Negative Perception Of Islam Increasing

[onehandle]

As the war in Iraq grinds into its fourth year, a growing proportion of Americans are expressing unfavorable views of Islam, and a majority now say that Muslims are disproportionately prone to violence, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The poll found that nearly half of Americans -- 46 percent -- have a negative view of Islam, seven percentage points higher than in the tense months after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, when Muslims were often targeted for violence.

The survey comes at a time of increasing tension; the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq show little sign of ending, and members of Congress are seeking to block the Bush administration's attempt to hire an Arab company to manage operations at six of the nation's ports. Also, Americans are reading news of deadly protests by Muslims over Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad.

Conservative and liberal experts said Americans' attitudes about Islam are fueled in part by political statements and media reports that focus almost solely on the actions of Muslim extremists.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/08/AR2006030802221.html

And Rove smiles.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. This is a good example of how media shapes perceptions

If you took a survey of these same people and asked how many of them personally knew Muslims, you'd probably find that very few have Muslim friends. If there are Muslims in their area, especially in the Midwest/South in smaller towns, those Muslims are keeping a low profile and are trying their best to "blend in". I've known folks who say Muslims are terrible, but when I mention the local doctor who is Muslim, they look surprised and then change their tune.

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2154903