Of all the videos being circled around, this one should shout from the rooftops that “If you’re an American, you’re an American. Period.”
ABC’s What Would You Do?, a reality show dedicated to displaying the “true” nature of the average American citizen, came up with a social experiment that started off as would be expected. Two actors – one a Muslim worker in a restaurant and the other a patron and bigot – set the stage for how a slice of American society reacts to racism when thrust aggressively into their face.
The young man walks into the sandwich shop to find a Muslim behind the counter taking orders. The patron shows his ire and racism by refusing to be waited on by the unassuming employee. A few customers show their displeasure for the racist patron’s comments and one person goes as far as demanding the bigot leave. Unfortunately, most people just watched or even joined in all be it to a lesser degree. The highlight of the video is when a soldier (in uniform) walks in for service.
As he his trying to order, the bigot patron badgers the soldier about 9/11, and ?asks why would he allow this Muslim to wait on him. The soldier tries to politely shrug off the patron but he won’t go away.?Finally, after some more taunting, the soldier angrily tells him to “buy your chips and get out.” Of course the patron does not listen and continues to harass the Muslim worker.
Finally fed up, the soldier then shouts:
“Get out. Put the chips down and get out.”
The racist replies:
“You’re telling me to get out?”
Soldier:
“Yes, you have a choice to shop anywhere else, just like he has a choice to practice his religion anywhere. That’s why I wear the uniform, so any one can live free in this country. Leave the man alone. Buy your stuff and leave.”
Watch the exchange below for when the soldier speaks his poignant line “If you’re an American, you’re an American. ?Period.”
The rest, they say, is history:
Edited/Published by: SB and JW
