As the war in the Middle East continues, the fear that started it all is hardly being laid to rest as we are living in a constant state of reminders. Reminders such as intensified airport security, terror alerts, and constant news sources from the troubled Middle East do little to lessen the negative feelings towards this area of the world. Even if you can look past the fear of associated with the war, the economic burden this situation has caused the United States is enough to create ill feelings towards the Middle East and its inhabitants, let alone our government. These feelings however are often not directed at the appropriate sources and the burden of our blame falls on innocent victims: the Islamic community.
Since September 11, much doubt and suspicion from the American public has been leveled at not only the virtue of the Islamic faith, but at the people that practice it and their motivations. Such stigmas and hype are often associated with times of fear. In World War II, German citizens were shunned and Japanese citizens were sent to internment camps. This was nearly 70 years ago. But in today’s era of civilization, enlightenment, open-mindedness, it is startling to find we can so easily blame and condemn entire traditions of thought because of fear. It was understandable though not justified when we were first attacked, but now, ten years later, it is past time to stop. We live in country of freedom: freedom of speech, thought, press, and RELIGION. It is time that we begin acting like it.
Today, this message is slowly working to be heard. Recently there have been symposiums on the University of Texas’s campus regarding this issue. In Washington DC, many lobbyists are working to get the hearings involving a witch-hunt for radical Muslims called to a halt. These controversial congressional hearings only work to play up the fear that American Muslims are apt to become terrorists, and do little to foster a relationship that is already on a path of alienation. We are a country of mixed backgrounds and varied beliefs. That is the great beauty of our country. It is time for the American public to have faith in the American public, because ultimately, Muslim Americans are Americans too, who fight for, defend, and love our country.
2 comments:
Islamaphobia seems like a really silly word when you think about it. Our world is full of constant reminders what we are in a war in the Middle East. There is not a day that goes by when something does not remind you of our predicament.
I must say that the author of this editorial did an excellent job. To back up the explanation of their title they went into detail about when it meant to them. The examples given are real life situations that we as Americans face every day. The unnecessarily forceful pat downs at the air port, even the constant state of alertness everyone is in. With all the bad things associated with this there is no wonder people think of the Middle East in a negative way. We as a country have negative feelings towards the Middle East because of the actions of a few people. I think the author of this editorial makes an excellent point when saying “These feelings however are often not directed at the appropriate sources and the burden of our blame falls on innocent victims: the Islamic community.”
There is much evidence from all different time periods to support the statement about innocent victims. We have seen much of the same examples during WW II. The author did a great job providing proof to back up the claims being made. The closing of the article has strong meaning “It is time for the American public to have faith in the American public, because ultimately, Muslim Americans are Americans too, who fight for, defend, and love our country.”
Overall I think this was an excellent article very well written and supported. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is the articles where information was taken from. This is all good support and evidence of the claims but where did you find this information.
I read a very interesting blog posting titled Islamophobia by Lyndi Vauhan. In her blog she discusses how Americans are still living in fear and condemnation of the muslim community over 10 years after the September 11 attacks. I agree with Lyndi in many ways. Although it is true that the september 11 hijackers were indeed muslims, their actions should not reflect on the entire muslim community. If you stop and think about how many who claimed to be Christians have murdered innocent people, we should all be scared of Christians as well. The actions of a few should not be placed over an entire group of people making up the world's second largest organized religion. On the other hand, I believe that our Government is trying to reverse the tide. Acts like supporting the ground zero Mosque, providing grants for Muslim understanding, and aid to middle eastern protesters seem to be very politically driven. I feel that our Government is trying hard undo the damage caused by a few extremists, while at the same time protecting us from others who might want to follow their foot steps.
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