Afraid of backlash against Muslims

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

OP, I'm so sorry this is happening and that it's caused you to (very reasonably) feel this way. Is there anything ordinary citizens who oppose this bigotry can do in their day-to-day lives that would help you feel any safer. I've communicated my views to my elected representatives, but I'm wondering if there's action I could take beyond that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me, too. Married to an Arab Muslim and have Muslim kids. It's unbelievable. A Sikh man was just brutally attacked in Chicago, with the assailant calling him a terrorist. Mosques are being vandalized left and right. Two American citizens were temporarily banned from boarding their flight because some other passenger was terrified they were speaking Arabic to one another. Hate crimes against Muslims (or perceived Muslims) have increased by 50% since all those Pam Geller campaigns came out a couple of years ago. I bet it's through the roof now with the disgusting rhetoric from most Republican presidential candidates.

George Bush, as much as I didn't like him, stressed over and over that Islam is not the enemy. It is a message that has much more power, unfortunately, coming from a white Christian man, than from a black suspected Muslim one.

Although I find the behavior you're describing deplorable, I don't find it unbelievable. People here are terrified because of these extremist psychos- who happen to be Muslims. It will pass, but I frankly wish people were more upset with the lack of response and assistance from the middle east, rather than blaming understandably frightened Americans for their fears and behaviors.

The middle eastern countries could be leading all efforts to contain ISIS and these "frightened Americans" would STILL be doing stupid stuff like this. If you don't possess the basic knowledge that a sikh is not a muslim, chances are you don't have the knowledge to understand what is happening overseas so it wouldn't make a difference. It's quite easy to differentiate a sikh from a muslim (one useful hint is that muslims in America don't wear turbans, except in video games)

Basic knowledge of the difference between Sikh and Muslim isn't really the issue when you're dealing with a violent and indiscriminate assault on an innocent human being.

That is the kind of ignorant thinking that is behind sikhs being attacking because people think they are muslim. Basic knowledge is essential, sorry.

Try to follow the thread. The Sikh was the innocent human being referenced. Geesh.

[Anonymous]

OP here, of course I denounce the attacks in Paris. I denounce all violence. And no I do not know the Muslim teachings they are using. That is not what I was taught when I went to Sunday School at a mosque in Boston when I was a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

OP, I'm so sorry this is happening and that it's caused you to (very reasonably) feel this way. Is there anything ordinary citizens who oppose this bigotry can do in their day-to-day lives that would help you feel any safer. I've communicated my views to my elected representatives, but I'm wondering if there's action I could take beyond that.

OP here, thank you so much for your words of kindness. You have brought tears to my eyes. I rarely venture into the Political discussion thread on DCUM but have so the last several days to just see how people are feeling. I have to say that reading some of these posts trying to clarify the difference between terrorists and regular (majority) Muslims has been heartening. I hate that the terrorists have hijacked the religion with their political beliefs. I appreciate when Western people can see the difference between the terrorists' Islam and the Islam I practice. Thanks for your compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

You can not calm the the fear toward radical Muslims. However, you can calm the unwarranted irrational fear toward non-radical Muslims. The key is to create a clear philosophical separation between the two. Currently the fear stems from the notion that radical Muslims and non-radical Muslims share a singular belief. The only thing separating the two is one group is willing to act out their belief and the other is not. It needs to be made clear that their beliefs are separate as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

It's not that we are cowards. I think we know, deep down, that this is a situation that is more complex and nuanced than we have the tools to understand. We are afraid of our own ignorance and see it as unchanging. We don't know how to get past it, so we lash out against the unknown with fear and hatred and noise and bombs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

It's not that we are cowards. I think we know, deep down, that this is a situation that is more complex and nuanced than we have the tools to understand. We are afraid of our own ignorance and see it as unchanging. We don't know how to get past it, so we lash out against the unknown with fear and hatred and noise and bombs.

It's a matter of impotence coupled with ignorance. Nobody likes feeling helpless and some feel the need to displace this with anger and hatred. We need to be mindful of the mass hysteria which pops up from time to time in America. Salem witch trials. Sacco and Vanzetti. Interning Japanese-Americans. Red Scare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

OP, I'm so sorry this is happening and that it's caused you to (very reasonably) feel this way. Is there anything ordinary citizens who oppose this bigotry can do in their day-to-day lives that would help you feel any safer. I've communicated my views to my elected representatives, but I'm wondering if there's action I could take beyond that.

