Throughout America’s history, we have been known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. However, if you take a deeper look into society and its practices, that has not always been the case. The free people for the majority of our history, have been white males. And the fear of people who are a different color is not brave. Overtime, progression and change has happened, until 10 years ago.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists. They had hijacked airplanes and attempted to crash them into major US government headquarters. As everybody knows, the World Trait Center was hit and destroyed. The culprits of this terrorist act where the radical Islamic group called Al-Qaeda. Because of this, a very negative stigma was put towards Muslim people. From this point forward, Muslim people where treated differently. In airports, public places and even their internet privacy and their livelihoods where in jeopardy. Regardless if they were just normal, non-violent people. 99% of Muslim people are not radical terrorists. It is so important that we come to realize that. These people want to better themselves and their loved ones around them. However, we let the fear of a very small percentage of Muslim people (radical terrorists) block our minds from acknowledging this. This is our path to progress and solution.
The process of negative assumption towards Muslim people began during the Bush administration. His administration and followers where pro- America going to war, and as America had done in previous conflicts, they attack the enemy. Whether if that was literally on the battlefield or socially in society. “Patriotic” Americans began to socially attack the Muslim-Americans and other people of that culture. The Media was constantly broadcasting the War and was pointing fingers at all sorts of people. Because of this, the American people sought out vengeance towards any Muslim or Arabic person.
Evidence of this is everywhere. Whether if you read about it, hear about it, or even witness it in person. Multiple accounts and testimonies from Muslim people show you the true side of this madness. These people feel the burden of their judgment. How they hold up lines at airports and feel embarrassment and shame when they are no different than any other passenger. Or if they are called a derogatory name for wearing a hijab that is a part of their religion and the beliefs. Dalia Mogahed, a Muslim public speaker and activist, said that even her closest friends questioned her when she decided to embrace her religion and culture and start wearing a hijab. We see these head coverings here in America, and see them as something unusual and strange. However, in these Muslim countries it is a very normal and usual thing.
The solution to this is not simple. When someones mind is committed to something, it can be very hard to change. The solution is the future. The upcoming generations must be informed to the truth and the culture and heritage of this so called “enemy”. For starters, teaching Muslim culture and heritage in school systems would be a great start. Learning about the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran in grade school would be a huge leap forward in regards to changing the narrative. Being exposed to their music, fashion and food, even from a learning standpoint, would also be huge for progression. There is so much that us Americans do not know about this lifestyle. We learn about Asian, Indian, and Mexican cultures, learning about Middle Eastern and Muslim culture would expand the minds of the future generations.
Children learn habits at a young age. Whether if that is a good habit or a bad habit. This means bigotry, racism and negative thoughts can be implanted into someones brain at a very young age. It is time to change this. This can begin with the parents or guardians. Once we implement Muslim and Middle Eastern culture into school systems, parents will pass this knowledge to their children. With the proper education on a culture, parents will be able to address and reinforce the truth into their children. This domino effect, in my opinion, would really help the negative stigma towards Muslim people. With a positive attitude and the willingness to be better and learn, the sky is the limit. The only thing left to do is to put the words into action. Many Muslim advocates have forwarded this notion and although I am no longer apart of the public school systems, curriculum is changing.
Being open minded and accepting is so important. Understanding and being supportive others is not only good character but also humane. Nothing will change if there is negativity and hate in the world. Learning from others and being there for people no matter who they are is what will make change. Society is progressing in a positive direction, but we need to get everyone on board. It won’t be easy but we can do it. If we tell ourselves and our future generations to learn and be understanding, we will get where we want to be as a nation. The future is ours to control. It is just a matter on if we choose to do it or not to do it.