Communism

Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.

Since the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., I have become to realize just how different I am. It is funny but up to that point, I thought of myself as any regular citizen living in this country. The attacks have shown me how people can stereotype others without really knowing them or understanding their background.

I remember before the attacks, when I used to say that I was from Iraq, no one really had ever heard of the country. It is surprising how famous someone or something gets when tragedy occurs. I always ended up mentioning the Middle East because Iraq seemed so unknown.

Regrettably, nowadays mentioning I am from Iraq not only gets recognition, it often gets me sneered feedbacks that I could definitely do without. Sometimes the question is not even necessary, I have found that people can typically stereotype just by your outward appearance.

Ironically, as this has made me appreciate my culture