...from California

Currently viewing: Palo Alto (Stanford)
Select another city: Berkeley, Clovis, Los Angeles, Redlands, Pomona, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton

Note: Viewers defined their own race and religious affiliation in open-ended demographic questions - this information is intended to show the diversity of our audiences.

---

"You've made a moving piece of cinema that tells a personal story and records a piece of history.  Beyond all that you aspire -- and will achieve -- with the power of storytelling, this film will be a piece of 9-11 history in the future, something that historians can show to students to demonstrate the hate crimes that belied the official anthem of a united front against terror."

"As a Muslim born in America, this film deeply resonated with me. After 9/11 my own father was nearly shot after someone saw his skin color, shouted racial slurs at him and pulled out a gun to shoot him. it was only the beginning of continuing discrimination that still takes place today. I hope that this movie is shown throughout America, it's deeply important that people see what this country is truly like - a pluralistic society made up of different cultures, races and religious persuasions. I wish you the best."

"Valarie,

I've been hearing about your journey and film project for many years and anxiously anticipated this film. I'm glad I finally got to watch it. It was such a human story and I'm sure it'll help people understand the real issues and hopefully trigger dialogue.

I'm so proud that a young Indian Sikh woman has made such an amazing documentary. You've done a lot since I met you at Stanford in 2002. I learned so much from this film and I hope this can be shown to more diverse audiences. You tied in your personal story, historical events, and their incidents together well. It was great seeing Sonny's humor in the film too. Hope to hear from you and good luck on your journey."

"This is the only way to educate the world, knowledge is power. I am behind you 110%, this happens every day, if people know, then it will stop; people will continue to beat us up if we don't tell them. After 9/11, I was harassed, then I said to myself, it's our fault not to educate, let people know, LET THEM KNOW!!"

"This is the most affecting film I have ever seen. It is a tapestry of shock, pain, fear, but most of all love, warmth, forgiveness, healthy family interaction. Thank you for the gift of this film; it shows the rare gift of hope. Good luck on the success of this film!

P.S. I believe there is a useful but very unhealthy element to hate for some people. That is to say some may be benefiting from the fear [and] anger it creates. That disgusts me."

"The story I loved the most was the one about the young boy who is called 'bin Laden.' When you return to him later he has come to terms with and can joke about the prejudice he faces. At first he sees himself as 'bad' or having something wrong with him. By the end, he realizes 'lots of people look different' and he sees the whimsical nature (from bin Laden to Saddam) of their remarks."

"When growing up, I experienced discrimination because of my appearance, but never to a point of violence. What is worrying is when the light-hearted 'poking fun' turns into cold-blooded hatred when these intolerant people grow up. In the story of the child who gets poked fun at, he responds with violence. I feel education about tolerance and accepting others should start with children; it is difficult but should be done."

"Being non-US citizen I actually was hardly aware of the hate violence after 9/11. It was not really covered in European press. So the film was quite useful for me. Great work!!"

"This was brilliant -- thank you! One of the most profound statements was made by Rachel at the end, 'I really wanted my prejudices to be true.' This seems to be at the core of hate crimes and sustained prejudices -- people step out to demonstrate that their beliefs are true.

How can we bring such a simple statement to light for recognition and understanding? I will look for your success in championing such a deep purpose.

Thank you."

"Wow. I am honored to be part of this project in even the smallest way... Thank you for being such a respectful guardian of my story. Best of luck with everything."

"Valarie -

I am so amazed at the depth of feeling and warmth that emanates from your documentary. If there is anything that I can do to help the project, or if there are any causes akin to this one, I would love to get involved! You are truly an inspiration, and I hope I can utilize my Stanford experience like you have! Best of luck, and God bless."

"I'm hopelessly favorably biased toward the film, so much resonates with me. Now, after the second viewing, the two voices that hit me hardest were the two young boys, Balbir Singh's nephew and the young Muslim boy, first called Osama bin Laden, then Saddam Hussein. What struck me, while listening to them, was how labeling and violence can so powerfully shape a community, terrorize people. The other thing that got me thinking was how these deaths (I guess this isn't a different thought, it's the same thought but it's got a hold of me) are communicated to so many communities so that many many can experience fear, the sense of being the 'other.' This is exactly what lynching did. It let the whole black South know they were at risk. Ah, there's so much! Keep at it!"

"Your film took me back in time to a very difficult yet valuable time in my life. Five years ago seems like a lifetime ago but your film brings back such vivid memories of 9/11 and what Sikhs nationwide went through. I am so proud of your film - I cried, laughed and journeyed back to fall 2001. Valarie -- your film is amazing! I remember when you and your cousin (with camera in hand) started out and after seeing this film (in whole) for the first time -- God blessed us with a community leader like you who has captured 9/11 with such accuracy."

"I liked how you let the stories of the interviewees speak for themselves. It is a beautiful, moving, and necessary film. I admire everyone involved with it."

