OPINION & EDITORIAL
U.S. perpetuates acceptance of racism
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Also by Guest Columnist:
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by Guest Columnist
Thursday, October 4, 2007
If a poll came out tomorrow that shows 40 percent of Iranians are in favor of making Jews wear special identification from the government, the world would be justifiably outraged. It's not difficult to picture the apoplectic fits we would see on the nightly news as pundits tried to outscore each other on who could condemn Iran the most stridently. Fortunately, it's not true that Iran wants Jews to wear special identification. The Jewish Daily reported that Iran's Jews actively resist Zionist entreaties to emigrate to Israel.
It is true, however, that 39 percent of Americans think Muslims should require special government identification. I'm guessing most people reading this haven't heard that statistic, which is from a nationwide USA Today/Gallup poll taken last year. The lack of furor caused by this openly racist sentiment — and yes, it is racist; have you ever heard anyone calling for white folks to be kicked off a plane for speaking "strange languages"? — demonstrates something frightening about the acceptance of racism in modern American society.
Ever since the attacks on 9/11, lawmakers and talking heads have been bombarding us with the most disgusting anti-Arab and anti-Muslim doggerel imaginable. Witness, for example, Rep. Virgil Goode using the fact that there is one Muslim in Congress to whip up scare campaigns about how, "If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration, there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office." Or CNN's Glenn Beck threatening Muslims that they will soon "be looking through a razor wire fence at the West." Concentration camps? Special IDs for minorities? We know how this story ends.
Accepted racism in America is not limited to Arabs and Muslims. After all, the supposed "immigration crisis" Congress is constantly trying to scare us into believing has spawned a newer, more confident "white nativism" with devastating consequences for Latinos. This is most obvious in the movement of "the Minutemen," a racist terrorist group that has gained legitimacy thanks to the scaremongering of president Bush and Congress. Their members have a new approach to the immigration "problem." According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, one member simply said “Just shoot ‘em on sight. That’s my immigration policy recommendation. You break into my country, you die.” Rep. Tom Tancredo called these men "heroes," according to the SPLC report.
Is it any wonder, then, with U.S. policymakers openly supporting domestic terrorists that this violence trickles down to people's everyday lives? That's just what happened to a Latino boy near Houston, Texas, who was assaulted last year in a vicious hate crime. The victim tried to kiss a white girl at a party, at which point two white boys beat him with a metal pipe, used it to sodomize him and then poured bleach all over his naked body. While the Minutemen may think its fun to play army on the U.S. border, it's not fun for the Latinos who have to endure the kind of torture and humiliation we've seen on display at Abu Ghraib.
Even more disturbingly, perhaps, is the degree to which the legitimization of groups like the Minutemen has given neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan a foot back in the door of American political discourse. It's not uncommon to attend Minutemen events and see both Nazi and Confederate flags flying high. The acceptable racism against Latinos has given these despicable symbols new currency in America.
Is it any wonder, then, that a white supremacist group felt confident enough last month to post the addresses of the Jena Six online "in case anyone wants to deliver justice?" The lesson is clear: The racist scapegoating of Latinos increases the confidence of racists against other groups as well.
The same lesson applies to the anti-Muslim sentiment described above. Before Sept. 11, America was moving toward a national consensus that racial profiling was condemnable. Afterward, however, federal and state law enforcement agencies moved with frightening swiftness to single out anyone who looked remotely connected to the Middle East. This rehabilitation of racial profiling in the "War on Terror" has had disturbing consequences for African-Americans. Just look at Los Angeles in 2002, where 22 percent of blacks stopped were asked to get out of their cars, compared to a mere 7 percent of whites. The numbers could go on, but suffice it to say that once more, racism won't stay in its cage.
It is for these reasons that the International Socialist Organization, the Wisconsin Black Student Union and the Multicultural Student Center are having a panel discussion this Wednesday about how to fight racism here in Wisconsin. As the evidence marshaled here shows, racism has a powerful grip in American society. Nothing less than a mass movement will dislodge it. Join us Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Today in the Union for a discussion of how to start one.
Paul Heideman (pheideman@wisc.edu) is a graduate student in the Department of Afro-American Studies and is a member of the International Socialist Organization.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 7:24am):
I don't get it. Are Jews a "race" or a religion? We'll have to ask Rod Carew.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 8:29am):
Propping your abjectly stupid theories, Paul, with quotes from the SPLC just shows what a fool you are. Then again, anyone who proudly wears the badge of a socialist deserves the laughter at their bufoonery.
