Standing Against Muslimophobia
Here are some of McCain’s Muslim supporters standing up to Muslimophobia (pagh salute: Chapati Mystery), as well as a campaign delegate, correctly, standing against such behavior.
In America, Sikhs are ‘racialized Muslim.’ Despite Sikhs’ attempts at differentiation from Muslims, they do not wield the power in this society to create the categories. Thus, Sikhs, despite their attempts, do not have the agency to to negotiate some ‘non-racialized Muslim’ identity. The people that usually engage in vandalism, verbal threats, and even physical assaults usually don’t care to have a history lesson.
In fact conduct an experiment with a turbaned Sikh male and a Muslim male in a line-up and look at the reactions from those that have Muslimophobia. I am willing to bet that the Sikh male will elicit the more visceral reaction (in most situtations). The reason is rather simple, the turban and beard are the symbols most associated with this Muslimophobia and the Sikh turbaned male represents almost an exaggerated caricature of these hated symbols.
Most people that engage in these types of antisocial behaviors do so against a ‘racialized Muslim’ – that may include blacks, browns (including Mexicans that were targeted after 9/11), whites, etc. It is for this reason I call it Muslimophobia and not Islamophobia. I do see the Muslimophobia tied to ongoing hysteria related to debates on immigration. Nativists love to argue that the reason for militarizing the border is so that “terrorists” don’t get in.
In fact, I believe that Sikhs must stand with Muslims, despite many commenters disagreement with me on this issue. I have strongly advocated such an approach within the Sikh community and spurned those that attempt differentiation. Muslimophobia affects all communities (and the very social fabric of this country) and thus we need to take a united stand against it.
13 Responses to “Standing Against Muslimophobia”
YES!! thanks for continuing to write about this issue and push this important point that Sikhs must stand with Muslims.
at the risk of sparking a tangential conversation (& maybe pissing some people off), i've always had a really hard time separating the banning eating halal meat for Sikhs from anti-Muslim sentiment in our community. i've heard the argument that we're not supposed to eat any sacrificial meat, so that applies for kosher or anything else, but yet the line out there is "No Halal." it totally fuels Sikhs' anti-Muslim biases from a very young age. i know it did for me…it wasn't until much much later in life that i began to question it, and begin to question and challenge why so many people in my family would talk so much [Deleted by Admin Kaur … please refrain from cursing when commenting] about Muslims (and black folks). it's deep and ugly stuff in our community and history, and we have to follow our gurus' example and challenge injustice anywhere.
YES!! thanks for continuing to write about this issue and push this important point that Sikhs must stand with Muslims.
at the risk of sparking a tangential conversation (& maybe pissing some people off), i’ve always had a really hard time separating the banning eating halal meat for Sikhs from anti-Muslim sentiment in our community. i’ve heard the argument that we’re not supposed to eat any sacrificial meat, so that applies for kosher or anything else, but yet the line out there is “No Halal.” it totally fuels Sikhs’ anti-Muslim biases from a very young age. i know it did for me…it wasn’t until much much later in life that i began to question it, and begin to question and challenge why so many people in my family would talk so much [Deleted by Admin Kaur … please refrain from cursing when commenting] about Muslims (and black folks). it’s deep and ugly stuff in our community and history, and we have to follow our gurus’ example and challenge injustice anywhere.
Here's the problem, Muslims themselves won't challenge the notion that Sikhs are not Muslims. When Balbir Sodhi was killed, did Muslims rush out and offer any apologies or sentiments, no.
The fact of the matter is Islam is only out for itself.
Here’s the problem, Muslims themselves won’t challenge the notion that Sikhs are not Muslims. When Balbir Sodhi was killed, did Muslims rush out and offer any apologies or sentiments, no.
The fact of the matter is Islam is only out for itself.
neither muslims not islam were responsible for the murder of balbir sodhi. additionally, to claim that muslims never stood with sikhs against backlash post-9/11 is ridiculous. in the weeks and months and years after 9/11 organizations like the council on american-islamic relations (CAIR) and the american arab anti-discrimination committee (ADC) worked closely with sikh organizations to respond to hateful backlash and in fact helped the sikh community get in the door to talk with gov't decision makers to express our community's needs and concerns. in many ways, muslim and arab american advocates helped pave the way for our community.
neither muslims not islam were responsible for the murder of balbir sodhi. additionally, to claim that muslims never stood with sikhs against backlash post-9/11 is ridiculous. in the weeks and months and years after 9/11 organizations like the council on american-islamic relations (CAIR) and the american arab anti-discrimination committee (ADC) worked closely with sikh organizations to respond to hateful backlash and in fact helped the sikh community get in the door to talk with gov’t decision makers to express our community’s needs and concerns. in many ways, muslim and arab american advocates helped pave the way for our community.
neither muslims NOR islam. typo above. my bad.
neither muslims NOR islam. typo above. my bad.
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