Are We Really That Different?

Taking the chance to meet and understand someone who is different from you might not change the whole world; however, it can change your world. And is there a better place for you to start?

A few weeks after September 11th, 2001, I was riding on a bus in Toowoomba, Australia.

As I stood near the back of the bus, I watched as two ladies wearing hijabs made their way to a nearby empty seat. The seat in front of them was positioned so that if someone would sit in it, that person would face the two ladies. That seat remained empty.

When I approached the empty seat, I asked the two ladies if I could sit down. While I could see their apprehension, they allowed me to join them.

Nearby conversations grew quiet.

I realized as I sat down that I was most likely speaking to a mother and her college-aged daughter. To my knowledge, I had never spoken to a member of the Islamic faith before, and I really didn’t know how to start.

I remember asking if there were many Muslims in Toowoomba. The younger of the two explained that because of the attack in the United States, several Mosques in Queensland had been vandalized and many Muslims had been threatened. She explained that many of her family and friends were coming to Toowoomba where they felt safer.

I’m not sure why, but I asked what they did for fun. To my astonishment, I learned that the younger of the two liked playing soccer and watching Adam Sander movies. I almost didn't believe her, but then she began quoting from Happy Gilmore (I am, to this day, unashamed in my belief that Happy Gilmore is Oscar-worthy material). I recall looking at the older lady and asking if she liked Adam Sandler movies. She explained succinctly that she liked Star Trek. I asked if she meant the original series or the Next Generation. Her response, almost smiling, was, “Jean-Luc Picard.”

I could see one of my companions motioning to me that we were approaching our stop.

I explained that I was from Pennsylvania, which neighbored New York. I remember explaining that I was sorry for how they were being treated and, for what it was worth, I didn’t blame them for anything and that I felt they shouldn’t be blamed for something that happened on the other side of the earth from them.

I asked if I could shake their hands, but they explained that they couldn’t. I understood and I thanked them for talking to me, we said goodbye and I left.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that those minutes are priceless to me. My worldview expanded because they let me talk with them. I'm so grateful for those two ladies, who despite their nervousness, took the time to help me understand a little about themselves.

Before that conversation, I never thought I would have anything in common with two ladies of the Islamic Faith. Within a conversation that lasted less than 10 minutes, a huge barrier was broken. From that lesson, I learned to focus on how we are similar instead of how we are different. I can think of few things more important today than finding our similarities.