DesiDentist,
I am also of Middle Eastern background (Persian)and, obviously, can only speak for myself when I say I am not worried at all about such potential bias....I've got my first interview in a couple days at Tufts and have actually had various friends asking me whether I'm worreid about having to deal w/my background. I can say that I'm currently working in a medical setting (Duke hospital) and have encountered nothing but support from fellow colleagues who've been expressing their concern regarding the various "incidents" we've all been hearing that have targeted those of Arabic/M.Eastern/Indian background. Of course, I'm not naive enough to think that just b/c someone has an MD/DMD or whatever that they're neccess. and inherently going to be open-minded and rational, for I know that is not the case. However, I know that I shouldn't allow any of these thoughts to affect the confidence with which I present myself at interviews. I.E., I'm not going to go there with "what ifs" lurking in my conscience regarding what the interviewer may be thinking about me. I'm sure that conversations regarding the tragedy will come up (irregardless of one's background) and I'm actually looking forward to the chance to discuss my opinion on how such groups do not reflect the opinions and attitudes of 99.9% of all Arab/Persian - Americans living in this country and express my sorrow over all that has happened. If the interviewer is still going to remain narrow-minded and biased towards me regardless of what I say, then I'm not sure if that'd be a school I would want to attend anyway.
well, that's my 2 cents.....!
