Ok, America, let’s admit it – we are Islamaphobic. It’s true. We’d like to think that we’ve been acting out of patriotism over the past few weeks in reaction to the so-called Ground Zero Mosque (hereinafter “SCGZM”) controversy, and it certainly sounds admirable to say that we oppose the SCGZM because the site of the World Trade Center is hallowed ground, however, the only way that such an argument works logically is if we oppose those who were actually responsible for the horrific tragedy that took place on 9/11 – not the entire religion of Islam. To blame all Muslims and oppose all Mosques is the logical equivalent of having a family member murdered by a person of a particular race and, from that day forward, blaming all members of that race and opposing any of the members of said race from moving in next door to the crime scene. The fact that a recent Time poll reveals that nearly 70% of Americans buys into the aforementioned inductive reasoning argument, 33% of Americans believe that Muslims should be barred from running for President, and 24% of Americans mistakenly believe that Obama is a Muslim (not to mention the largely overlooked yet very important fact that we are even having a discussion about the SCGZM in the first place) can only speak to one truth if we are honest with ourselves – America, we are Islamaphobic.
As with any other phobia, the first key step to overcoming it is acceptance. America, we must own up to the fact that we have a real problem with the idea that Muslims live in America. Let’s not kid ourselves. The other day my mother, who resides deep in the Red State Midwest, sent me an e-mail forward showing pictures of Muslims praying at the corner of 42nd and Madison in New York City. Contained in the body of the e-mail was the following pure, unedited, uncensored message from one American to his fellow Americans:
This is in New York City on Madison Avenue, not in France or the Middle East or Yemen or Kenya. Is there a message here???? Yes, there is, and they are claiming America for allah. If we don’t wake up soon, we are going to “politically correct” ourselves right out of our own country! A Christian Nation cannot put up a Christmas scene of the baby Jesus in a public place, but the Muslims can stop normal traffic every Friday afternoon by worshiping in the streets… Something is happening in America that is reminiscent of what is happening in Europe . This is Political Correctness gone crazy…
Notice the language and how it instinctively draws a division between “our country” and anybody who practices Islam – as if it is a given that Muslims are not Americans. The author’s understanding of who does NOT constitute an American is clear – anybody who worships “allah.” And if there was any doubt about who DOES constitute an American, the author makes this point crystal clear in referring to America as “A Christian Nation.” Notwithstanding the fact that the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution expressly prohibits America from declaring ANY one religion as the national religion, the larger point to this e-mail is that it is symptomatic of the fact that, as a nation, we have a problem with Islam. Sure, you could also argue that, aside from the problem with Islam, we have a 200 year-old problem admitting that America is anything but the exclusive province of Christianity in general. Nevertheless, discussions like these take that general proposition a step further by specifically declaring that Muslims are not Americans.
Once we are willing to admit that we have a problem, we should next seek to understand WHY we have a problem with Islam. Although the reasons may be multiple in number, one of the main reasons why we have a problem with Islam was articulated by one of the callers this past Friday who called into SIRIUS Radio’s “Make It Plain” with Mark Thompson. During the show in which members of The Urban Politico discussed this topic with the show’s host, one self-identified conservative Christian called in from Pennsylvania and stated that Islam is a violent religion. As support for this proposition, he offered one passage from the Bible discussing love for thy neighbor, and one passage from the Qur’an discussing violence against thine enemies. The problem with that type of an argument, as we quickly pointed out to the caller, is that there are several passages from the Bible such as Genesis 22:2-13 that discuss violence not only against thine enemies but against our loved ones (Abaraham to sacrifice his son Isaac), and likewise there are plenty of passages from the Qur’an that discuss love and peace towards our fellow man, such as:
“Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden (paradise) whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous – Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain (their) anger and pardon (all) men – for God loves those who do good.” Chapter 3, Verses 133-134
The point is, we can pick and choose passages ALL DAY LONG that conveniently (and mistakenly) make Christianity or Islam (or Judaism or Hinduism or….etc.) look like whatever type of religion we want them to look like, but the fact of the matter is, Islam is not a violent religion. So let’s not play that game. (Moreover, the specific teachings of Islam are irrelevant to a group’s First Amendment right to establish an Islamic place of worship within a mile radius of the World Trade Center, but I digress.)
Once we educate ourselves as to what Islam is, and more importantly, as to what it is not, we then need to take steps to overcome this fear of all things Islam. One of the best ways to do that is to acknowledge the fact (not an opinion but a FACT) that the SCGZM is not a threat to our way of life. Nor is it a political symbol of achievement by “our enemies.” What enemies? There are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world – surely we don’t mean to suggest that all 1.5 billion are our enemy. A group of 20 or so misguided psychopaths who were backed up by a few Al Qaeda terrorists cells attacked us on 9/11. At most, these cowards comprise a few percentage points of the 1.5 billion Muslims around the globe, including the millions of Muslims who are proud United States citizens, the thousands of Muslims who fight for us in the military overseas as we speak, and the dozens of innocent Muslims who lost their lives on 9/11.
