# Guess what happens when you dress in Muslim garb and go out in a tiny Alabama town. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 10, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264 "2009-02-10T19:41:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/41 "2009-02-11T06:49:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\ ***Death of Rats** > Of course, when you are a blond-haired, pale-skinned, blue-eyed white catholic girl I am sure the response is different then if you are a dark haired, dark-skinned, brown eyed Iranian Muslim girl walking in there in the same outfit. Where did you get the idea that she is a blond? She isn’t. She has dark hair and brows. > [@](#): > > …those racists she encountered would not necessarily respond to her the same way they would to a person who did fit their stereotype, so this experiment may not have shown what they intended either way. What do you mean “those racists she encountered”? She didn’t encounter any. That was the whole point of the article. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/42 "2009-02-11T07:03:01Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > What do you mean “those racists she encountered”? She didn’t encounter any. That was the whole point of the article. He must mean the “survivalists” (hunters), who, because they’re dressed in camo, must be pig-ignorant backward hicks. Of course, you and I know that they were probably perfectly nice guys who’d have stopped and helped change a tire on the side of the road. I swear to God it’s true. Making fun of white Southerners is the only acceptable form of bigotry left. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/43 "2009-02-11T07:35:14Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > By the way, that video made me smile. Big tip of the hat to those folks for upholding Southern hospitality. It was ironic that the only people down on the southerners seemed to be the Americans. The Arab professor seems a particularly nice guy and somewhat irked at the negative stereotypes (which he probably knows a thing or two about). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/44 "2009-02-11T09:56:54Z")
> [@Osip](#): > > Really, I go thru Arab all the time. The people there are quite friendly and have always been civil and polite to me. Even when I stop at the store in SCA garb. Maybe the Arabians had no idea she was in hijab, and just assumed she was another one of those crazy SCAdians, off to the War? ---
**Author:** ![Rolken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df788c/32.png) [@Rolken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rolken)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/45 "2009-02-11T10:38:16Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > This very matter came up in a thread a couple of months ago and the majority said that “bible bashing” is proselytizing. I can’t speak for other denominations, but for Mormons, bible bashing specifically means an argument about attacking (“bashing”) someone’s interpretation of the Bible with references to the Bible, and should be avoided. A recent quote [from a church apostle](http://www.lds.org/conference/oct2008/pdf/GC_2008_11_24_HalesRD_ChristianCourage_04903_eng_.pdf) (pdf): > [@](#): > > Paul reminded the Corinthians that his preaching was “not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). Because that power resides in the Spirit of the Lord, we must never become contentious when we are discussing our faith. As almost every missionary learns, Bible bashing always drives the Spirit away. The Savior has said, “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me” (3 Nephi 11:29). More regrettable than the Church being accused of not being Christian is when Church members react to such accusations in an un-Christlike way! May our conversations with others always be marked by the fruits of the Spirit— “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). IMO that definition of bible bashing makes more sense than defining it as proselyting generally. Or is proselyting considered to imply arguing? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/46 "2009-02-11T10:40:44Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I swear to God it’s true. Making fun of white Southerners is the only acceptable form of bigotry left. Nah, in the UK they have Gingerism. > **[BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Is gingerism as bad as racism?](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6725653.stm)** > > A red-haired family claims to have been driven from their Newcastle home because of abuse. Why is the harassment of redheads dismissed as just harmless fun? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/47 "2009-02-11T11:00:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Rolken** : > bible bashing specifically means an argument about attacking (“bashing”) someone’s interpretation of the Bible with references to the Bible Not sure I understand you (just woke up from a nap, brain is not yet in gear). “An argument about attacking”? What proposition is being argued, and which side of the argument do you have to be on in order to be a basher? But anyway, I’ve always (falsely, it would seem) thought “bible bashing” meant overly aggressive efforts to foist one’s religious (bible-centered) views on another … kind of like “bashing them over the head with the bible.” Referring to it as “proselytizing” was inexact shorthand of a sort, since I had just employed the phrase “obnoxiously promoting the bible.” Though for some of us, the line between uninvited proselytizing and obnoxious uninvted proselytizing is so thin as to be invisible. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/48 "2009-02-11T11:56:46Z")
And isn’t it great to know that the positive values of the USA have withstood the challenges of the last decade rather than just assuming it? A worthwhile social experiment in a worthwhile project. I wouldn’t do it in any number of UK housing estates but I’d be happy if someone did this and came up with a similar good outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/49 "2009-02-11T13:49:42Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “Looky there, it’s one a’ them, whaddyacallem’s, a nun!” Some folks in The Bible Belt might be upset by nuns! (Even though most nuns don’t dress that way may more.) ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/50 "2009-02-11T13:52:41Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Not sure I understand you (just woke up from a nap, brain is not yet in gear). “An argument about attacking”? What proposition is being argued, and which side of the argument do you have to be on in order to be a basher? > > But anyway, I’ve always (falsely, it would seem) thought “bible bashing” meant overly aggressive efforts to foist one’s religious (bible-centered) views on another … kind of like “bashing them over the head with the bible.” Referring to it as “proselytizing” was inexact shorthand of a sort, since I had just employed the phrase “obnoxiously promoting the bible.” Though for some of us, the line between uninvited proselytizing and obnoxious uninvted proselytizing is so thin as to be invisible. **Rolken** was giving an LDS definition of “Bible bashing.” Most of us think of Bible Bashers or Bible Thumpers as the loud preachers one might hear on the radio or TV. Or elsewhere–but those places are easier to avoid for those who don’t want to hear Bible Bashing… ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/51 "2009-02-11T13:54:59Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > He must mean the “survivalists” (hunters), who, because they’re \*\*dressed in camo, \*\*must be pig-ignorant backward hicks. Of course, you and I know that they were probably perfectly nice guys who’d have stopped and helped change a tire on the side of the road. > > I swear to God it’s true. Making fun of white Southerners is the only acceptable form of bigotry left. Of course it might have been HUNTING season as well :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/52 "2009-02-11T14:39:23Z")
Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/53 "2009-02-11T15:02:58Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > [Nothing.](http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/02/09/muslims.america/) > > I guess I’m pitting two things. > > 1. I’m pretty sure that particular BBQ joint only serves pork. Would a “traditional” Muslim even walk through the doors? > > 2. What the fuck? Are people still this goddamn ignorant about the South? HOW long have you been a Doper? I have seen some of the rudest, most ignorant things about the South said by people who closely resembled people you’d ordinarily admire. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/54 "2009-02-11T15:19:47Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Hey, is that story about **Arab** , Alabama true - that the guy who painted the water tower misspelled **AHAB** and they just re-named the town **Arab**? The story I heard was that it was supposed to be spelled “Arad”. Maybe the water tower painter was dyslexic. We get a kick out of the fact that their high school mascot is the Arabian Knight. Dressed in robes with a scimitar, right? Nope, it’s a knight in shining armor. **Ogre** , I ate barbecue at a new place in Arab on Sunday, and they had white sauce available, so I guess it’s spreading. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/55 "2009-02-11T15:38:10Z")
I really do hope that the South is now no more racist than the rest of the country. It’s not only just, but it would mean that the Republican party’s Southern Strategy would finally be put to death. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/56 "2009-02-11T16:13:42Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I really do hope that the South is now no more racist than the rest of the country. It’s not only just, but it would mean that the Republican party’s Southern Strategy would finally be put to death. How it _is_ and how it _votes_ are two different things. Although do note that Louisiana elected Bobby Jindal (R) as Governor in 2007, the first Indian-American to hold that position anywhere in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/57 "2009-02-11T16:20:52Z")
> [@sulawesi](#): > > I wouldn’t necessarily assume it was staged, but from the woman’s comments, she must have known she was being baited, especially considering the fact that there was a cameraman in the parking lot. Filming her. The exchange probably happened over a longer time and was edited to make it look like getting “the boys” was a response to seeing the cars in the first place, rather than her (correct) perception that she was being harassed for a viewing audience. > > Not that threats of violence and rock-throwing is an appropriate response, but it’s predictable enough, if you stop at enough gas stations to find someone to take the bait. Was she being harassed, though? It didn’t look like they were saying anything to her. More like she was just reacting to the cars. Do you think they edited it that way? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/58 "2009-02-11T16:28:40Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > How it _is_ and how it _votes_ are two different things. Although do note that Louisiana elected Bobby Jindal (R) as Governor in 2007, the first Indian-American to hold that position anywhere in the country. That’s great. But I don’t follow your distinction about how it is versus how it votes. **IF** appeals to racism work to win voters in one part of the country and not in others, how could we not conclude that that part of the country is more racist than others? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/59 "2009-02-11T16:47:48Z")
Oh, and about the Top Gear thing…did they really need a jump at that exact moment? That felt way too staged. Like they were trying hard to look like it was a really scary moment. ---
**Author:** ![sulawesi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@sulawesi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sulawesi)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264/60 "2009-02-11T23:04:28Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Was she being harassed, though? It didn’t look like they were saying anything to her. More like she was just reacting to the cars. Do you think they edited it that way? Sure. She must have known something was going on when three provocatively-decorated cars, with different messages no less, all pulled in to the parking lot at once and someone got out to film the scene. What could that have been, from her perspective, but a set-up to see how she would react? “Harassed” might be too strong a word, but seeing if you can get a rise out of people because they’re stupid bigots with poor impulse control is insulting, at best. Too bad she gave them the response they wanted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-what-happens-when-you-dress-in-muslim-garb-and-go-out-in-a-tiny-alabama-town/485264.md?page=4)