OP here, thank you so much for your words of kindness. You have brought tears to my eyes. I rarely venture into the Political discussion thread on DCUM but have so the last several days to just see how people are feeling. I have to say that reading some of these posts trying to clarify the difference between terrorists and regular (majority) Muslims has been heartening. I hate that the terrorists have hijacked the religion with their political beliefs. I appreciate when Western people can see the difference between the terrorists' Islam and the Islam I practice. Thanks for your compassion.

My husband and I were talking last night and vowed not to be cowards and turn our backs. We want to be the kind of people who hid Jews from the Nazis despite personal danger. I hope that this current horrifying Trumpian rhetoric does not devolve into such a situation but we will not turn our backs if it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

It's not that we are cowards. I think we know, deep down, that this is a situation that is more complex and nuanced than we have the tools to understand. We are afraid of our own ignorance and see it as unchanging. We don't know how to get past it, so we lash out against the unknown with fear and hatred and noise and bombs.

But the risk is so minuscule. Almost statistically insignificant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an Iranian American Muslim living in the US for the past 35 years, this is the first time I'm personally feeling hate against all Muslims in general. I definitely didn't feel like this after 9/11. I think it has to do with the fact that 2 potential Presidential candidates are spewing hate against Muslims and the fact that one of them may be president next year. This is terrifying to me. Somehow the way that they are verbalizing this type of hate on national TV day in day out will give it credibility and give the impression that it's OK to be a racist...because hey our leaders are doing it.

What are you doing to calm the fears? Are you denouncing not only the terrorist acts of radical Muslims but also the Muslim teachings they use to motivate and rally their members?

How do you calm irrational fears? How can someone be responsible for another person's fears when those fears are disproportionate to any threat?

Instead I wonder why aren't we as a culture raising braver citizens? We are such cowards.

It's not that we are cowards. I think we know, deep down, that this is a situation that is more complex and nuanced than we have the tools to understand. We are afraid of our own ignorance and see it as unchanging. We don't know how to get past it, so we lash out against the unknown with fear and hatred and noise and bombs.

But the risk is so minuscule. Almost statistically insignificant.

But people are so horrible at accurately judging risk. That's why they call the cops of two kids walking calmly home from the park.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you all feel paranoid but nothing has happened to you personally. But yet, we are not allowed to feel paranoid that something might happen to us here in the US by ISIS? Hate, bigotry and racism goes both ways but it is only a small minority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you all feel paranoid but nothing has happened to you personally. But yet, we are not allowed to feel paranoid that something might happen to us here in the US by ISIS? Hate, bigotry and racism goes both ways but it is only a small minority.

All the paranoia I've been reading about here reminds me of the endless threads about health anxiety on the Health and Medicine Forum.

Your fears are not grounded in reality, folks! I would not be a good reader of the Health forum if I did not suggest at this point that you might find CBT helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me, too. Married to an Arab Muslim and have Muslim kids. It's unbelievable. A Sikh man was just brutally attacked in Chicago, with the assailant calling him a terrorist. Mosques are being vandalized left and right. Two American citizens were temporarily banned from boarding their flight because some other passenger was terrified they were speaking Arabic to one another. Hate crimes against Muslims (or perceived Muslims) have increased by 50% since all those Pam Geller campaigns came out a couple of years ago. I bet it's through the roof now with the disgusting rhetoric from most Republican presidential candidates.

George Bush, as much as I didn't like him, stressed over and over that Islam is not the enemy. It is a message that has much more power, unfortunately, coming from a white Christian man, than from a black suspected Muslim one.

Maybe you should have liked him more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

we created the vaccum in Iraq where ISIS was born. Egypt and Jordan are fighting Isis but they can barely feed their people. They need to be a part of the solution but should not be solely responsible for cleaning up our mess.

We remind me of Tom and Daisy Buchanan in the Great Gatsby. As Nick observes at the end:

"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . ."

I love this! You have a beautiful mind to recall such a passage at a time like this.