September 11th is a day that lingers in everyone’s mind for different reasons. It is inevitable that America would fear terrorism after the tragic events that took place. It is even inevitable that America would fear the Muslim culture and turn the Muslim people into a scapegoat for the events. Since fear breeds desperation, America was looking for someone to be held accountable and in this case Muslim Americans and their culture fit the bill. Looking back at history we see that this situation has happened once before during the Second World War era. We viewed all Japanese Americans as potential threats to our society and as a result they were treated unjustly. Supposedly changes were supposed to ensure that discrimination of this type never occurred again; however, it is apparent that some level of discrimination remains. Because of our societies condemning of Muslim culture and faith many people have forgotten that Muslim Americans existed before September 11, 2001. It is as if Muslim Americans became a new breed of citizen, a citizen to be ostracized after September 11th, and as a result of this condemnation the general public has formed strong opinions about Muslim Americans and their culture. Some Americans realize the tribulations that face Muslim Americans today while others are still hopeful that one day our country will be purged of the culture.
Analyzing the plight of Muslim Americans, many of these citizens have faced difficult situations. The common misconception that the public has formed from September 11th is that Islam fosters and supports violence and aggression towards other cultures or infidels. The public has created their own personal views of Islam and as a result the public has more hostility and resistance towards the religion. This can undoubtedly be accredited to media bias that leaves out essential parts of events to try to influence your perception of the topic. The consequences of this media bias effect the Muslim American population in multiple aspects of their life, but none for the better. This New York Times report depicts the rising discrimination that Muslim Americans are facing in the work place. This discrimination is not limited to the work place. The discrimination that Muslims face can be seen in multiple aspects of life. Essentially it is a multi tiered problem that Muslim Americans face in their daily lives. ABC News reporter Bianna Golodryga went undercover to show the bias that Muslim Americans are subjected to. Her experience showed an increase in discrimination in rural areas as opposed to more populated metropolises. She also noted increased hostility in airports and in the full interview, Muslim American women testify to receiving differential treatment in airports as well. The problems Muslim Americans encounter are a constant aspect of their life in America. Muslim Americans obviously are not oblivious to the discrimination and are starting to counter the extremism, hate and violence that is seen in our society. Some Muslim American organizations have attempted to change the direction Muslim youths are headed by offering alternative conflict resolution and leadership skills. They are educating the child in hopes that they will hopes that they will one day bring about change for a better future.
Referencing the other thought spectrum there are people that feel as though the treatment given to Muslim Americans is deserved or understandable. The other side opposes Muslim American beliefs or lifestyles and wishes to have no association with the culture. There are people whose beliefs are so bias towards Muslim Americans that they go to great lengths to try to make their point clear. This man’s beliefs against Muslim Americans brought him to critical point that could have had tragic consequences. In referencing the ground zero mosque project, Newt Gingrich compared the construction of the site of worship to Nazi’s placing signs next to the holocaust museum. His bias towards Muslim Americans prevents him from looking at the Mosque as a place of worship, but rather a symbol that will act as a constant reminder to America about September 11th. During the 2008 presidential elections the media spun president Obama’s religious affiliations in an attempt to use it against his campaign. Rumors that should technically have no influence in a campaign were spread because of the public’s negative affiliation with Muslims. The figures in the media knowingly have a huge impact on the average citizen who watches their shows. Their testimonies and thoughts become intertwined within the beliefs of America and ultimately fuels the bias experienced by Muslim American. These people are able to rally the masses and shape our public opinions
The public has also felt very strongly about the conversion of Muslim Americans to Christianity. Public organizations such as the American Family Association, which is an EXTREMELY biased organization, have vocally stated that Muslim Americans should be deported and that immigration of Muslim people should cease. These organizations show their disdain Muslim Americans by threatening and defaming Islam and Muslims and using incredulous statements to make their point heard. This consequently can only breed more violent acts upon the Muslim community. Contrary to the desires for Muslims to convert to Christianity, there has been an increase in Christian conversions to the Islamic faith since September 11th. This shows that not only are some Americans capable of separating Muslim Americans from the terrorist attacks, but also that they are able to understand the Islamic faith.
The blog is meant to inform readers of the trials that face Muslim Americans and the bias that influence our thoughts to perceive Muslim Americans in this negative light. When most of society judges others they do so silently; however something enables society to become more vocal when judging Muslim Americans. Maybe it’s because our society feels supported by the media in our beliefs so we don’t worry about the culture we are discriminating against. Or maybe it’s because not enough is known about the struggles that are faced by Muslim Americans. Regardless of why, my goal is to heighten your awareness of Muslim Americans, their culture, and the problems they are faced with today.
Your analysis accurately depicts the underlying issues of why disdain is felt for Muslim Americans. However, I was quite disturbed by your comparison of the current treatment of Muslim Americans to the treatment of Japanese Americans after WWII. I would not say that ill feelings and "work camps" are remotely similar. Though both cultures faced leery attitudes, the struggle of Muslim Americans is nothing compared to that of Japanese Americans. Muslim Americans are treated with caution for obvious reasons. People of their faith in fact did commit heinous crimes against America, so how can we not be suspicious? Though this may be judgmental, I think these feelings are only natural. I also would be cautious in calling Muslim American struggles a plight. It is hardly a plight compared to treatment that other cultures and races have faced. Muslims are not being quarantined or deported, they are simply looked at suspiciously. Biased and radicals may have opinions that are extreme, but that is the case for any subject and therefore should not be regarded very highly. This is something that time will heal, as the sting of September 11th decreases accordingly. I have to think that the issues with Muslim Americans is pretty reasonable considering 9/11 happened less than 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI think that the diction in your analysis is for the most part extremely precise and concrete; however, just like Ms. Ed stated some aspects are pretty strong and suggest some bias in your stance. If opinions and comparisons are too strong they take away from your argument. It seems like your analysis has two polar opposite sides: yours and the radicals that you quote. You have distinct opinions on the topic and obviously the radicals, like the American Family Association, do too so I feel like there isn’t a solid side to 100% believe. However, apart from that your analysis is very well put together and organized.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the two commenters that some of the statements about hostility are extreme, particularly the analogy with the Japanese and WWII, which is unfortunate because although the experiences of Japanese Americans were far worse, the basic structure of analogy is correct. More precision would help this problem. I do not, however, disagree with your basic premise, which I think is well argued. In this, I disagree with Ms. Ed that the Muslim Americans are treated with caution for "obvious reasons." There is no more connection between terrorism and Islam than between terrorism and Christianity or terrorism and Judaism.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify, my statement of "obvious reasons," I want to point out that I was not insinuating that the Muslim faith is remotely responsible for terrorism. I was simply indicating that many Americans do, however wrongly, associate Islam with 9/11 for the reason that the terrorists just so happened to have practiced the Muslim faith. This is not a justification for suspicion, this is just pointing out the association that many Americans have made.
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