#10.
Society in the twenty-first century is very lucky to include a diverse range of people from all different cultural backgrounds and religions. You would think that this diversification would stimulate love and compassion between different ethnic groups because of the sheer amount of cultural knowledge that looms between the two; you would think that such variation would allow for groups to be more tolerant and respectful towards one another in terms of customs and religion. Unfortunately, we live in a world where fairytales are fake and the reality is: any deviation from the predisposed norms of society creates a clear line between those deemed “the other” and those deemed “the same.”
It is in our biological nature as human beings to side with that which is familiar to us and to fear the unknown. Since 9/11, the treatment of Muslim Americans (and brown people in general) has been utterly abhorrent to say the least. The amount of racial prejudice against this group has increased tenfold due to the actions of a group of radical Muslims with ideals that do not even correlate with the peaceful teachings of Islam. And now, we have Donald Trump, an “amazing” Presidential Candidate, announce his plan to “bar” Muslims from entering the US to “figure out what the hell is going on” not to mention the countless remarks he has made against other ethnic minorities such as Hispanics and immigration from Mexico. As an Indian-American Muslim, you can imagine my surprise when I noticed many of the people I used to call friends supporting such a man who wanted to basically make me “register” as a Muslim in this country and walk around wearing a symbol so others will know that I am a Muslim. Registration? Symbolism? Sound slightly familiar?
That’s right: Adolf Hitler. Hitler used fear to manipulate the masses against anyone who basically was not white and Christian which is exactly what Trump is trying to achieve as well in a more blunt manner.
Given that it is 2016 and not the 1940s, you’d think that people would have a bit more hindsight to possibly not make the same mistakes that have already occurred in history. You would think that racism would not be an issue in todays society but it is. You would think people would be more open-minded but they are not. You would think the world is a bit different from the “olden” days but except for technological advancements and the Internet, it’s practically the same.
There have been many times where I have tried to comprehend the realities occurring around me, to understand why people hate Muslims so much and feel the need to punish the mass population of Muslims for the crimes only a handful committed. And it isn’t only Muslims being persecuted; it’s anyone who looks even remotely Middle-Eastern. For example, Sikhs have often been the targets of many hate crimes because of the their turbans. So, why?
The answer to this question is quite simple: misinformation, misrepresentation, and misunderstanding. Many people are misinformed when it comes to any topic in relation to Islam and believe it to be this horrible religion that preaches violence — which is completely untrue; Islam only preaches teachings of peace. Many people believe that the group of radical “Muslims” represent the entirety of the Muslim population — how is this even fair? On numerous occasions, white men have committed gun violence on unsuspecting children yet the masses never assume that the majority of the white population will at any moment take out a gun and start shooting people. So, when it comes to Muslims or brown people in general, how is it fair to assume that we will do the same? Many people misunderstand Muslims in such a colossal way that when they take the chance to actually meet a fellow Muslim they are completely shocked at how normal and human they are. (Honestly, a video went viral of a lady protesting against Islam in front of a mosque only to be treated with kindness and respect by the community members and her whole perspective towards Islam as a religion changed in the course of a single morning.)
As human beings, we are notorious for subjecting the concept of otherness onto many groups of people in order to create a ranking of superiority. It’s like the food chain but only on a social level.
I want to break that food chain and, therefore, break that social hierarchy by giving the people a chance to allow themselves to open their minds and maybe create a type of familiarity with those they do not know and to provide comfort and understanding instead of fear and anxiety. Because Fear is a powerful emotion, one that is susceptible to manipulation and control and, in the hands of the wrong people, Fear itself can create hell on Earth.
humanisticmusings 