...from South Carolina

Currently viewing: Columbia

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.
"I am so proud to know you both. You are a true source of pride for the Sikh community but for all Americans. I hope you will both stay in touch and let me help you in the future."

My very best,
Nikki Randhawa Haley
Representative and Majority Whip
South Carolina State Legislature
District 87 (Lexington)
"The film itself is powerful, and I appreciate the message you are communicating -- but what delighted me most was your desire to share people's stories. I am an anthropology major with dreams of doing genealogical research, family histories, to learn people's stories before they are lost. The film spoke to me as an American, and also as a person because you found a unique way to project an issue to a vast audience while maintaining the intimacy of personal experience. Bravo! Good luck, y'all."

19-year-old female, white, faithful but unaffiliated, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I am Jewish and the film proved to be a real eye opener for me.  I don't think most people are aware of how we harbor and nurture prejudices without even realizing it.  Thank you for helping to bring this very, very important film to Columbia.  Good luck on the rest of the tour.  It has changed my level of awareness and sensitivity. I think this film needs to be shown in every middle school and high school. I know that the seeds of prejudice are planted at home, but they are nurtured by a lack of understanding."

Doris Levy Davidson
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"As a black man I can relate to what you and your community has gone through from my own experiences and the stories told to me by my family. I can relate to the overt media persecution and the everyday unseen prejudices that sometimes boil over into an action (ex, Don Imus)."

21-year-old male, African-American, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I found this film amazing. As a Sikh girl I have heard all of these stories but the problem was only I had heard them. You are doing so much for Sikhism as a whole. Thank you so much."

21-year-old female, Indian, Sikh, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I was very moved by the film on many levels. I met Sikh people in college before 9/11 so I knew they are not terrorists. I have enjoyed meeting people of diverse nationalities, religions, ethnicities, etc. Being Jewish, I can empathize with victims of prejudice. Having been a battered wife, I can more readily empathize with victims of violence.

Having a maiden name of Laden (spelled a lot like the media spells the name of Osama bin Laden), my family got some of the same comments and extra scrutiny at airports as many of the Sikhs. (as well as verbal threats, but fortunately some of them, like a threat on my nephew's life, were not carried out).

Thanks for spreading your message of love."

Beverly Laden Amaro
50-year-old female, white, Jewish, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"My daughter, who is of color, born in Hyderbad and adopted at five years, was in middle school in 2001. She would so appreciate your film. If you show it at College of Charleston, email me so I can let her know. After 9/11 her school mates said to her, 'Aren't you from over there? Aren't you Muslim?' She was not prepared for it and clarified, 'No. I'm from India but now I'm American and just as Southern as you. I was a Hindu but now I'm a Christian Unitarian.' 'Well, where is India?' they said, 'Isn't it all the same?'

Excellent work -- this film. You are extraordinary, wonderful young people."

Susan Carlton
57-year-old female, Caucasian, Unitarian-Universalist, American citizen (but former British subject and born in Sri Lanka)
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I used to visit with a Sikh who was my neighbor. We used to take walks together. I never made the connection between his turban and being a terrorist. Understanding of other cultures melts fear!"

48-year-old male, white, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I am so glad you made this wonderful film. Hopefully it will do good in the world and spread the message of tolerance and appreciation of diversities. As someone who understands what it is like to feel different in society, I am glad I am not alone in my struggle for the world to understand and love each other. Though I am a Christian, I am appalled at the form of diluted faith that the US has in the majority of the population and if any apology I could give for the actions of small minded Christians would be sufficient I would give it, I can only hope that they will understand their faith better and learn that to be Christian or whatever means to love and appreciate others."

22-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"This film was an interesting one and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it. I like how it combines a personal story and passion with a tragedy. I think your documentary tells the story that we often don't hear or think of when we talk about or think about 9/11. Very interesting and thought provoking movie."

37-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Everyone must see this film if we want to create world peace."

47-year-old male, Japanese, Buddhist, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Because of this film my awareness of hate crimes has been broadened. The importance of listening and sharing stories with fellow Americans is a vital part of our lives. Valarie, thank you for your courage, determination, and willingness to take a stand to change lives."

55-year-old female, Protestant-Christian Methodist, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"This is such a wonderful film and I applaud your endeavor. As a student of religion, I see more and more you can't come to know God or the presence of God if you can't see people with the love He has for us all. May God continue to bless you and keep you."

James D. Griffin
23-year-old male, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Statements 6. ['Information from this film will help improve the way Americans can recover from 9/11'] and 8. ['Information from this film will help Americans better understand and address national security issues after 9/11] (on the obverse of this [response] card) will be true to the extent that the film is widely shown and seen by people not predisposed to see different others as brothers and sisters.

The mass of U.S.A. citizens are so poorly educated in foreign geography, cultures and languages, and fear is so powerful an emotion, that it will be very easy for our politicians to again exploit us in the name of 'homeland security' the next time we are attacked."

63-year-old male, Caucasian, Bahá'í, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"These stories have difference faces from ones I have seen, but the emotions of the circumstances are very familiar. Education is one answer. Another is to emphasize the value of PBS programming. Educational TV takes us into the lives and cultures of others. Educational TV must be promoted more than it is -- and your film ought to be edited to fit a time slot on ETV. I wholly applaud this effort to inform the public."

68-year-old male, Caucasian, Jewish, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Please do not think all Christians are like the young fundamentalist -- some of us really are educated. I appreciate the inclusion of pastors who are enlightened."

44-year-old female, Christian
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"This movie was incredible. It really made me think back at how I have stereotyped people. Also, this film made me think about how this goes beyond hate crimes, but freedom of religion as well."

19-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"This film should be shown to the public at large, perhaps on NBC, ABC and CBS to thoroughly achieve its objective quickly. Public television will not reach the ignorant."

65-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Can we/you get this film into schools? It needs to educate young Americans as they develop their values."

61-year-old male, white, Lutheran, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"A powerful message, which dramatizes the dark side of our collective responses after 9/11.... a very noble effort. Congratulations!!!"

77-year-old male, white, Pluralist/Methodist, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Thank you for the vision, hard work, and compassion that brought this film and its stories to the world.

As to my religion or spiritual affiliation, I was raised Episcopalian/Christian. As a child I felt completely at one with nature and all of creation. Over the years, I have participated in many different religious practices. All these experiences lead me ultimately to the certainty that the Holy One does not care what path we're on as long as we're on the journey. Currently I am a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and an active member of Women of Faith, an interfaith group of women here in the Midlands of S.C. who meet once a month in a different woman's home to discuss a chosen theme from each woman's unique faith perspective. We have been meeting about five years now."

55-year-old female, Scots-Irish American
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I feel that we all should love one another. Certainly not feel hatred for anyone. But I definitely believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I do not believe in hating anyone for their belief. All of my life I have never been a racist."

82-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"I like the recall of what happened with Japanese Americans post Pear Harbor. Maybe the evolution of how they are now accepted with happen quicker post-9/11."

66-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Most 8th graders study the Holocaust. This is a current powerful example of the same effect that fear and silence have on lots of groups."

49-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian (Episcopalian), American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Well done and congratulations. My prayers for you guys will be a huge improvement in the reduction in hatred and violence."

46-year-old male, white, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Thank you! You inspired me. A film that everyone needs to see."

51-year-old female, Caucasian, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Excellent! Thank you! Keep on keeping on. Bless you."

67-year-old male, white, Christian, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia
"Thank you so very much."

female, Asian-Pakistani, Muslim, American citizen
University of South Carolina
Columbia