the radio. In any case… what’s the big frigg’n deal? He’s doing his job.
He gave me back my licence. Wished me a good night and told me to drive safe and I gave him the same goodnight and drive safe.
Umar… chill, man. What’s that old saying… “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?” (*SMILE*)
It’s not about “being afraid.” It’s not about “punking out.” It’s about common sense. At least that’s the way I look at it.
BILL
Abdul Hayiy // May 25, 2008 at 12:59 am |
Rapes Do Not Need 4 Witnesses, THAT’S FOR ZINA !
“Amongst my people (ummat) there are ones who really drink liquor. They named it with another name. In front of them are fully equip with music instruments and by that they become apes and pigs.” (Silsilah Hadits Ash Shahihah 1 after hadits number 90).
“Verily I say unto you, there will be amongst my people (ummat) who will for the lawfulness (halaal) of zina (adultery), silks, khamar (liquor) and music instruments. And there will be people who come down beside the high mountain, where one of their shepperd of cattle back to them in the afternoon and come to them for some needs, but they say “Come back to us next morning.” Then Allah destroys them at night, throw the mountain to them and change others into the appearance of apes and pigs until the Day of Resurrection.” (Silsilah Hadits Ash Shahihah 1 no.91)
Munir // May 27, 2008 at 10:59 pm |
If its not OK to sometimes be scared why is there Salat al-khawf the fear prayer in the Quran