September 11^th is a day the world will never forget.  Thousands of innocent lives were taken, and many more continue to grieve their losses.  It was a day filled with terrorism, and the word “terror” means: one that inspires fear.  How then, is it possible, to have a person residing in America take pleasure in such a horrific incident?  The Reluctant Fundmentalist, by Mohsin Hamid, is a controversial book that provokes such thought. 

“I stared as one-and then the other-of the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center collapsed.  And then I smiled.  Yes, despicable as it may sound, my initial reaction was to be remarkably pleased.”   This is the direct quote from the previously mentioned novel, and it is seemingly disturbing to any person who has anti-terrorist views.  Who is this smile coming from exactly?  Is it the smile of a terrorist sympathizer?  A traitor?  Or perhaps it is of a conflicting patriot?  Regardless, one needs to look into depth of this person’s life before making that judgment call. 

The man who made this disturbing remark is a man known as “Changez.”  He immigrated to the United States from Pakistan in order to attend Princeton.   He lived in New York, received a prestigious job at an elite valuation firm, and fell in love with an American woman, Erica.  He seems like a harmless person, devoted to his education and his surroundings as an independent citizen.  Throughout the novel, Changez makes interesting references to the American viewpoints of life.  For instance, the opening of the book begins with conflicting symbols: his beard, and his love for America.  “Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance?  Ah, I see I have alarmed you.  Do not be frightened by my beard: I am a lover of America.”  These conflicting symbols represent ignorance in the typical American: one group of people committed a terrible crime; therefore, those peoples’ characteristics become redflags of danger. 

Upon Changez’ visit with Erica’s family; Erica’s father is not reluctant to categorize people of Pakistan.  He asks Changez if he drinks. “I had a Pakistani working for me once.  Never drank.”  He makes this remark, assuming that Changez does not drink either.  The man continues by asking Changez of how things were back home.  When Changez replies with a “good,” the man then counter argues with, “Economy’s falling apart, no?  Corruption, dictatorship, the rich living like princes while everyone else suffers.  Solid people, don’t get me wrong.  I like Pakistanis.  But the elite has raped that place well and good, right?  And fundamentalism.  You guys have got some serious problems with fundamentalism.”  Aside from the poking and prodding from Erica’s father, while at the airport, Changez has to undergo more safety procedures than most other people.  When asked why he isvisiting the United States, he replies that he lives there.  “That is not what I asked you, sir.” 

No wonder for the conflicting internal views of Changez!  America is, by far and large, a place of freedom and opportunity.  But Americans have the fault of categorizing people.  As an American, I can say this is true.  I have implicitly done this myself; it becomes an unconscious bias that burrows within our minds, not reachable by metacognition.  I am not saying that Americans are the only ones who go about this unfortunate way of thinking.  It is of normal human nature to develop certain biases that are set off by priming.  Priming is a main source of this bias in America.  Just turn on the television or open a magazine.  Everything we ought to believe is set and programmed for us.  Sure, we have the freedom to determine what we believe in; but when the norm is labeled as “good” (such as labeling all Pakistanis as possible terrorists), it becomes normal, everyday practice.  Wedon’t think twice about it.

Changez did not fully implement this American way of thinking; therefore, it was much more noticeable to him.  It most likely struck a nerve with him.  As I evaluate the scene of Changez smiling at the death of thousands of Americans, I see a conflicted patriot.  He loves America and all that the land has to offer, yet he is confused and disgusted by its bias.  He is a faithful patriot, expressing his love throughout the book, grateful for all of his opportunities, yet he gets slapped on the hand for being different from the typical American.  If I were Changez, I would feel conflicted being in my own skin.  Would I call myself a Pakistani or an American?  Or would I say I am a hybrid of both?  Would I smile at the defeat of a nation so wrapped up in its own world, or would I cry at their expense?  I cannot excuse this character of any wrong doings, nor can I be angry at him neither.  Isimply cannot pretend to understand the complexity of his situation.  This topic is very hot and up for debate, and there will never be one certain answer to the question:  Why did Changez smile at the day of September 11^th?

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