So in
this week’s sumblog I wanted to write a response to the discussion we had in
class on the movie watched in class about the Muslim community center they
wanted to build in New York City. This topic makes me extremely baffled on so
many levels. It legitimately infuriates me that anyone can blame an ENTIRE
religion based on the acts of a terrorist organization. I don’t see anyone
condemning Christians after the Spanish inquisition (during which somewhere
around 300,000 people were killed according to google.) No one condemns
Christians after they murder doctors who help women get abortions. No one
condemns Christians for murdering and torturing people for being gay, for being
sexist towards women. And while these examples may not include every Christian on
the planet, they certainly make up a significantly higher number of people than
the few terrorists who took over the planes of September 11th.
So then
why the fuck are people okay with condemning an entire religion they barely
understand based off one terrible act? What is the difference? At one point
will these surviving family members and citizens stop blaming and taking their
rage out on Muslim people who work every day to make our country great. People
who want to create a sanctuary and safe place for them to gather and practice.
People who pray and live to follow the Koran, which is a book of peace? It
frustrates me to hear people in our own class that want to take away the rights
of these people, but would likely be enraged if their own rights were taken
away or suppressed. How dare you condemn good people? Seriously? What makes you more deserving than them to practice
your beliefs wherever you want? Absolutely freakin nothing. I will
always work and fight to help people like this, as a good sociologist,
activist, and citizen should.
I totally agree with you that we shouldn't label an entire religion as a terrorist organization. It is wrong and I think people need to understand more about a religion before they can start calling them bad name. I took classes about Islam and so I understand that Muslims are not what the media claim they are. However, I do believe that people get influence with the media and just start believing what they are told. I wish that the media would point out good things about Muslims too. People need to see the good but all they see is the bad. How are you going to be able to make people understands that Muslim are not bad people?
ReplyDeleteNice blog. I agree with you 100%, but try to see it from the other perspective. Imagine you lost a friend or family member in the 9/11 attacks. Or imagine a Jewish group bombed Lambeau Field and killed the entire Green Bay Packers organization (this will never happen, obviously). Jews would be absolutely HATED in Wisconsin. It would be worse than 1940's Germany. And then imagine they wanted to build a synagogue in downtown Green Bay, how well do you think that would go? Adding to this is the fact that they wanted to build the mosque so close to the spot where the attacks took place -- the idea that this is a 'victory marker' or anything like that is completely outlandish and something that only Fox News would say, but I can sympathize with those who might think it's a tad insensitive.
ReplyDeleteI had a Christian man murder a bunch of children I went to school with, yet I didn't hate Christians, despite being treated poorly by them for so long. I can see it from their side, but it doesn't make them reasonable or their discrimination any less stupid.
DeleteI think it is important that we aren't labeling an entire religion just based on one radical group. There is freedom of religion and we should be allowed to practice our religion how we want. This would mean being able to build places to worship and actually practice the religion. Everyone is allowed their rights. I could see this taking a whole different turn if it were an issue against Christians.
ReplyDelete