In case you haven’t heard, Senator Barack Obama is not Muslim.
As if this wasn’t already clear to me before trekking down to South Carolina to do what 13,000 other Obama supporters were doing, the Senator has gone out of his way to make sure this point was hammered home.
As I was canvassing and going door-to-door talking to voters, part of me forgot the fact that the man I support for president had laughed off a question from NBC News Anchor Brian Williams during a debate about allegations that he is hiding his Muslim faith. While Obama did rightfully say that he is a Christian, he ignored the negative connotation that was attached to Williams' question. What Obama did, or better yet didn't do, in that debate should have made voters of any faith cringe: He perpetuated Williams’ implication that being a Muslim is bad.
I had forgotten this until I was standing in the local barbershop that served as the headquarters of local campaign operations. We were watching coverage of Obama giving a speech in Charleston. After telling his audience that they may have received e-mails saying he is a Muslim, he proceeded to say that they had been “hoodwinked” without clearly calling out the senders of such e-mails on their vilification of an entire faith. I was suddenly very aware of my Muslim identity as staffers surrounding me were shaking their heads at the shame and embarrassment facing their candidate, my candidate, having been accused of being Muslim. Can you imagine a candidate being accused of being a Christian and then vehemently denying it? What type of reaction would that get?
In the days after that primary, I was in a daze of disappointment. I expected to come back from the trip being even more vocal in my support, even more passionate about the hope and change that has thus far fueled Obama’s candidacy. When discussing what can be seen as Obama’s tacit consent to the negative implications with my friends and family, I detested the comment “Well, Abed, he is a politician.” That much is true, but I couldn’t help but ask myself some questions. Is it unfair for me to hold the man I support to be my president to a higher standard? Is it unfair for me to expect him to hold himself to a higher standard? To do and say what is right because it is right despite what the pundits and advisers think? Would he have lost voters if he said unequivocally to Williams in that debate and to his audience in South Carolina that allowing the vilification of Islam to continue is simply wrong and he will not be a party to it? Would it matter if people knew that Obama’s middle name Hussein means “goodness” and “handsome”?
I think I know the answer to the first three questions: No. It is not unfair of me to have these expectations at all. In fact, I think even Senator Obama would want the voters to hold him to a higher standard because it would, at the very least, push him to excel.
I hope that in writing this, I’m doing just that.
Comments (10)
do you really feel comfortable supporting and canvassing for a candidate who is openly distancing himself from muslims?
im not a politician, nor an important person- but i do not allow people to vilify or disparage other groups in my presence, and speak up- even though it costs me sometimes.
how much more should a person in a position of some power stand up against any form of xenophobic language.
especially when he has been the target of it.
i have the fear that if obama does make it to the presidency- he will be too afraid of being accused of being pro-muslim, and will go to the opposite extreme (as evidenced already).
Posted March 15, 2008 1:59 PM
Posted on March 15, 2008 13:59
An excellent post. This strongly reminiscent of the "controversy" of Obama dressing in African garb in his trip to Somalia last year. Your concern is one shared by many, and it indicates a deeper anti-Muslim sentiment that exists within our nation.
This is indeed a historic race where our two leading Presidential candidates are African-American and female. But these characteristics of race, gender, religions, are all too often brought to the forefront, when there are in fact much more appropriate, and important, factors that should be considered in determining the leader of a nation.
There are so many articles about this concern now; looks like you've started a trend!
Posted March 4, 2008 2:23 PM
Posted on March 4, 2008 14:23
Nice piece Abed. I was embarassed at Barack Obama's
response ( and the media's too). Our country has a long way to go when it comes to embracing all religions. You should hear how Mccain is campaigning in Ohio.
Despite that it is still the greatest country to be in. All religious faiths are protected by law. In this climate of fear it is our job to be the best citizens we can be and above all, speaking out and participating in the process. A lot of fear is out of ignorance. I am glad you and your friends are out there speaking out. Continue the good work.
Tasneem
Posted March 3, 2008 9:21 AM
Posted on March 3, 2008 09:21
I really liked this post. I was thinking the same thing: Why is it okay (even in the mainstream media) to phrase questions in a way which suggests it is negative to be Muslim? Good job bringing this to the attention of many. This post should be an editorial in a major paper. It will make us (Americans) more introspective.
Posted February 27, 2008 6:36 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:36
I really liked this post. I was thinking the same thing: Why is it okay (even in the mainstream media) to phrase questions in a way which suggests it is negative to be Muslim? Good job bringing this to the attention of many. This post should be an editorial in a major paper. It will make us (Americans) more introspective.
Posted February 27, 2008 6:35 PM
Posted on February 27, 2008 18:35
Thank you for your write up. I support your view point and am proud of you that you are stating correctly and openly. I wish that "Barack
Goodness" Obama will somehow read it too! If you have his email, then please do send it to him.
Posted February 26, 2008 12:42 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 12:42
Having the last name Husain, I could see where Obama was coming from. I am proud of my first and last name, but when I walk into a patients room and introduce myself, (I go to med school in the deep south), 50% of the time I get a slight cringe from the patient. The patient already has this pre-conceived notion about you, and it takes a few minutes of talking to them to get them over it. I think Obama should have answered that question better, but he has in his speeches mentioned how he's not Muslim, but he thinks Islam is a great religion. Its hard to be politically correct 100% of the time, and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt-
Posted February 26, 2008 12:33 PM
Posted on February 26, 2008 12:33
I definitely was thinking the same exact thing when I watched the debate. Very disappointing, and I would have expected a lot more from Obama...but then again, I'm sure (or at least hoping) it was not a reflection of his personal feelings but rather just the 'politician face.' Thanks for the post, I agree with what you said.
Posted February 25, 2008 7:47 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 19:47
I felt the exact same emotions as you did, the exact same feelings and I don't think I could have expressed them better... I hear you and I heart you...
Posted February 25, 2008 7:28 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 19:28
Excellent blog, more people should be paying attention to this. Obama and other candidates should speak out against this kind of religious discrimination and recognize it for what it is: a hurtful political tactic that marginalizes/targets a minority in our country. At the very least they should not encourage such behavior.
Though I am a strong Obama supporter, I sincerely hope that he will have the wisdom and courage to be a leader in addressing this issue during his campaign and, hopefully, during his presidency.
-Nick
Posted February 25, 2008 5:56 PM
Posted on February 25, 2008 17:56