StoryCorps Shorts: You're My Line
Special | 2m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
Asma was assaulted for speaking Swahili; she talks with her attacker's sister, Dawn.
Asma Jama was assaulted in a Minnesota Applebee’s for speaking Swahili. The attacker’s sister reached out to Asma to support her.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, Reva & David Logan Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the...
StoryCorps Shorts: You're My Line
Special | 2m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
Asma Jama was assaulted in a Minnesota Applebee’s for speaking Swahili. The attacker’s sister reached out to Asma to support her.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipDawn Sahr (DS): I wanted to reach out to you so much.
I just wanted to know that you were okay.
That was my biggest concern.
Asma Jama (AJ): That was my biggest concern, too.
I used to be carefree.
I used to go everywhere by myself.
I would say "Hi!"
to strangers.
But after what happened to me, I felt like I had to look over my shoulder every time I go outside.
DS: I was so sorry you had to go through that.
AJ: Did you stop talking to her because of what she did to me?
DS: I did.
Yeah.
AJ: Why can't you forgive her?
DS: Because then it's telling Jodie that it's okay; and it's not okay.
Do you feel like you can't speak Swahili in public anymore?
AJ: Yes, because I realized I don't belong.
I have to prove myself every single day, and it makes me feel like I had to give up a lot of who I was.
DS: I'm going to pray that you can eventually become that person you used to be.
AJ: I will get there.
It's going to take me a while.
But for you to stand up for somebody you don't know and to say that what she did was unacceptable, that meant the world to me.
DS: I will support you in any possible way I can.
You know, they say blood's thicker than water and you stand behind your family no matter what.
Well, you gotta draw the line somewhere.
And you're my line.
AJ: Thank you.
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Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, Reva & David Logan Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the...