DrJays.com Debate: Is America Tolerant Of Muslims?
Yesterday Russell Simmons (pictured with Minister Louis Farrakhan and Rick Rubin) posted a new column for the HuffingtonPost.com—”The Ugly Head Of America”—speaking on “the hatred and anger towards Muslims in this country.”
It’s not clear why the Phat Farm founder chose to write the article now (no current events are mentioned; Simmons’s most recent reference is a speech President Obama gave to the Muslim world in Cairo back in June 2009) but the general undertone of the piece is America’s growing lack of respect and tolerance for those of Islamic faith.
“The hatred and anger towards Muslims in this country and around the world has gone beyond the tipping point. This is not acceptable. We have to cleanse ourselves of this horrible disease. The long-term karmic effect of keeping this attitude in this country is unthinkable.”
Simmons goes on to say:
“After 9/11 we had the chance to promote world peace, but instead we promoted an anger towards ourselves. We missed an amazing opportunity when every Muslim country sympathized with us. We turned all that love and all that sympathy into a lot of hate. It is now the time to turn this around, and yes, we can do it!”
The self-serving hip-hop icon also makes sure to promote and link his own organization, The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding, set up with Rabbi Marc Schneier to promote “a positive relationship with Muslims, especially with the Jewish community.”
Do you agree with Russell Simmons? Do you believe America is a “country polluted with horrible Islamophobia,” as Simmons says?
I can’t speak for the whole country, but in my area (SoCal) I think there is plenty of tolerance.
Here’s my take: I don’t think some of this is hating on Islam, I think it’s just human nature coming out.
1. If someone looks and acts very different from you or what you’re used to, you will treat them differently.
2. People have a natural fear of the unknown. My guess is that many people do not take the time to learn about other cultures to the point of understanding.
3. For many Americans, the only exposure they get to Islam and Muslims are news articles featuring the extremists. “One bad apple ruins it for the whole bunch.”
Here’s how I propose we change this:
1. If you are Islamic or Muslim, be overly friendly to the people you meet. No need to perpetuate their pre-conceived ideas about you! A smile goes a long way.
2. Take time to educate people about your faith. Show them that extremists are the exception and not the rule.
As Ghandi said, “be the change you wish to see in the world.” I try to live by that. Maybe you should too!
Kwaping,
I’m going to have to disagree with your proposal for Muslims to be “overly friendly to people you meet”. If moderate Muslims are asked to do that, I’d then ask moderate Christians to do exactly the same to make up for instances like the Oklahoma bombings and such. No good person should EVER be made to feel they need to compensate for others within their community who choose to do wrong.
I’m still not exactly sure what the basis of Russell Simmons’ op-ed piece is, but he does raise valid points. Just today an article was posted on NYMag.com questioning why the word “terrorist” is basically used for criminals of a certain background only – another interesting read (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/03/are_the_members_of_the_michiga.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nymag%2Fintel+%28Daily+Intelligencer+-+New+York+Magazine%29)
I have no problems with asking Christians – or any other group – to be overly friendly as well! The world could use more friendliness right about now.
My point was that people who know they’re being discriminated against and pre-judged should make an effort to be an ambassador to other cultures. For example, when I travel outside the country, I make a concerted effort to not be that “ugly American” that people love to hate. I try to show that there are plenty of good people in America. That’s what I’m referring to.
i did call my self Dee for a while there but i am sema and i am turkish and i am suppose to be a muslim but im dont really call myself that. i am from london but all my family is turkish which makes me turkish…anyway…
i told a person i used to hang around with that i was a muslim and they treated me so diffrently compare to what they did before i told them and that did hurt. and im not being rude but for someone to say that i should be overly friednsly is offense to me as i have done nothing wrong and it is unfair for muslims and christians to be asked to behave diffrently for anyone of the other race cause at the end of the day i didnt be asked to be born the way i am and i am not going to act diffrently just cause of the hatered.. i want people to no me and being queitly and maybe offering the odd smile to people is being me and i am not gunna be over friendly to people i do not no or care about nor do i care about their view on me.. and yeah one apple does ruin it for the bunch but i am never nor will i ever be a terrorist so why should be over friendly…..
Excuse me here but while we are on the topic of faith, how come it is America, Canada, and the rest of Europe that need to conform to tolerance and accpetance, while the many muslim countries are based off of Koranic laws which do not show any tolerance towards that of Christians living there. Example of this can be seen in Egypt where Copts are killed outside of their churches during weddings and religious holidays, and yet no one has said anything about this. Turkey was responsible for the genocide of over 1 million Christian Armenians, not to mention political turmoils fueled in Cypress based off of faith, and now the bombings of civilians in Russia by Chechens.I just dont understand why we have to be tolerant of everything, every religion and every faith when this was a country based off of Christian values, now you cant even mention g_d or Christ without anyone being offended. I just find it ridiculous, there are laws that protect everyone. A man’s religion is his own business, I disagree with treating people differently but how much more tolerance do you want? Regardless, I understand you are from Turkey, which was once known as Byzantium, a beacon of Christianity untill its fall in 1453.
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