Lastly, we must come to terms with and accept the concept that Muslims ARE Americans. Before we make another statement using the words “Americans” and “Muslims” separately as if the terms are mutually exclusive, let that fact sink in for a moment. The reason why America is the greatest country on the face of the planet is because we are a melting pot of diversity. One of the rules that comes along with being a diverse nation of freedom is that, just like back in kindergarten, we all have to learn how to get along. Moving the Mosque will not solve America’s Islamaphobia problem. It will, at most, put a proverbial band-aid over a wide gaping wound that shows no signs of healing itself anytime soon. Make no mistakes, America, we have a problem and the time for dealing with that problem, the time for justice, and the time for living up to our ideals is always right now.
Article by Urban Politico
The Urban Politico is a collaboration of four writers, who hold each other in high esteem, to address social, political and other issues which resonate within the populations in which they feel most connected; race, age, socioeconomic and political status, personal experience and any other identifying factor that can join us, rather than divide us. The Janitor is an attorney in NYC and he and Godson worked together as organizers on the 2008 Obama Campaign. Godson, a published author, is currently Chief of Staff for a State Representative in Philadelphia. The Fed, as the name implies, is in the Federal Gov in Washington D.C. and works with law makers on the Hill. These 3 writers share very similar views on many issues, however, all 3 have a different perspective. This blog will be a platform that will bring forth many new and fresh ideas and concepts that are extremely noteworthy.
Urban has written 122 article(s) for us.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I may come across the wrong way but i think this ISLAMAPHOBIA is mainly a white thing. White people can get so scary sometimes perhaps in part b/c of their collective memory of the foul things they did 2 blacks and native Americans. As noted author and lecturer Dr. Cornell West said … White people were used 2 feeling safe and secure here in the United States of America. This was their land and th world was their oyster [so 2 speak]. Then after 9/11 happened, white people intrinsically knew what it felt like 2 feel unsafe. Dr. West said that basically after 9/11 white people became "niggarized". Most black people or their moms and dads, grand mothers and grand fathers, great-grandmothers and great grandfathers have been thru so much stuff in this country thru slavery, Jim Crow and Civil Rights [or the lack thereof] that this whole Muslim thing … is just one more thing here in Ameirca.
"White people can get so scary sometimes perhaps in part b/c of their collective memory of the foul things they did 2 blacks and native Americans."
That's how I see it. A thief thinks everybody steals.
"A thief thinks everybody steals."
Extra, double, triple word on that one lol.
For the most part it is a White problem. But I think it would be unfair to blame it solely on whites just like its unfair to say all Muslims are terrorist. SUrprisingly, I've heard quite a few ignorant statements from African Americans as well.
It's easy to assign misplaced fear when that fear has a face. It was Muslims who attacked us. It's Muslims that we see in these leaked videos claiming their disdain and hatred for American life. It's Muslims that we read in the news blowing up cars and trains and anything else that will have massive collateral damage. It's the equivalent to a white woman who grabs her purse as she walks passed a group of young black men. Or an old shopkeeper who follows young customers around his store as to deter them from stealing
I look at phobias as deeply ingrained reactions based on either perception (IE being force-fed that a certain group of people are a certain way) or personal experience. Some Americans feel both perception and experience as it relates to Muslims. It's an unfortunate bout of racial profiling that will happen for the rest of our time…but it is what it is. Tolerance is a concept that various ethnic groups have fought for yet we're very slow to give it. America is an ironic country on so many levels
"It’s easy to assign misplaced fear when that fear has a face"
I think people use that same logic to discriminate and hate on others. Terrorism doesn't have a face. Don't forget that the past 2 American terrorists called themselves Christians, and one of the biggest American terrorizing groups of our history, the KKK, still deems itself as doing "the Lord's work".
Us vs. Them mental thinking needs to be eliminated from the American psyche
great article
As with everything the easy way out is to generalize and become tribal without original thought or research. This human nature is the cause of the atrocities in society that were excused by the masses who didn't take the effort to think for themselves… it's the Nazi soldier at trial who lamented that "I was just following my orders". Thats why the white woman clutching her purse analogy is perfect, being that the purse clutchers probably have never had an act of violence exacted upon them by anybody black – we are just supposed to be thugs and thieves so she clutches her purse.
I think its futile to ask America to change our mentality from generalistic, racist thoughts. We are in the fast food era so doing things the quick and easy way is preferred. Just like its easy to buy a heart stopping burger versus thawing out the ground beef and making one yourself, its easier to paint all Muslims as xyz versus looking into it and diversifying our prejudice.
As far as the Islamic Center is concerned, I just wish people understood that it's not ON/IN ground zero. It's a few blocks away. So people want them to move? Where do you draw the line? Is 6 blocks better than 4? It doesn't make sense.
