As many have you have seen and heard from the news that protests are erupting throughout the Middle East some are more violent than others. The inspiration for these protests came from Tunisia and then Egypt, both countries which were able to remove the insipid dictators in power. This has caused a chain reaction that has put a tiny light of hope in the minds of the new generation that WE have a voice. It has caused them to take of the blanket of oppression coerced on them and has let them become visible to the world. They want their plight to be heard. I applaud those brave people rising up to the heinous people in charge of their everyday lives.
The one thing I am ashamed of as an American is the news of an AMERICAN TERRORIST TRYING TO BOMB A MOSQUE IN THE NORTHEAST WAS NEVER HEARD. At the end of January an army veteran tried to bring explosives to a mosque but was fortunately caught before he was able to carry out his idiotic idea. Since then I have never heard any news on that topic on major news networks, I only heard it from small time news networks. If it was a Muslim who had an explosive it would have swept through the media like the plague but it was an American terrorist this time it was kept quiet. I find that extremely hypocritical and offensive. I question myself, "what is this country coming too?"
Furzan,
ReplyDeleteThese are important questions to ask, but what connection does this post have to the learning we are doing in class? Are you saying that in America, Muslims are invisible? If so, I'd like to see you pursue that connection to Ellison's novel more thoroughly. How is it the same? different? What are the implications?
Mrs. Elliott
Furzan- this really is quite disturbing and I agree that it is and example of American hypocrisy and bigotry toward Muslim Americans.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Elliott- Furzan could definitely turn this into a story about the invisible Muslim citizens that, though they contribute greatly towards society, are discrimnated against and not recognized for their part.
- Jacob S.
The situations Muslims are going through does connect to the novel.The real identity of the Muslims is what is invisible to America and the world. The first image that pops into mind is an image of a terrorist just as is in the novel when people during that time thought of African-Americans as animals and good for nothing low-life's. Yet, the narrator is just like every other normal citizen caring and loving.
ReplyDeleteI can see how this post connects to Invisible Man on the subject of prejudice and discrimination. In Invisible Man, the narrator was put through very degrading and painful experiences by some discriminatory whites in the novel, treating him as though he was an animal or lab experiment. I assume many Muslims in this country feel that their true identity is, in a sense, invisible because of the many prejudices we may subconsciously hold against them. From my experiences in STAND, I've heard a little bit about how Muslims feel towards discrimination but I think it'd be interesting to learn the attitudes of other Muslims towards their own identity. It was interesting how you made a connection between the novel and current events.
ReplyDelete-Matt A.
I also find it alarming that this story hasn't reached national attention if it is indeed true. Americans are overly-critical of Muslims and Muslims are probably one of the most hated groups in our country, and this was demonstrated over the mosque "at ground zero" controversy. It is very valid to make a connection between Muslims today and African Americans in the past, when they were probably the most discriminate against group in the country.
ReplyDelete-Bobby R
I would not actually compare Muslims today to African Americans in the past because, honestly I don't see any Muslims hung up on trees, being lynched, or any signs that say "No Muslims Allowed". A terrorist act of any kind is abominable regardless of what religion or ideal is championed through the act of terrorism. However, Muslims are not hated in our society-they aren't even truly shunned. As for the Mosque to be built at Ground Zero? I would protest that in a heartbeat. I say things like that and people think I am prejudice but, I say this not to be prejudice against Muslims but to make a valid point. What would having a mosque built at the site of one of America's most tragic events prove? Absolutely nothing except that we hold little regard for the event that took place there. In my opinion nothing should be built there because in 15 or 20 years when a generation of children know nothing about 9/11 they are going to look at that site and see what? A mosque? That doesn't prove anything, it doesn't show anything about the thousands of people who died on that very site. America doesn't need another mosque, and if it is so very needed then I guarantee it can be built somewhere else. And while you are considering my opinion or labeling me as prejudice think about this:
ReplyDeletePeople present a plan to build a mosque and people who openly oppose it are viewed as prejudice and their opposition to an Eastern religion becomes racism. However, if a plan was presented to build a Christian church on the same site, it would be openly opposed and none of the opposition would be called prejudiced simply because it is a Western religion. Now this, people, is truly a double standard.
-Rebekah Adeyemo