In Arab, Alabama, a "social experiment" garnered the kind of result not likely to garner many media reports. Credit where credit is due to CNN for reporting this story, and reporting it like this:
Hailey Woldt put on the traditional black abaya, expecting the worst. The last time she'd worn the Muslim dress that, with a head scarf, covered everything but her face, hands and feet, she was in Miami International Airport, where the stares were many and the security check thorough. This time, she was in a small town called Arab. Arab, Alabama, no less. "I expected people to say, 'What is this terrorist doing here? We don't want your kind here,' " said Woldt, a 22-year-old blue-eyed Catholic, recalling her anticipation before stepping into a local barbecue joint. "I thought I wouldn't even be served." Instead, Woldt's experiment in social anthropology opened her own eyes. Apart from the initial glances reserved for any outsider who might venture through a small-town restaurant's doors, her experience was a pleasant one. On her way to the bathroom, Woldt said, "One woman's jaw dropped, but then she smiled at me. ... That little smile just makes you feel so much better."
The nationwide experiment is being run by Akbar Ahmed, head of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., who began the project to "discuss American identity, Muslim identity, and find out how well this country upholds its ideals in a post-September 11 world," according to CNN. It seems the citizens of little Arab, Ala. did a better job of adhering to those ideals than a man who picked the town of Arab, undoubtedly for its gimmicky name, thereby reinforcing untrue and damaging stereotypes about Muslims. Doesn't he know not all Muslims are Arab? For shame, Mr. Ahmed. It is nice to see young, idealistic college students and their liberal professors learn first-hand that their small-town brethren are not all the backward racists they think they are. It's just too bad our famously open-minded friends have to use subterfuge and social sting operations to figure that out. Update: Yes, for the record, it is Alabamians. As an Alabamian myself, (who also doesn't hate Muslims!), I can vouch.