American Muslims On Untrue Stereotypes

One of the strongest stereotypes around today is also one of the newest – all Muslims are terrorists. On the latest episode of the AOL series ‘That’s Racist’, Mike Epps goes around and asks a simple question – would you get on a plane if the pilot was Muslim?

Some of the answers he got were so sad but a true representation of how Muslims are perceived in the eyes of Americans today. Many people said they would feel nervous, one man even saying he would assume the plane got hijacked.

Stop and think right now – when you see a Muslim family in the airport what are your first thoughts? I think sadly because of how Muslims are portrayed in the media, most of us would be lying if we didn’t admit that in the back of our minds there is a thought of terrorism and bad blood.

Mike spoke with a few Muslims who said that pre-9/11 Muslims were like any other religious minority in the eyes of the public, but post 9/11 there was suddenly a huge spotlight on their culture based on fear of the 1% of Muslims who use that religion to cause harm on others.

He went on to say that one of the biggest stereotypes is that the Karan in fact gives Muslims permission to be violent, when it does not. There are over 5 million Muslims living in America today, do you really think each one of those 5 million people hates America and wants to see its downfall?

And certainly movies and TV today don’t help to promote positive images of the Muslim community. But next time you see a Muslim family and want to crack a joke, stop and reverse the tables on you – what if your culture was only seen as terrorists? I say instead of contributing hate towards another culture, why not promote kindness?

Seems like it would make the world a little better.