Media Terminology

[justinsb]

In my other group (see signature) we're discussing a campaign to ask the media (in the US and elsewhere). To stop using terms like Islamic, Muslim, Arab in conjunction with words like Terrorist, Extremist, Fundamentalist etc. So, just say "Al Queda" instead of "the Islamic Terrorist Group Al Queda". My fear is that always using these words together leads to further prejudice against muslims and arabs in that people who do not have a large local islamic or arab community never hear the terms except in terms of their association with terrorism.

We're not asking for a law or anything, merely a voluntary shift in editorial policy. Any thoughts on this, and whether you think it might work?

[Puzzler]

1. I agree...

... when was the last time you heard the KKK referred to as "Christian terrorists"?


-P

[Beaver Tail]

2. Very True

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Maybe in Canada they'll heed that

I doubt it in the US though. Invoking the brown-skinned bogeyman has proven far too effective throughout our history. Plus, that's exactly how the * administration wants people to think of it. Crazy, religious fanatics with brown skin, not real human victims of our imperialistic policies. Plus associating Islam exclusively with radical religious fundamentalism prevents people from seeing those qualities in our own homegrown Christo-fascists. I'm anticipating MORE conflating of Islam with terrorism, not less.

But you are absolutely right and we should point that out to them as often as possible so I would definitely support your campaign.

[peacetalksforall]

4. Agree. Words and word combination are powerful. The ultimate reach

of bigotry is to condemn all people in a targeted group.

[johnaries]

5. You mean to try and avoid statements like the one quoted

from the LTTE in this post?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1917852

"We have to realize that Islam is the enemy and the Quran is the guidebook to the ending of our Western civilization."

Or crimes like this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1615115

"BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Someone tried to set fire to a mosque early Saturday and the FBI was investigating it as a hate crime, officials said."

Yes, I think it's an excellent idea. I don't know if it will do any good, but it's better than doing nothing.

[justinsb]

6. Thanks for the examples.

I've contacted MPAC (the Muslim Public Affairs Council) to see if they can provide some studies or reports to back up the claim before we start approaching the media.