Distressed at the irreverent slang used to describe Muslims on DU

[Dunvegan]

I don't know if anyone else is distressed at the epitaphs sometimes used to reference Muslims on DU on occasion...it's as if there is consciousness regarding many other racial, ethnic, and religious groups...but somehow some Americans think that good manners and respect does not apply to Muslims when speaking in general terms.

Here's what I said on another thread regarding a post where a DUer was snarking at the kid's page from DP World which has a cartoon character for the kids called Captain Hamad.

Okay...I'm going there...please explain what's with the "camel jock" reference?

Political Correctness aside, "Camel Jock" is tacky.

It's not very worldly to refer to others as "Beaners", "Jungle Bunnies", "Crackers/Hillbillies", or "Charlie Chans."

We have a very diverse forum here...I read over at the Religion/Islam forum often. There are some wonderful posters there, mostly Americans. But wherever they are from, they belong to the land of DU.

Think about it. I know it's a easy shot if you're carried away telling a joke, especially if you don't have any Muslim friends, but it's not a good way to go about life...being a "uniter rather than a divider."

Pollyanna here...Peace...Out.

I'm multi-ethnic (Father=Ireland / Mother=Black and Native American) and have had people make racial slurs right in front of me about members of my ancestry, from all sides, without knowing I was partially of that particular ethnic group. It's tacky. It's ignorant. It's irritating.

I've also had people make slurs in front of me about ethnic groups to which my best friends/boyfriend/husband/or relative by marriage belong.

In all of these events, it's presented like a "Heh...heh...now that we're alone...those people...you know what I mean..." kind of a thing. No. I don't know what you're talking about. Other than being ignorant.

My Muslim friends have been so frustrated since 911...and, being multi-ethnic, I know what their frustration is like.

I simply think we're better than that on this forum. And if some members need some gentle coaching, or consciousness raising, perhaps they should be offered such counsel.

Excuse my rant. It's just that this is a good place with many enlightened ideas and many critical uniting causes.

I hate seeing it occasionally smack of "Stormfront Lite."

DU hardly requires at least one minority to put down so that some can feel superior.

Excuse my rant...*sigh*...I just dislike seeing this happen.

Especially in what is almost uniquely and solidly a very progressive place.

As-sallamu aleykum...Peace...Out.

[PsychoDad]

1. Wa Aliykum Salaam, and peace to you.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x550940#554337

Insulting Muslims in general and Arabs in particular seems to be quite the sport recently.

I read the post in GD. Lots of thanks to JCMach for again providing an on the ground reality check.

Fear, Ignorance, Racism... I sure that there are different reasons that our brothers, sisters and even our deen comes under attack.

What's important is to remember the example of the Prophet (pbuh).

In a Hadeeth, it is related that Muhammad came upon an old woman one day who was struggling with a burden of firewood. Muhammad asked, "Grandmother, allow me to carry that burden for you". Muhammad then took the bundle off her back and carried it for her.

"You are such a good man", she said after a while,"do you mind if I give you some advice"?

"Of course not", Muhammad replied.

"You seem like such a sincere and good man. You would do well to avoid that rascal Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, and his band of followers. He claims he is some sort of prophet and I hear they are all bad news, and seek only to deceive the people."

"I see" said Muhammad.

The Old woman continued to tell Muhammad of the lies she had heard and believed true, and Muhammad continued to carry the bundle quietly while engaging the old woman in polite conversation.

When they arrived at her home, Muhammad put away the bundle of firewood. She offered to make him tea, but Muhammad bid her to rest while he make the tea for her.

After having tea, Muhammad began to leave, and the Old woman said, "You are such a good and honest man who has shown me, an old woman, great respect and friendship without first knowing who I was. May I ask your name, so that I may tell my friends what a good man you are"?

Muhammad smiled, and said, "I believe you have heard of me. I am Muhammad Ibn Abdullah".

At this the old woman was shocked. "You were showing me kindness while I was speaking badly about you. You showed me the greatest respect all the while I showed none for you". Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Perhaps you are who you claim to be, for who else could have shown me such kindness while I was cursing their name, if not the prophet of the most merciful and most generous"?

Then she said, "Ah shadu anna Muhammadeen rasul Allah". (I testify Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.)


Only Allah can guide the hearts of men, So let us ask for mercy and guidance for those who attack Islam and guidance and mercy for ourselves.

Salaams

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Thank you brother for this beautiful Hadith

I had not heard it before; does it not show us how we are to act when others speak ill of us and our faith? Ah! To be fauna al Rasul!

[No Passaran]

2. yeah

Being white with my light brown hair and green eyes and even having a last name of european ancestors, makes certain individuals comfortable about making comments against Arabs and Muslims without knowing that I am also a muslim (8th generation). I am also a member of US Army and two time combat veteran (OIF I and III), love my country and during my two combat tours I never once experienced any racism or bigotry like I do back home.

My right hand is in the cast right now so I can't really type and say everything I wanna say. Thanks for being the way you are.