Shortly after last month's terrorist attacks, two bricks ferried handwritten notes with crude, racist remarks through the front window of the Old Town Islamic Bookstore in Alexandria. Store manager Hazim Barakat was angry and frazzled. The Palestinian immigrant also was unprepared for what happened next.

About 15 bouquets of flowers and more than 50 cards -- some with money -- arrived at his store. People from as far away as Tennessee and Nebraska called with condolences. A local businessman, who would not give Barakat his name, paid for a new window. Christian ministers and a rabbi dropped by to express their support.
[read more]

thanks to MetaFilter

While there has been a lot of coverage of America's dark side, the racist, jingoist, saber rattling side, it is these actions that demonstrate the real America. Even Bush called for tolerance and visited a mosque. There has been more a positive awareness of our muslim neighbors since 9-11. We can only hope that it is this America that prevails.