Implications post

The future of America's relationship with Muslim Americans is one that is not so easily foretold.   It is not a question of whether or not Muslim Americans will ever be treated completely fairly, but more of an issue about how long this change will take.  In order for this change to happen, America needs to become educated enough to form their own opinions about the culture and not listen to media "myths" which morphs their opinions.   This transition to a more “conscious” America will take time and cannot be measured since everyone progresses at different speeds.  Until that time comes however our society will continue to discriminate against Muslim Americans.  The change has been and will continue to be gradual with small steps being taken by both sides to rectify the problems.  It’s difficult to definitively say exactly how long it will take for our country to grow enough to separate the fact from the fiction.  Until the solution is expedited, our society will remain in a “limbo” state.

Others Are Out There

As we all know the media has enough power and influence to move the masses.  The media can easily sway the public opinion in any direction, whether that is for the better or worse.  In the situation with Muslim Americans, picture the media as an overly hungry bear. The media constantly feeds off the public’s interest levels and there is no better way to keep people interested than by making situations controversial.  By only associating negativity with Muslim Americans the media is subliminally encouraging the idea that Muslim Americans correlate to negativity.  If I were to ask you to name two Muslim affiliated organizations the first two you would probably think of would be al Qaeda, and the Taliban but both organizations carry with them a deep negative connotation.  But what about organizations such as The American Muslim  (TAM), or Muslim American Society  (MAS); these organizations help show the other side to Muslim Americans.

The Muslim American Society is found across the United States and works to promote equality and freedoms that everyone is guaranteed.  This organization that roots itself within the community and helps give back to those they can.  This organization depicts Islam in its proper fashion, not the typical extremist form that is commonly seen by the public.  The American Muslim organization strives to promote peace and equality as well; however, this organization works by fostering a healthy environment for education.  Through discussion and conversation this organization expresses the true meaning and intentions of Islam.  These two organizations take nearly similar approaches to reach a common goal; to change the way the country and the world perceives Muslim Americans

What a Relief

Is our Treatment Justified

Let’s take a moment to look at the other thought spectrum.  Is Americas’ treatment of Muslim Americans deserved and justified.  Some sides advocate the discriminatory treatment of Muslim Americans while others strongly wish they were treated equally and fairly.  People feel that their assumptions about Muslim Americans are well deserved after the attack on the twin towers.  Knowing that a few members of a culture committed a major attack is all the ammunition they need to brand every member of the society a terrorist.  These people act as such because they fear another attack or hold a vendetta towards Muslims for the attacks.  Everyone reacts differently to situations and everyone’s experiences on that day are unique; some people lost loved ones while other peoples’ view on reality was shattered before their eyes.  These people are not wrong to fear or act differently but they also have not realized that they are condemning an entire culture because of a select few.  If these people were to apply the old adage, walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, their opinions and treatment of Muslim Americans may change.  I don’t think that people are able to realize that they are grouping different types of people, extremist and non-extremists, together as one, and as a result they don’t notice or care about the damage that is done to the innocent.  Once the general assumption that all Muslims are a threat is in your mind, actions and treatment towards all Muslims Americans change; resulting in offensive and hurtful treatment.  I personally don’t believe that fear, extremists’ actions, or anything can justify the discriminatory treatment of an entire culture, but others may feel as though our treatment is only a natural response to the events so it is justifiable.  What do you think?

What is needed

Muslim Americans have been singled out of our society because of the general misconceptions of Islam and the public’s misconception of the culture.  We associate Muslims with terrorists and Islam with radicalisms and because of this our society has a rift in its feelings towards Muslim Americans.  This schism of thoughts consist of one side discrediting the reputation and name of Muslim Americans, and the other side defending their rights and trying to correct the mistreatment of their culture.  This article, 11 things you should know about Islam, essentially summarizes my thoughts on what is needed to bring an end to polarized sides on this issue.  This article talks about how key political figures such as Sarah Palin, and Newt Gringrich, who have incredible political influence, are painting a negative image of Muslim Americans.  This is an immeasurable problem since many Americans may adopt their philosophies just because of the politicians’ political stature.  The media in this way helps facilitate the problems that Muslim Americans face.  My solution to the problem is education.  I believe that the only way to bring an end to the polarization of the sides is for the general public to educate themselves about Islam and Muslim culture.   The public cannot rely on media bias to formulate an opinion of this subject.  By self-education, people will learn for themselves what is fact or fiction and be able to make their own decisions about the culture. 

Islam in a Brighter Light

Contrary to the negative labels that accompanies the Islamic religion; it is actually a peaceful religion that has many holy and sacred customs.  I posted this video to show the distinct difference there is between radical Islam, the version portrayed by the general media, and the actual religion of Islam.  Muslim people are always tagged along with radical Islam and that could be due to ignorance of the religion.  Hopefully now that you have a positive image of the religion it is possible to relinquish some of the fears and tension you may have towards Muslim Americans.

Muslim America

 September 11^th 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 11^th, 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 11^th 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 11^th.  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 11^th.  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.