A WWE star recalled his harrowing experience during 9/11 in which he was subjected to racial discrimination. The attacks on the Twin Towers in New York 21 years ago remains one of the darkest moments in US history with thousands killed and many more mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Mustafa Ali, 36, who was raised in Chicago and is of Pakistani descent, was in school at the time of the disaster and took to Twitter to explain what he endured on that day. His teacher asked the students to express how they felt about the attacks and the combat star was left astonished by what followed.
“The teachers thought it would be best to let the students talk and express their emotions," Ali said. "I remember raising my hand and saying, 'I can't believe this happened to us.' The kid in front of me turned around and he said, 'Us? What are you talking about? Your people did this.' I looked around at the class, I looked at the teacher. I was hoping someone would say something to help me or defend me. No one said anything.”
The purpose of Ali sharing the horrific ordeal was to express why the United States Championship, a title he has pursued over the last few weeks, means so much to him. “Despite being born here in this country, despite being an American. I'm not American enough. To me, [the United States Championship] means I belong,” he added.
“Despite being born here in this country, despite being an American. Despite being a former police officer, a guy that actually wanted to protect people — that was willing to put his life on the line — I’m not American enough.
“So the United States Championship, sure it means more TV time, it means more money. It means a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it means I belong. And that’s all I’ve been chasing for my entire life.
“I don’t know how I’m gonna become the United States Champion, I don’t know when I’m gonna become the United States Champion, but I know why I wanna become the United States Champion. Now you do, too.”
Since arriving on the main roster Ali has yet to win a championship, but he is more than expressed how determined he is to break his title duck in WWE and claim the coveted US championship.
It is currently held by Austin Theory, who caused an upset when he defeated Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match to win the prestigious belt for the second time at Survivor Series last month.
