Muslim Stereotypes

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Recommended: The effect of prejudice on individual, society, education

With today’s political climate and foreign policies arising from terrorist attacks from mainly Muslim terrorist groups, the Islamic faith is one of the many oppressed religions in the United States. All of these stereotypes of Muslims being terrorists and blood hungry individuals stemmed from the nationalistic fear instigated by the horrible events that happened on September 11, 2001. Additionally, the influence and popularity of Christianity in the United States throughout history aided in the religious oppression of people of the Islamic faith since they were not only associated with terrorism, but they were seen as foreign as well. However, all of these accusations and stereotypes surrounding Islam as an influence of terrorism are made because …show more content…

Going through with this project pushed me to confront my first ever encounter with a situation where a microassault was directed towards someone I knew. When my Muslim friend Kay came over to my house, she was wearing her head wrap or hijab, and my mother’s boyfriend who is white noticed this as well as the fact that she is black. Rather than greet my friend, he proceeded to ask her how long she had lived in the United States and was surprised when my friend responded that they had been born in the United States. Living in Southern California, I hardly ever hear anyone ask someone of the Islamic faith or of a different race how long have they lived in the United States. Clearly, I was brought to acknowledge that these stereotypes towards anyone of the Islamic faith being solely being seen as immigrants is still extremely prominent in today’s society. I witnessed the cycle of oppression be further encased and I did not even speak out against it. As I challenged my assumptions, I was also reminded how powerless I felt towards these stereotypes that kept people like my friend oppressed and myself as well since I felt that I would not be able to make a difference to thinking of this man who thinks he is superior. Overall, I was enlightened on the religion of Islam and was able to experience how stereotypes and prejudice hinder human progress towards ending oppression. Although the cycle of oppression may be difficult to break, when one gains insight and recognizes these stereotypes or institutions that keep religions or people oppressed, they are able to help further the cause to ending

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