"It is amazing to see how ignorant some people can be. Even with the influence of the media, so still take stereotyping to an extreme extent -- they kill. It just seems like more people would have common sense to realize that not everyone who looks like those on the media is trying to kill you.

Swampscott is a very sheltered community. I have not lived here all my life, but this is the town I lived in throughout middle school and high school so far. Swampscott is one of the more diversified communities I have lived in, with different religions. We are lucky in such a sheltered community to be able to see films like this and expand our views.

I am not without prejudices by any means. I have been afraid of people based on the way they look and the media's influence. However, I am glad that I have the opportunities to see movies like this and realize, consciously, the judgments I make of people."

"Thank you so, so much for taking it upon yourself to enlighten all of us on an issue that many of us don't understand. Though we are just kids, we are the future; we are the ones that are going to shape society. If everyone were to see this film, I truly believe they would be changed and would be inclined to change others as well. You've created something that has truly effected all of us, and again, I thank you. I speak for everyone when I say we are grateful. Continue doing what you do, and some day you'll conquer the world."

"I loved that your documentary was sincere and honest. You weren't trying to manipulate the audience. I really appreciate the documentary and everything it stood for."

"I was really moved by DWF. It opened my eyes to the tragic problems that are happening to Sikh men and women. I am ashamed to say that when I was younger I looked at people with turbans in a different way than I looked at other people around me. I want to be able to make a difference because now I know what is really going on and how we can fix it. I hope that many people will embrace the movie as I did and feel empowered and changed by the movie. Thank you so much for sharing it with us."

"After losing a best friend on 9/11, I have struggled with both his loss and the discrimination and hatred that the incident brought forth. I have always worked to help people to recognize differences in individuals as unique and interesting rather than characteristics that divide us. Although it has been particularly difficult since 9/11, understand that many of us are working to deliver a similar message in our classrooms. Thank you."

"This movie made me VERY mad at the ignorance of people. It also upsets me that even though people know its wrong they still do it. (It makes me man that I do it.) I feel awful that I do it. But I can't help it. It sucks.

I was moved by this movie and just asked myself, 'What is an American?' I can't think of an answer.

I don't know if any of the above makes sense and what my point is we need to eliminate ignorance."

"THANK YOU, Valarie for showing your authenticity and sincerity while enlightening us. My daughter has a new role model -- YOU. I appreciate also the way you added historical context of racial profiling in the U.S. Seeing this pattern is important.

I think a lot of these students will be inspired to follow their passions after hearing how you've been following yours."

"I would like to thank everyone involved with this eye-opening film and discussion. This pretty much makes me ashamed to be a white American. I feel that I have a privalaged life, I have lived without discrimination. I feel that it must be really difficult to get through life with that 'monkey' on your back so to say. Very enlightening!"

"I love this film. Every time I watch it, I am moved. As an American, as a Jew, as a Hindu this movie resonated with me (every part of me)... I feel that everyone in America since 9/11 should take from this movie the reality of prejudice today and try to find out what they can do to END the HATE. I loved the end of the movie: "Ask questions, no matter how stupid" because without questions, there is no knowledge to be spread.

Well done Valarie and all who contributed to the film. You will be in my mind and heart forever."

"I just have to say that I really liked this film. It opened my eyes to how Sikhs were treated. I never really knew that other people were thought of like that (as terrorists). I have had my own share of discrimination against myself, my people -- Jews. It, the discrimination, shaped my life. So, while watching this movie I could relate to the hatred. I feel like this movie should definitely be shown to everyone."

"DWF is an inspiring documentary that points out the ignorance of many Americans who are 'the enemy' because they do not fit the 'American stereotype.' I wish that so many can be lucky enough to see and be inspired by DWF, and learn to question the media's strong influence over us by what it is and is not telling us to think. I commend Valarie and Sonny in opening their eyes and our eyes, and inspiring us to change something, whether big or small."

"My personal experience that I did not share in class was the time when my uncle (state trooper) worked at the airport after 9/11. I asked him if he had ever 'captured/talked to a terrorist' and he responded with an answer of 'we question people who look suspicious and most "look like terrorists."'"

"This was a beautiful film. Before we started this class project I had never heard of 'Sikh' and I want to thank everyone involved for opening my eyes and helping me understand that there is no 'them.'"

"The film was both moving and informational. Most of all it was inspiring. My hope and prayer is the film will raise awareness that God's love is universal, our love for each other is not. Until we accept the former and change the latter, more 9/11 tragedies will occur."

"This film made me think about how the world responded to who is the enemy and who is just the same race of the enemy and who is the one who is being blamed. Also I was little when 9/11 happened and this taught me what happened that day."

"This film made me aware of many things that I didn't know about before. It made me ashamed of my prior thought, but it also opened my eyes more."

"My maternal grandfather came to the U.S. to escape the Armenian genocide in Turkey. His father, my great-grandfather, and his younger brother, my great-uncle, hid in caves to escape. My great grandfather became ill during that time and died. My great-uncle eventually came to America also.

My grandfather returned to Istanbul to find a nice Armenian girl to marry. My mother was born in Istanbul and the family returned to the U.S. when she was still an infant.

When they were young my mother's family would go to Armenian picnics to share food, music, and camaraderie. As she got older my mother preferred to Americanize and lost some of her cultural connections. However, her children (me) still enjoy the food and the stories."

"Immediately after 9/11, turbans on subways were disconcerting. A movie such as this makes such feelings of discomfort seem groundless and actually embarrassing. Excellent job!"

