With Eyes Wide Open

There are moments in our lives that we tend to be so cliche with situations that we would rather just be alone and reflect on the times we spent with non-sensible things. There are also situations that we resort to apathy because we could only do so much.

And I myself choose to speak for them....

Choosing what we like are sometimes affected with so many factors may it be internal or external (stereotyping, prejudices, discrimination). But choosing what we are deep inside us should not be subjected to any medical or clinical diagnoses like a disease or illness worth of scientific treatment.

If only we are human enough to stand for our right not to be discriminated by reasons of gender identity and sexual orientation then we should be human enough to come to the open to fight for one's right to be respected and protected above all else.

Let us look behind the facade of Human Rights and with eyes wide open maybe we could also speak and encourage people to be human no more no less.

My Name is 911

About three weeks ago, my friend recommended to me "a you should watch movie", I was so excited that she brought along with her a copy of the movie entitled "My Name is Khan". It's a movie starred by Indian prestigious actors and actresses.

The movie, revolves around the life of man named Riswan Khan a Muslim from Mumbai with a suffering from an "Asperger's syndrome". Said syndrome is a type of autism according to Wikipedia as an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and a typical use of language are frequently reported.

The movie depicts the life of a Moslem as an aftermath of the 911 NY attack, how some of our Moslem sisters an brothers living harmoniously with their peers in the United States but somehow devastated after the terrorism attack.

With Khan's depiction of the movie, I felt his innocence and loving nature this was made possible by Khan's mother who taught him about life and love. Even with his differences he became a man full of gifts like he knows how to repair things and even had a brilliant mind. His life changed when he met Mandira, a single mom who took Khan's breath away. They eventually get married and live a normal life until the death of Mandira's son that was found out to have been related with racial discrimination vis-a-vis 911 attack. Mandira blamed Khan (him being a Moslem who adopted his only son), and told him not to ever see him again until he finds justice for her son.

The story revolves around the objective of Khan to meet the President just to tell him that "MY NAME IS KHAN AND I AM NOT A TERRORIST" and that after that he would be able to faceMandira and that he could give justice to their son. But his journey towards his goal was not easy, however he made it through that stumbling blocks and even met people who not only help him but became so close to him as Khan touch their lives in ways they could not imagine.

Indeed, the story is both politically and romantically enticing as it depicts the aftermath of the 911 attack and how it affects the lives of all people in he United States may they be American or not. That behind the chaotic situation lies the story of an ordinary person not only worth telling but WORTHY TO BE HEARD. Racial profiling continues to be a decay of every nation and that children and ordinary people are the primary victims of this illness.

The story made me cry for hours, realizing that I too became part of the web of discrimination. Let us put an end to war, let us bring love and peace to every nation and state!

Photos: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1188996/plotsummary