My take on Islamaphobia.First of all the portrayal of the prophet as
a terrorist as appeared in a Danish cartoon was in very bad taste,besides
getting some image of the prophet is never allowed in Islam.Personally,I think
that U.S society is very tolerant because we are a nation of laws and not of
people.We should also distinguish
between prejudice and discrimination.Prejudice is more or less a mind
thang,whereas discrimination is action oriented.We have come a
long way in eliminating discrimination but that should not lead to the
conclusion that we have eliminated prejudicial mindset.One can still not
discriimitate and still be prejudiced.Some people may still assume that the U.S
society is "white" and "Christian" but these notions are gradually fading as
the society becomes less white and more diverse.but it is the enforcement of
our constitutional laws that unite all of us.I am not too sure of the
"accepting diversity" paradigm based on my Tips experience.
There was a similar paradigm of xenophobia that existed in Britain.Back
in the 1950s there were race riots in Nottinghill .England
againt black immigrants from the Caribbean.I think the white kids were called
the teddy boys. Then prejudice turned against the Asians
especially the Pakistanis.It was my understanding that the prejudice against
the Pakistanis in Britain emanated because of the culinary
patterns,religious practices,and language patterns.Although some British
landlords would not rent flats to both Caribbean blacks amd Pakistanis,there
was a tendency to prefer having the Caribbean blacks because of an assumed
similariy to Britishers,such as being good cricketers (at that time the West
Indies was numero uno,but not anymore),spoke English,and no spicy cuisine
flavor throughout the flat,and being Anglican.I suspect that whatever
Islamaphobia that
exist may have more to do with factors other than religion.So to the Moslem
community let me ask this question: Are you ready for some football?
(To be continued).
Michael "omnicentric" Sylvester,PhD
Daytona Beach,Florida
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