I have been Brainwashed

And I Hate myself for it.

Published on October 9, 2004 By Muggaz In Just Hanging Out

I went for a brisk walk the other day – it was morning break at work, and the sun was shining outside. As soon as I walked out of the office, there was a Muslim lady walking with a pram – the pram was totally covered by a veil, I am not sure if this is a custom or not, but I am not proud of the thought that transgressed through my mind.

Immediately, I thought she could have a bomb in that pram. I live in Melbourne, a place virtually untouched by terrorism, yet my mind, even for a split second, thought this Muslim lady could be carrying a bomb through the quaint streets of north Richmond. I have been brainwashed, and I am disgusted with myself.

I wanted to say sorry to her, for the malicious thoughts that she had nothing to do with creating… I just smiled as she walked past, and wondered if I was a bad person. I don’t think I am a bad person, and I know this Muslim woman wasn’t a bad person, but I have allowed myself to become brainwashed, albeit under all the restraint I can throw, I was still able to have a terrible thought I know didn’t come from my heart.

Does it make a difference that I digressed immediately? I would like to think it does, but I can’t escape from the fact that through no choice of my own, my brain has been programmed to be afraid of something I don’t know. I can’t blame myself for this feeling – yet my attitude is my own, and I have allowed it to be influenced by propaganda and diatribe.

I like to think Australia is a very liberal country, but the truth is, there are many stuck with their redneck right wing ways, unfortunately, I have let myself be sullied by attitudes out government and media often portray regarding Muslims and Islam – we are lead to believe they are all backward, and hate the west with a passion, I let that hate bounce of me and turn into fear, even momentarily… but fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to the dark side..

Who knows, maybe I am over analysing – the baby was probably really ugly, and she might not have been a Muslim at all, the sun was out as well – that could explain her and the prams veil - either way, it doesn’t change the fact that I have been brainwashed, and I hate myself for it.

BAM!!!

Comments

on Oct 09, 2004

That's one problem with ear-based tactics. It effects the whole population, not just the terrorist themselves.

With enough blue-eyed suicide bombers, I'd bet the blue eyed people like myself would be feared.

SSG Geezer

on Oct 09, 2004

Not brainwashed Muggaz,
Just subconsciously linking the pram with terror tactics that have probably been used before. When the wackos get 13 year olds to be
suicide bombers, why not a woman with a pram full of Semtex instead of a baby. It was due to the covering that got you thinking.

Or you could have been watching old Loony Tunes cartoons, where the vertically challenged mobster popped out of a stroller with a tommy-gun.

Muggaz

on Oct 09, 2004

Or you could have been watching old Loony Tunes cartoons, where the vertically challenged mobster popped out of a stroller with a tommy-gun.

Whoooah that made me laugh!!!

That aside, XX, you raise a valuable point... terrorism is just crazy, it doesn't achieve anything at all, and it only hinders the 'struggle' of the general populace of places like Palestine. She was probably a muslim from Malaysia just from looking at her, yet my brain somehow triggered that she could have a bomb in her pram...

Just subconsciously linking the pram with terror tactics that have probably been used before.

I don't link guys walking onto a bus as being suicide bombers, like I dont link all people with dreadlocks to be hippy liberal voters - I linked it because we are inundated with so much negative news to do with Islamic terrorism, like the Arab countries are brainwashing their populace with anti American and anti-semetic propaganda.

The media controls the masses, and in some coutries, the government controls the media. If I am linking it sub-conciously, it's because the media has told me about it, call me naive, but i would never assume a lady in Melbourne would have a freaken bomb if I hadn't been brainwashed with so much fear and threats? Australia's anti-terror message is "don't be alarmed, be alert" It breeds an attitude of constant sceptisicm that shouldn't even exist in a place like Melbourne.

Like I said, it was a nice day, it was jusy a young mum taking her child for a stroll...

BAM!!!

trina_p

on Oct 09, 2004

Her race and religion etc aside - She probably was covering the baby from the sun - Unless the pram has it's own sun protection cover or reverse handles - I'd lay odds that your sisters would cover our neice/nephew when walking in the sun just like I have a blanket pegged to the front of Elana's pram when we're out walking.

