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JNO, thanks, you got the point I was trying to make exactly.
The thought dawned on me because I am currently reading "Journal" by Helene Berr, she has just been forced to wear the yellow star and is angry and upset about it, she says how she has to keep her head up high and be brave about it.
Whilst walking in the street in Paris a man walked up to her and said loudly (so everyone could hear) "a French Catholic shakes your hand.....and when it's over, we'll let them have it!" she noted that she wanted to laugh out loud and that it was a decent thing to do, but she ends the tale thus "in the street you can't avoid being a representitive; going out is a trial."
It made me wonder, how many Muslims feel the steely glare of ignorance and stupidity (real or imagined) when they step out?
How many women with their hair or face covered feel they have to justify themselves to others, that their behaviour is under constant scrutiny?
How many idiots pull their children and nieces closer to them everytime a Muslim passes for fear he's a paedophile?
This book is a bit girly at the moment, but, it is fascinating to read how unabated or unchallenged, simple prejudice can lead to the dehumanisation of a whole group of people.
Lest we forget.