With roots reaching from Malaysia to Ghana, Saudi Arabia to China, exchange students at the University of Montana met with the Missoulian last week to reflect on their experiences in America and Missoula, articulating their thoughts about racial and social justice 40 years after King's assassination.
It was Saleh Alharthi's first day in America. And his first venture outside his native Saudi Arabia.
At the airport, Alharthi was asked by U.S. officials to wait until he was called for questioning. He could not use his cell phone, get a drink of water, eat any food or use a restroom.
He waited for 10 hours.
Other students were waiting, too. Many were on the floor because there were not enough chairs. Some had waited for six hours, some for more than 11.
“I do not think American individuals are prejudiced,” Alharthi said. “But the government is.”
Alharthi said the U.S. government has the right - even the responsibility - to protect its citizens by questioning certain people, especially after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. However, that doesn't excuse his poor treatment by U.S. Customs.
“We should have at least been granted the basic rights of eating and drinking. I should have been able to call my family,” he said. “But it doesn't bother me because we know many people here that are so kind.”
When Alharthi had told other people he was going to Montana, he was told he would face discrimination.
“But I didn't,” he said. “In Montana, people are so friendly and helpful.”
Felicity Dugo, an exchange student from Ghana, also had preconceived notions about America and Montana.
“I always thought the U.S was like a Disney fantasy where everything was perfect and everything ran smoothly,” she said.
But she quickly learned that America was no Disneyland.
Before attending UM, Dugo studied at Sentinel High School, where she was the only African student.
“At first, you don't notice how different you are until you see everybody staring at you,” she said. “I thought it was a mean look at first, but really people are just interested.”
Faye Lingarajan, a Malaysian student and the president of UM's International Student Association, has almost grown accustomed to the stares.
“Generally there are no rude people,” she said. “I do get stares every now and then, but it is a healthy curiosity. People are very accepting.”
Lingarajan appreciates many things about Missoula and its people, like the small acts of kindness she sees every day.
In Missoula, people hold the door open for you even if they have to wait a while for you to go through it, she said. At the grocery store, the checkers let you know if their line is shorter than the one you're in. People answer any questions you might have.
“There is so much friendliness in Missoula. It is a laid-back community,” Lingarajan said. “And we adopt those customs when we go back home. In the city I am from, people are not as courteous or patient.”
On exchange from China, Ke Zhang said he became part of the Missoula community very quickly.
“In Missoula, I feel that I am at home and I am not a stranger,” he said.
Zhang remembers one day when he went skiing at Discovery Basin with a group of friends. He and his friends fell in the snow many times, but always found a helping hand.
“People are so helpful,” he said. “I want to be able to help them next.”
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just around the corner when they were interviewed, the students reflected on the day and the issues it represents.
Lingarajan noticed that the issue of race was addressed much more seriously in America than in other countries, including her own. In Malaysia, individuals could tease each other about their race, but it would only be in jest.
“It's a sensitive issue here, not to be talked about,” she said. “I think it's because there are so many races here that if it weren't taken seriously, America couldn't have this kind of peace.”
Lingarajan finds the mixture of people in America intriguing.
“I admire this country because despite race everyone is American,” she said. “Nationality overrides race.”
Zhang applies a great deal of meaning to the day.
“It is a symbol of equality,” he said. “It's a big day not only for Americans but in my country as well because (Martin Luther King Jr.) established a model for our country.”
Zhang believes that racism is usually dependent on one's background. Dugo also thinks background plays an important part, though each person has the power to break free.
“When we all come together,” she said, “people with common cultures will get along better because they have more to talk about. But even though we are bonded by different groups, once we start growing up we make our own choices no matter what.”
In the United States, Dugo said people perceive others based on their groups rather than their individuality.
“Everybody judges,” she said. “But back home we don't see people as groups, groups, groups. People aren't the Mormons, the Christians, the Democrats, the gays.”
In Ghana, people are more preoccupied with meeting basic needs. Americans have more time and money to think about race, religion and politics, she said.
“I'd rather struggle to eat than make someone feel bad for what they are,” Dugo said. “There are more important things to worry about.”
Sitting at a table in the University Center, Dugo waved to a friend who came and sat next to her. The friend was a UM student who studied abroad last year in Ghana.
They talked. They have much in common, they said.
They are not American or Ghanan. They are two people. They are friends.
In his honor
A rally in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. is set for 5:15 p.m. Monday in Missoula's Caras Park. Speaker: Kao Nou Thao, facilitator with the Missoula chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute. Music by Amy Martin. The celebration moves to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks St., at 5:45 p.m. Keynote address by UM law professor Ray Cross.
Carly Flandro is an intern at the Missoulian and journalism student at the University of Montana. She can be reached at carly.flandro@umontana.edu.
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