How did the events of 9/11 cause Zeitoun to experience Hurricane Katrina not just as a natural disaster, but also as a cultural conflict?

Answer:

The events of 9/11 created a climate of suspicion and profiling toward Muslim and Arab Americans, which transformed Zeitoun's experience of Hurricane Katrina from a natural disaster into a cultural conflict. Despite Zeitoun's humanitarian actions—such as using his canoe to rescue neighbors and feed stranded animals—he was viewed through the lens of post-9/11 prejudice. Instead of being recognized as a hero, he was arrested by militarized authorities, held in a makeshift prison, and denied his basic rights because he was profiled as a potential terrorist. This treatment highlights the clash between his actual identity as a helpful citizen and the negative cultural perceptions fueled by the aftermath of 9/11.