Media Sterotyping and Racial Profiling of Arabs

After September 11th, 2001, millions of Americans feared for their safety, prayed for sanity and searched for a scapegoat. According to Laura Fokkena in the article "Are you a Terrorist, or Do You Play One on T.V.?," America has certainly found its black sheep. The article attacks a discriminating nation that, according to the text, has created an Arab/Muslim stereotype to fit its own needs. Has America truly added fuel to the injustice fire or simply attempting to watch over its own?

For centuries America has discriminated against minorities who either refuse to speak or don't have a voice. Fokkena attempts to speak on the behalf of the Arab Americans who do not fit the mold as Jasmine, princess from Aladdin or Muhammed Bahrib, extremist from Afghanistan. She argues that not only is the portrayal inaccurate but it continues to surface in all aspects of American culture including mass media. The spoofed Arab terrorist is not the only bone Fokkena has to pick with today's society. As our president and his faithful subjects prepare to rid the world of terrorists, they become just as disturbing as the next human bomb. Not only does our government denounce racial profiling but it participates in the process as well. In an effort to locate active terrorists in America, the Bush administration asks to interview 5000 men of Arab descent according to the text. Fokkena undeniably feels that if no one else will speak against the injustice than it becomes a must on her agenda.

In an effort to make a strong argument in her own favor, Fokkena makes the same error other writers make. In that she forgets to state the contrasting point in several argument. Her introduction that attacks the classic Disney film Aladdin, she introduces he...

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...cluded. Furthermore, Fokkena's cry for change from the federal government is a commitment indeed. Since the government feels passionate that racial profiling is a great start, which Fokkena adds, the problem lies beneath. There shall not be satisfaction in using a constant variable as a strategy to aid homeland security or any other measure for that matter. The strength of a nation has been tested as it searches for someone to blame, the finger never finds its way back home.

All in all, Fokkena attempts to make a very powerful argument against Arab stereotyping in media and racial profiling. Even though her findings show distinct weak spots, she doesn't fail to prove that there is a serious issue when a nation moves speedily from one minority to another in discrimination. Until supporters understand the urgency of the topic, her piece will forever be solitary.