Nigerians fear backlash after plane attack

The arrest of a young Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a Detroit bound Northwest Airlines plane on Christmas Day has raised concerns about terrorism among U.S. travelers.

But as the Associated Press reports, the news has also prompted fears about a potential backlash from Nigerians living in the United States.

President Obama seemed to acknowledge that possibility himself when he interrupted his holiday vacation on Monday for his first of several comments about the terrorist incident.

"As a nation, we will do everything in our power to protect our country," Obama said. But he also warned that Americans "will never give in to fear or division. We will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values."

Obama indicated that America's values of openness and respect for diversity are not its weakness but its strength. "That's who we are as Americans; that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way. And we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the new year and beyond."