EmperorofIceCream

on Oct 09, 2004

To Muggaz:

Damn you people are dim. In the world we actually live in, rather than the cloud-cuckoo land of the kind of world some of us seem to think we ought to live in, the kind of suspicion that crossed your mind is inevitable and appropriate.

Are you brainwashed if you look both ways before crossing a street? Are you brainwashed if you drive with the flow of traffic rather than against it? Are you brainwashed if, when confronted by a situation which may involve danger, it occurs to you to be wary?

I lived in England during the height of the IRA's campaigns against the British. I still regularly check trash-cans for suspicious packages; I look under seats in restaurants; I report unattended packages left in train and bus stations. I remain wary because the society I grew up in long ago accepted and learned to live with the real possibility of the occurrence of politically inspired terrorist violence.

And spending time whining over being brainwashed as a consequence was not high on anyone's list of priorities - dealing with reality was. Has your precious fantasy of a world without violence been contaminated and compromised? Good. You might just grow up as a consequence.

Muggaz

on Oct 09, 2004

And spending time whining over being brainwashed as a consequence was not high on anyone's list of priorities - dealing with reality was. Has your precious fantasy of a world without violence been contaminated and compromised? Good. You might just grow up as a consequence.

If naivity and hope is a crime of being a good person, guilty as charged.

I am not happy in the bitterness and fear you live in. As long as I can hope in the good nature of my fellow man, there is reason to live.

Sure, I was afraid of this woman, for a split second, nothing more, and next time I see a Muslim woman in the streets where I live and work, I will know not to assume she has any maliscious intent at all, and I will smile towards her like I will smile towards any white, black or asian person.

They say the wisest of us all have an open mind like a child... I hope I never grow up in that respect.

BAM!!!

Janders

on Oct 09, 2004

Emperor~ To live in fear of every person is no way to go through life. Any person no matter what their race or religion could potentially harm us, should we be fearful of any person we don't know? Living with prejudice is a good way to isolate yourself from some wonderful people.

Muggaz~ Good article. I can identify with a lot of what you said.

WiseFawn

on Oct 09, 2004

They say the wisest of us all have an open mind like a child... I hope I never grow up in that respect.

BAM!!!

There just aren't enough insightfuls!

How human of you to have that second and how wonderfully human that it only lasted a second.

EmperorofIceCream

on Oct 10, 2004

am not happy in the bitterness and fear you live in.

I wasn't aware that I lived in bitterness and fear. But I guess I must, since you say I do. My, your insight is astounding - almost on a par with that other fantasist, Maxwell.

EmperorofIceCream

on Oct 10, 2004

To live in fear of every person is no way to go through life.

Is stupidity contagious? Exercising proper caution is not 'living in fear'.

on Oct 10, 2004

"Keep a open mind, but not so open that the brain falls out." Source: ?

Iccream, I wouldn't want to be you. Sure, there is exploiters or just plain evil people, but it don't mean you have to act like it is EVERYONE.

Muggaz

on Oct 11, 2004

Muggaz~ Good article. I can identify with a lot of what you said.

Thanks for reading Janders

I am glad you liked it! I also agrewe with what you had to say to EoIC.

There just aren't enough insightfuls!How human of you to have that second and how wonderfully human that it only lasted a second

Thanks WF - once again, your comments here are always appreciated.

I wasn't aware that I lived in bitterness and fear. But I guess I must, since you say I do. My, your insight is astounding - almost on a par with that other fantasist, Maxwell.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, a form of wit none the less, so good show old chap. To be compared to the great SPM is a compliment the humble Muggaz is not worthy on, though I thank you for it all the same.

You may not live in a world of bitterness, I can only go by what I see though, and generally, you don't seem like a happy dude... I could be wrong, and hope I am.

Exercising proper caution is not 'living in fear'.

If you think being worried about an innocent Muslim woman walking the streets of Melbourne is normal caution...

"Keep a open mind, but not so open that the brain falls out."

I dont know who said that, but it is a quote I like all the same!

thanks for dropping by all

BAM!!!

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