Hijabs, Hoodies, and Swing Votes: Continuing Racism and Islamophobia in the US

            It would be an understatement to say that Treyvon Martin’s death is nothing short of an outrage and is evidence of the continued presence of systemic racism in the United States. However, Ms. Sarsour points out so eloquently it is also evidence of the fact that in the current discourse of ‘post-racial’ America discrimination against many groups is being rendered invisible due to of a lack of discussion.

*sigh*

            In this particular case we turn to Islamophobia and racism towards those appear to be Arabic and Muslim. In the case of Ms. Sarsour’s article this discussion focuses primarily on last week’s brutal murder of Ms. Shaima Alawadi in El Cajon, California. This hostility is in many ways caused by the tension created by the events 9/11 and the equally violent response by the US government and its armed forces. But it could also be spurred on by the fact that “the next largest numbers of Muslim voters are found in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia, all of which could be key battlegrounds between President Barack Obama and his Republican opponent” (Greene). It is an interesting connection to note considering the return of increase Islamophobia and general racism by the conservative elements of this country in many ways coincides with this recent statistic. As this provides Muslim Americans with a direct line to the presidency it gives them a greater a degree of political power meaning that there is a distinct possibility will begin to see an appeal to the interests of Muslim Americans having strong political currency causing those with anti-Muslim planks in their platform to lose vital electoral votes in key battleground states.

This new power may, in many ways, be perceived as those already anti-Muslim as a direct threat to the political stability of this country, meaning that this coming election could be a very interesting (and potentially terrifying) one to watch in terms of the political representation and perception of Islam in this country.

hopefully not like this

Till Next Time,
Jacob 

Articles discussed:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/05/my-take-my-hijab-is-my-hoodie/

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/muslim-voters-could-swing-election-report-finds/

"A bit boring, isn't it?"

Ten years ago now the Indian province of Gujarat exploded. Violence broke out between the Hindu and Muslim communities and a series of refugee camps sprang up in the aftermath. Additionally the wives of Muslim Womyn throughout the region were changed forever.

Womyn, Hindu and Muslim alike, through the region began to provide to aid to the camps. At first this cause controversy through out their communities, but progressively many have gained a voice in their communities. Ten years later this initial response has turned into a movement that has caused a lot of social change within their communities. Many Womyn have begun to take a more liberal stance on their Islamic faith, one even quit wearing her burqa, in order to take on a greater degree of participation within their communities. 

However, despite their best efforts these are still communities trapped in the ever growing poverty that has characterized Gujarat and much of India. And, to make matters worse, the communities that were hit the hardest by the 2002 violence have become completely divided, meaning that the Islamic and Hindu communities have little or no contact with one another. In the words of one of the womyn interviewed, "Earlier many of us would live in joint neighbourhoods. We had so much joy living with Hindu neighbours, participating in each other's festivals. Now we have only Muslims for company. Which is a bit boring, isn't it?" 

Which begs the question what particular division between Muslims and Hindus has caused the continued violence within India? While I am aware of the long history of contention between the two, I'm very interested in learning if there is more to it than a dispute between the leaders of the country, because even if two leaders, no matter how respected, have a disagreement based on religion that none of their respective followers can see, riots like this wouldn't have happened.

Till next time, 

Jacob 

Article 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17508814