Great article. The real issue is confronting our own ignorance. Once we do that the rest of the conversation need not be had. It's only "insensitive" because people are blaming all of Islam for the evils of few.
If we blamed all of Christianity for slave owners and the Klan… where would we be?
America should just declare itself a Christian nation and stop the arguments. No more Mosques….period.
What do you folks think? I am a Citizen now, but as a foreigner, I expected clear rules to play by. If we have freedom of religion, why is this even a matter for discussion? Seriously!!! Clearly we don't have freedom of religion in practical terms, so the U.S. should stop faking and fronting and admit that it IS a Christian Nation….just like the middle eastern countries are Islamic.
Chuuch!
The US can't declare itself a Christian nation because it's not, and neither were many of Americas "founding fathers".
Declaring itself as one would make churches as equal as government in policing society, which is a horrible idea.
"Declaring itself as one would make churches as equal as government in policing society, which is a horrible idea."
I say that's nonsense – not because you say so or because I disagree with your line of thought. The problem with the U.S. today is its inconsistency. If we are NOT a Christian Nation, then why all the fight to preserve "Christian values"? I am Christian, but I see this inconsistency and find it annoying.
When you make the rules for living in your country clear, immigrants will follow them. BELIEVE that Muslims will not stop coming if the U.S. declares itself Christian. Instead, they won't be surprised if you don't let them build Mosques. I know I can't go preaching the Gospel in Mecca. . .and I therefore act accordingly if I'm there.
So Americans….what will it be? If we're not a Christian Nation, why even humor this nonsense with discussion? Seriously.
The Founders never intended us to be called a Christian nation (hence the freedome of religion stuff.) America is SUPPOSED to practice civil religion (morals and ethnics, more or less). As you've noted though, America is- and will probably always remain- a puritanical society based off Judea-Christian beliefs.
Why we can't throw Islam in there is beyond me; I mean, it's the only other monotheistic religion… we have to stick together!
Can't we all just… get along?! I suppose that's too much to ask.
It wasnt until you made this comment I realized that foreign countries are probably looking at us and people no longer desire to come here for the reasons they once did smh.
This is a great article. If only the world were this simple. Its so easy to say now is the time to educate ourselves but it wont really happen. I've never been a person that has really gotten into stereotypes (probably because Im black) but never have I had ill will or ill feeling toward any community. The quotation from the Qur'an was enlightening. I watched a focus group last night on Fox (sue me) and alot of the opinions of the people opposing the Mosque made sense. Then there was a Muslim lady that was trying her best to represent the average Muslim in America. The hard working, peace keeping person; the other people in the focus group were trying to hear nothing she had to say. They yelled over her and you could almost watch her heart break right there on the tv. What's scary is that the people opposed to the Mosque are really passionate about it. I'm starting to believe that at this point they may want to concede and move it elsewhere because even if it is built it wont be safe for them to worship there.
The building of Mosque is being protested all over the country. The ignorance that is coming up as a result of this issue is alarming. Alot of the Republicans that are adding fuel to the fire of this debate were for the Mosque two years ago and something so sensitive and so important has been turned into a political issue and its sad.
Watching Christians and Muslims argue over this issue is like watching two retards battle it out in Final Jeopardy, neither one of them have a clue. The idea that one of them is somehow better than the other is like saying Stalin is better than Hitler.
I'd just like to state that the Abraham sacrificing Isaac was a bad example and I'm not sure how you got away with that. No need to go back and forth, but if one is going to use something to support their argument they should know the complete context of it. Tis all.
Beboop.
Islam is a terrible stupid religion and when they get enough of their people they like to impose their stupid religion on others, that being said we can’t give up our values and deny them the chance to use their private property as they see fit.
We have so many muslims around here I can't even get a slice of pepperoni pizza without somebody asking "Are you sure?"
Islamaphobic to the core. That's not what's surprising, it's the boldness, the audacity of those who in one instance claim that America is all about freedom of this and freedom of that, and in the next instance they vehemently protest against extending the very freedoms they tout whenever the mood fits.
Islam doesn't even support my way of living in any sense of the word, so I'm not out to defend the religion because I will be the first to admit that I don't understand everything it stands for, but it's not difficult to comprehend the need for equality across the board no matter how much I may dislike what I do and don't fully understand.
The most interesting aspect to all of this is where most of the hate is arising, from the mouths of so-called Christians. Equally interesting how there's so much disdain for the Muslim American population as a whole, yet where was the same vehement disdain when Catholic priests were, and still are, accused of molesting little boys and girls in mass/ en masse at certain times over the last 5, 10, 15 years? Oh, that's right, nowhere.
The black Muslim American community has been uncharacteristically silent on the matter… probably with very good reason, but they may need to speak up sooner or later because this kind of hatred does not just up and dissipate… it spreads, and one can't help but wonder when it will start affecting black Muslims in America.