"I think that this film was very well done and it made me realize that this stuff really happened and is still happening in the world. It definitely helped everyone who watched it realize that this happened and that just because a man has a turban on doesn't mean he's a terrorist. They only wear the turban for religious purposes and it's not a sign of terrorism. All of the Sikhs, Muslims, Indians I have met were all good people. am going to India this summer and I hope to get to know some people from there and see what it's like over there.

Thank you for making this movie."

"Not only am I a member of the American studies class, but I am also a part of a class called Race & Ethnicity, also taught by Mrs. Jackson. Many of the thoughts, ideas, and lessons taught by your film relate directly to what we discuss in this class. I think such inspiring films like this are an essential part of the learning process, and should be incorporated in the education of children of all ages. Thank you so much for this film, your bravery, and the truth you uncovered to help benefit us all."

"I had no idea about any of these issues or even anything about the Sikh religion. This film opened my eyes to a completely different view on 9/11. This film inspired me to look for the less mentioned story. The sometimes hidden or overlooked story. Thank you for making me look through a whole new lens. I admire your work and wish you luck."

"I look semitic. I am often stopped at security points. While I am often searched I am fortunate I can fall into the safety net of my Boston accent. The randomness of these crimes should speak to all Americans in the least we must stand for all and all stand for one. Be sure that at some time in your life that one who stands out and needs all will be you."

"This movie is a great catalyst for young and old to review their own attitudes toward each other. The more people that can see it, the more understanding of each other can come from it."

"Personally, the focus of your film has always been of interest to me. I was actually surprised to learn how many people lack knowledge of these issues. I would LOVE to help the world just as I feel you have. This issue is so close to my heart because I completely believe in equality regardless of race, ethnicity, or appearance and I've raised myself trying to erase the prejudice society embedded in all of us. Thank you SO much Valarie for informing people and displaying this incredible movie with so much truth and knowledge and allowing and helping people realize some of the most important things we all need to learn (things that are so hard to be taught and learned, but you really touched me and I think many people)."

"I feel that the stereotypes that exist today that have been shaped by one particular opinion or an image in the media, these stereotypes are what create these crimes or violence.

I was only 11 years old when 9/11 occurred, and all I heard about were the towers falling but I never heard of these hate crimes. After watching the film I felt my eyes open and realized that America wasn't just my small town but it was a place made of different people of all kinds who are Americans.

I would like to thank you, Valarie. I will always remember this day where my mind was exposed to a whole new world and new thoughts."

"It was so weird to watch DWF because I was alive during this time period, but I was so unaware of what was actually happening in our country. This film makes me want to try and help to change what is wrong with stereotypes and racial profiling. I think DWF is a movie that everyone should see. Valarie, thank you so much for coming to Amstud and sharing your experiences and it is something that I will never forget."

"Valarie, I strongly believe that you have inspired me and I feel as though your story is so moving and you are so genuinely passionate and tolerant. This was an experience I will never forget. Thank you so much."

"Thank you very much for the time you spent with us, it was greatly appreciated, and now I have a lot of thoughts and ideas I need to consider and I have quite a lot of research to do, and philosophy to learn about and appreciate."

"Thank you for making this film, and for so beautifully articulating the need for people to tell their stories... and for creating the space for people to have dialogue and communication. We cannot 'draw lines in the sand.' We need to have the courage and foresight to create the opportunities for people to heal and seek solutions other than violence and hate. Your work will help keep this message alive."

"Thank you for sharing this story with our children and community. As our children get ready to leave our sheltered town and embark on their college careers, it is so important that they are exposed to the social issues and challenges in the world today. I believe this film has opened a door for them to explore the realities of bias and unfairness and to hopefully participate in activities that address the issues."

"I enjoyed and appreciated this film because I felt it really uplifted most of my ignorance to other cultures. My ignorance was not instilled by choice, but rather by my geographic location. It was really inspiring to be able to be introduced to a whole new world I had never knew about."

"Ignorance is a disease. Lack of education, exposure to history, art and depictions of love and forgiveness breed hate and support fundamentalism. In a world that our young people are told the value of thug life, and Britney Spears, thank you for sharing your effort!"

"I am an aspiring film student and I absolutely LOVED the film. My film class is coming up on personal documentarys! Ahh. When brainstorming I can come up with nothing significant in my personal life. I found the film so inspiring, and so amazing! I don't even know how to begin.

THANK YOU!"

"Thanks for taking us through this very difficult journey. It certainly exposed our vulnerability and made us aware of the crimes of hate that take place all over the world every day, and the urgency to keep working hard to educate and try to eliminate it."

"I feel that watching this film educated me in depth on discrimination and racism. I think that the ignorance of people is the reason for this hatred in our country. This movie will make people more understanding and better people."

"This was a wonderful documentary that exposed the rush to judgment and the prejudices that flare when crises arise. I have learned valuable information about the Sikh faith.

Very well done!!"

"Thank you for an enlightening, informative documentary.

Yes -- ask questions, no matter how stupid! Get to know each other.

Plus, every little thing you do can make a difference."

"You showed such a keen insight as a 20-year-old intellectual -- I learned SO much. What wonderful foresight you had to make a different in our complex world."

"The importance of telling the stories -- the study of literature, films, history to open ourselves to others' views.

As a Unitarian Universalist I was drawn to the Sikh concept that all religions share a common focus. Our country needs to emphasize the basic human value of communality, not focus on differences and division. Our current administration has supported an 'us/them' mentality that is very destructive."

"This film was moving and I know I will recommend it to my entire family. Thank you so much for this experience."

"Beautiful. Thank you, Valarie."