Submitted by Said Hajem, Feb 10, 2007 12:11

Being that Arabic is my first language, when I came to America for a job, it was difficult to communicate. So I enrolled in English classes. Learning English is difficult, but not as difficult as finding a job in which I can use my Arabic skills. I have been driving a taxi in New York City for seven years. People seem to believe that taxi drivers have no job skills, can't speak English, and are too lazy to find a real job. The truth is, not many people will give a chance to a person who speaks Arabic and is Muslim. I came to this country believing that there was a better life for me. I thought that I would be given a chance to join the "melting pot of America." If people truly want to learn Arabic, than they should learn it from someone who speaks and knows the language. I learned English so I could survive in this country, it really wouldn't be too hard for others to learn Arabic so they can survive outside of this country.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.