Anyone rational (not Paul or his commie ilk) can join the laughter about the SPLC at:
http://www.theamericanresistance.com/articles/art_morris_dees_fact_sheet.html
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 9:34am):
Paul, exactly what was the purpose of that first paragraph? You could have left it out and the rest of the article would still fly. Just wondering.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 9:48am):
I'm not sure I want to see "special government identification", but Muslims are the only religion that demands that everyone either be converted, be enslaved or be killed.
Separation of church and state has served the USA well and I'd not like to see it changed to Sharia, especially since as a blaspheming apostate I'd get my head cut off.
And since when did belonging to a religion change your race? What race do atheists belong to?
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:00am):
Casting all bigotry "racism" is lazy and it just gives bigots the wiggle room they need to equivocate. Step up your game.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:01am):
Somehow, it's just so hard to accept the wisdom in this opinion piece, considering that it was written by a member of the ISO.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:05am):
Ha! I knew by the title it was socialist propaganda.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:53am):
You know what the main problem with "racism" is: people think in terms of race. At its most basic, thinking of people in terms of race is being racist.
Plus, being Jewish or Muslim or atheistic like me doesn't make you a part of any certain race, so stop trying to connect the two.
Bill Ramirez (October 4, 2007 @ 11:07am):
My wife and I joined the MCDC Minuteman Project in April of 2005 after a trip to Tombstone, AZ. We talked to the people, most living 50 to 100 miles from the boarder, who have to be armed 24 - 7. We met a couple with a young daughter in a park. The husband said he had to wear a gun while watching TV because they have had several occasions when illegal aliens had busted through the door or window. I don't think United State citizens should have to live like that. Another couple stated they can't leave their home without leaving an armed person to protect their home. While we were standing our post, locals come by and thank us, saying thinks like "Last night was the first time I have been able to sleep all night in the last 10 years".
The Minutemen I have known are not against immigration. Many are immigrants. They are not racist. They will report to the Boarder Patrol anyone they see crossing the boarder. I served with man from N.J. who was concerned about terrorist. I was concerned about rising violence along the boarder and even where I live, 100 miles away. And some are concerned about the sheer volume to people coming across.
That is not to say some racist have not shown up, but when discovered their membership was terminated. I have never seen a Nazi and Confederate flag at any of our meetings.
I hope this helps. Lies and name calling is not a good substitute for facts and understanding the other point of view.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:20am):
The comments on this post make the author's point crystal clear. How absolutely shameful!
Each ONE of you is racist.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:20am):
In response to 9:48am:
Exodus 22:18 commands that "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live," and it wasn't referring to Harry Potter. Numbers 31:17-18 commands the Israelites to "Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." In Ezekiel 9:5-6 God commands "Pass through the city after him, and smite; your eye shall not spare and you shall show no pity; slay old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women..."
These are all drawn from the Judeo-Christian scriptures, and are really just the tip of the genocidal iceberg. Islam is hardly alone in possessing a dogma riddled with exhortations to violence against non-believers.
On another note, if you don't understand that Arabs and Muslims are inextricably linked in the mind of the modern racist (whether zionist or white supremacist), just as the Jewish race and religion have been historically, then you're hopelessly naive. Ethnicity and religion are often closely linked; atheism, insofar as it is in no wise a religion (but rather the lack thereof), we should not expect to have ethnic connections.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:32am):
Holy crap guys, I read this article thinking it made perfect sense, a far cry from the stuff that normally comes from ISO members. Doesn't the fact that the BSU and MCSC are both involved in the panel lend it credibility? I'd say so.
And as far as this, "I'm not sure I want to see 'special government identification', but Muslims are the only religion that demands that everyone either be converted, be enslaved or be killed."
You are so ignorant I don't even know what to say.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:34am):
I thought the first paragraph was fairly self-evident. It contrasts America's willingness to condemn oppression abroad with the rest of the article's evidence of acceptance of oppression at home.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:36am):
"I'm not sure I want to see "special government identification", but Muslims are the only religion that demands that everyone either be converted, be enslaved or be killed."
Yeah! Christians _never_ did that, never ever!
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:59am):
It sure is strange how this article is about race, and all of a sudden people are posting about religion. Must be that "Jewish race" myth that feeble-minded Jew-haters started a long time ago. Like they say, old prejudices die hard.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 12:05pm):
I find it funny how most of the religious people I know are sane individuals - and that they don't follow their religion by the letter.
The ones that follow it completely are the ones I watch out for.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 12:48pm):
The point is that Christians got away from killing people for religious reasons and using their holy book to justify slavery.
As soon as Muslims do the same they can have a place at the table - not before.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 12:52pm):
Remember how inviting Ahmadinejad to Columbia University was supposed to impress the Iranian president with the power of American freedom and the courage of American academia? Well according to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Ahmadinejad has just called the US a "dictatorship" whose citizens are not allowed to know the facts and described the Columbia invitation as a "Zionist plot".