"I am from Chicago and I went back for a football game in September. There was a Caucasian man holding a sign saying that 'America hates the Packers.' Now, I was at a Chicago Bears game and they have a rivalry with the Packers. So we were rooting for the same team, I even had my Bears shirt on. When I said to him I hate the packers as well, he said to me, 'and you look like a real American, don't you.'"

"This film was wonderful, I really liked how you included Japanese affliction. I loved the film and it brought tears to my eyes. I think that more people need to see this, especially mainstream America. Even though I am Indian, I learned so much. Thus you need to show this film across the country. We need to see more movies like this. Thanks!!!"

"Great film, emotionally moving, uplifting. It would be great to see you guys on Bill O'Reilly, The Colbert Report, on The Daily Show."

"I enjoyed the film, it has a compelling message that we all have helped built this country. This film has help me greatly understand the plight of how difficult it can be to accept those that are different from us. This film can enhance the power of diversity not just the idea."

"Really informational. I would definitely tell people about movie.

Should advertise it a lot more. (Although I will give good word of mouth responses). Makes you think about many issues showed."

"One story that really resonated with me was the young boy who gets called 'bin Laden's son' and later 'Saddam Hussein.' As a South Asian Muslim male, I have been targeted and called an 'Arab' by peers, even since before 9/11. The misperceptions that were portrayed are accurately and unfortunately nascent in much of American youth."

"If this movie can be sent to school districts and should be shown to all the teachers and school staff wherever it is possible through state department."

"Amazing job -- let's work together to share this with the world. I could not be more proud of what you two have done."

"Congratulations! Having lived in California during the 9/11 attacks and being part of the community (Sikh), the film was still a revelation to me on what Sikhs went through. This film motivates me to be a greater part of awareness through education."

"It was nice how a previous dark chapter in history about the Japanese settlers was related to recent events, especially, the treatment of turbaned Sikhs."

"Excellent documentary. I hope it will show also on PBS, besides in the movies. Hopefully you will also set it up to be shown in middle schools, high schools, colleges, as a course. There is tons of racism in this country and often it is construed by mainstream America as White and Black racism. It is SO important to show how the racism affects other people too.

Thank you so much, very powerful!"

"I love that you included the quote from George W Bush in the beginning/opening clips -- that wasn't present in the film when I saw it in 2004 and I'm glad you added it. I can't wait for the film to go HUGE in theaters soon, and I'm already telling my friends to look out for it and go see it. Your accomplishments are so amazing, and I have so much respect for you! I sincerely hope that someday we can sit down and have a conversation about our lives."

"It transported me back to the 9/11 event and how I felt afterwards. I was most like Rachael, and feel ashamed actually. I expect this film will help me and my view of others."

"The film was terrific -- fascinating and well done. There are many things about it that I like, but probably the biggest thing is that you made it. I am in awe of people who see something that should be done and just say to themselves, 'I can do that. I can make a difference.' And then they go out and do it. Kudos to you!"

"Great movie, in this era people only care about mainstream things and your movie is a rare way to reach out to people and alarm them about terrible situation that is happening around us. It is sad that in this such a modern era, people still tend to be insensitive and take things for granted.

I hope other communities will attempt to create some ways to introduce and communicate their identity, so that all the misunderstandings between us can diminish."

"The film was terrific -- fascinating and well done. There are many things about it that I like, but probably the biggest thing is that you made it. I am in awe of people who see something that should be done and just say to themselves, 'I can do that. I can make a difference.' And then they go out and do it. Kudos to you!"

"As I was watching the film, I thought about my trip to Mesa, AZ shortly after 9/11. My sister was living there at the time and I was going to the World Series game with her. As I was going to watch the game and the great American pastime, an entire community in Mesa was in tremendous pain. I vaguely remember stories about 9/11 backlash and hate crimes at the time, but don't remember at all how it affected the Sikh community. Your film is insightful and inspirational. Thank you and best wishes for your continued success."

"Great job, I'm wishing you the best of luck..."

"I think the movie is a great tribute to Sikhism -- to the openness and generosity of this religion."

"Very good film. Touched me personally. What is the solution to the problem -- the way people are perceived? How can future violence be prevented?"

"Very nicely done. Could slightly reduce the length. At some points I felt that the movie will finish. So you may likes to build it such that the end has a message of some way for non-Sikhs to do in their daily lives."

"I especially liked the line that went like this: 'For us to be right, they have to be wrong.'"

"I'm sure you've heard this many times, but you've done really is amazing. This night and the documentary are large contributions to those experiences which make me, someone at times on the brink of absolute despair and hopelessness, strong again.

There are many things...

Thank you."

"Ignorance is rampant in America, thanks to inferior educational system and a media who is biased and motivated by money, greed and sensationalism. Not to mention our stupid government who benefits from this ignorance.

Thank you."