Obama is constantly being likened to various “terrorist” figureheads: by being called Barack Osama or by intentionally using his middle name, Hussein, to liken him to another of that name. He is also often linked (rightly or wrongly) to Muslims (he was educated in a predominately Muslim country, but not at a religious school). Recently, there has been a call for him to denounce the use of “Muslim” as a slur. This reminds me of an internal conflict I had (and blogged about) recently: it’s hard not to get caught up in the cultural denigration of a group of people. And, however equanimical one is in one’s mind to these groups, one often is caught up in the cultural mindset.
Obama has occasionally said that Muslims are great people, but he has never taken the opportunity to apply it to the slurs slung against him. And it’s difficult to do. But it’s also what’s right.
6 responses so far ↓
1 wren // Mar 7, 2008 at 10:56 pm
This is a frequent topic on the listservs for MN supporters. I now reside in the congressional district of Keith Ellison who is, as far as I know, the only Muslim in the US congress and an Obama supporter.
The distancing thing is weird, isn’t it? Remember the whole Seinfeld thing about not being gay? “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” There have been a few celebrities who flat out won’t answer the question when asked what their orientation is because they say it is irrelevant. Whether they say it to stay in the closet or to underscore the nosiness of the question, it’s perhaps, the right thing to do. I’d say it takes a secure person to do that. No matter how open minded we are, we don’t want to be misidentified - not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Of course religion is a whole other ball of wax, can of worms, whatever. On one hand I think what’s being done is good - calling it what it is - fearmongering. But there is that next step - a bold one - to say “America, what is even sadder than politicians trying to scare you into thinking I’m a Muslim is that many of you are scared because you think I’m a Muslim.”
But then this isn’t the first religion mudslinging that has went on in this primary season; ask Mitt. In my lds days I often defended the outlandish aspects to other Christians by pointing out all the outlandish aspects of Christianity in general.
I suppose the boldest statement a politician could make would be to say religions at their best provide us with a sense of community and at their worst harm others. Ultimately, they’re all founded by different people who offer conflicting claims that their way is the right way and science has yet to prove there’s a god in another realm so maybe people should take a little more allegorical and less literal approach to religion.
2 Rich // Mar 8, 2008 at 5:08 pm
One aspect of the whole Muslim accusation thing that I don’t hear discussed much is, wouldn’t it be a huge help to our mid-east foreign policy if we actually had a Muslim in the white house? Or at least someone who was sympathetic to, or demonstrated knowledge of Islamic culture? Instead of the ignorant, saber-rattling dolt-in-residence who has only exacerbated our foreign relations problems?
3 xJane // Mar 9, 2008 at 10:40 am
lol! good call, Rich
4 Jana (aka pilgrimgirl) // Mar 10, 2008 at 2:58 pm
everytime I read the title for this post, I see it as “come religious sluts are okay.” I don’t know why. Is it just me or have others seen that, too?
5 Jana (aka pilgrimgirl) // Mar 10, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Okay, my hands can’t type. I mean, “Some religious sluts are okay.” Damn fingers….
6 wren // Mar 10, 2008 at 3:02 pm
It’s just you. And we see where your mind is today!
Leave a Comment