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 1:29pm):
It doesn't surprise me the ISO-BSU alliance has formed. Lauren Woods, the BSU golden girl, was literally a socialist. I wonder if the BSU intends to defend ISO's positions more.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 1:50pm):
The minutemen NOT racist? Go to their website, and then say they aren't racist. For heaven's sake, they have a section of news stories highlighting every minority committed crime they could find, even of LEGAL immigrants. Clearly white supremacy. And then go to say crime is caused by illegal immigration. "Oh no, racism doesn't exist."
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 2:23pm):
i don't believe the poll, and iranians don't want jews to identify themselves...they want them dead. like most muslims do because it says so in their bible. furthermore, most muslims are identifiable already by their subjugation of women. and their beards.
i'll leave the border talk aside as i believe this author to be anti-latino (other than mexicans, since all other latinos cannot illegally get into mexico's guarded borders) and anti immigrant from other countries that aren't linked by land to the usa.
this author has been indoctrinated by rambling leftists. and he spouts propaganda.
google the prophet of doom and learn NOW. moral equivalence is his bible.
wow how deep!
guard the border! fine the employers! and stop the invasion of the mexican gov't and people which print cartoons and maps for accessing the usa and also puts up expecting mothers in bordertown motels so they can take advantage of the constitution and our generousity by giving birth in the usa.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 3:15pm):
"It sure is strange how this article is about race"
But then why does it start off talking about Jews and then goes on about Muslims?
BTW, Arabs are "white folks".
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 5:46pm):
2:23 it must be nice to discount things you don't like by simply not believing them.
Furthermore, if Iran simply wants all Jews dead, how come Forward, a self-describe pro-Israel publication, reports that Iran's Jews actually refuse to leave, and Iranian Jews now living in Israel say things like "Iranian Jews have a comfortable Jewish life."
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 5:55pm):
I think I will be at the forum on fighting racism because I am disgusted by all the bigots on the forum page.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 5:56pm):
"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.
A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.
Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities -- but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."
-Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition,
Vol. II, pages 248-50 (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899).
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 7:27pm):
What percent of Muslims feel that the US should be under Islamic rule? Just asking, I have no idea (but that would make for a great poll question).
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:07pm):
"I was at the Backpack Hostel in Budapest, Hungary as I watched the towers fall. I sat there as a fellow backpacker bounced up and down on the sofa in glee."
http://technoptimist.blogspot.com/2007_09_30_archive.html#4272878256483075617%234272878256483075617
Any bets on the religion of the gleeful one?
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:04pm):
What percent would worry you? It's ten million enemies for each percentage point.
Islamists 'urge young Muslims to use violence'
Hizb ut Tahrir, which wants to overthrow democracy and establish a worldwide Islamic theocracy, distributed leaflets to young Muslims inciting them to resist the occupation of Islamic lands, according to a TV documentary by a former group member.
Panorama has also uncovered a speech made in August last year by Ata Abu-Rishta, the global leader of Hizb ut Tahrir, when he called for the "destruction" of Hindus living in Kashmir, Russians in Chechnya and Jews in Israel.
"The Caliphate (global Islamic government) will liberate the countries and the people from the influence of the Kafer (non-believer) and its allies and the tyranny of its men and followers," he said.
Rishta also spoke recently at its annual conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, where, as video footage in the Panorama exposé shows, he whipped the 100,000-strong crowd into a frenzy by calling for a war on Jews. Saleem Atchia, a senior member of Hizb ut Tahrir UK, later made a firebrand speech from the same platform.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/30/nhizb130.xml
Anonymous (October 6, 2007 @ 2:20pm):
"The minutemen NOT racist? Go to their website, and then say they aren't racist. For heaven's sake, they have a section of news stories highlighting every minority committed crime they could find, even of LEGAL immigrants"
uh huh. Then lets take a stroll to LARaza, MEChA, LULAC and any number of race based groups. You know RACE BASED GROUPS?
Anonymous (October 13, 2007 @ 6:31pm):
"i don't believe the poll, and iranians don't want jews to identify themselves...they want them dead."
That is a flat lie. Even the Ayatollah Khomeini, asshole that he was, issued a fatwa that Jews were a protected people inside Iran.
Jews do not have equal rights as Muslims in Iran and that is to be condemned - but to say Iranians want Jews "dead" is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
Anonymous (November 14, 2007 @ 2:45pm):
Those minutemen at the US border are probably no better than the Nazis during the World War, "Shoot them on site" if the US government would let something like that through, I would love to see they would react when a country says that any white man from America that sets foot on their soil will be shot and kills and have the body dumped in some corner
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