Muslim Voters and Obama
As I reported a few days ago, two Muslim women (wearing a headscarf) were told not to sit behind Barack Obama; Obama’s staffers seemingly wanted to make sure that American voters know that Obama is not a Muslim. Additionally, it seems, they seem to believe that being a Muslim is something to be ashamed of.
That is, at the very least, how Muslim voters interpreted the event; in my opinion rightfully so. It’s OK if Obama wants to make clear to people that he’s a Christian, but one should do so in a way without alienating Muslims.
But that’s not the way Obama’s staffers - and Obama himself up to a point - have dealt with this.
It’s also, in my opinion, a problem created by the media. They’re acting as if being Muslim is contagious and something to be ashamed of. They whisper about Muslims, they ask questions about it as if it’s something inherently bad.
Now, in the end Obama apologized (after Congressman Keith Ellison confronted him with it) to the two women who were told to sit in the back of the bus (the equivalent of it), but it was a sign of something very serious. Something very seriously wrong with the political climate in the US and with the way Obama et al. are dealing with the Muslim-issue.
This has upset Muslim voters and, again, rightfully so.
It wasn’t the first time Muslims were dissed by Obama et al.
Before the controversy with the two women, Democratic and Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison had agreed to hold a speech in a mosque in the US, in favor of Obama. However, shortly before he would give it, Obama’s campaign told him to cancel it explaining: “We have a very tightly wrapped message.”
That “tightly wrapped message” seemingly does not include ‘Muslims.’
Muslim leaders have tried to reach out to Obama, but they have been ignored. Instead, Obama has focused on Christian leaders. The reason is, of course, that Obama is afraid that having a good relation with Muslims may give credence to the rumor that he is a Muslim, which in turn may hurt him politically.
That’s understandable… from a purely opportunistic perspective.
But that does not make it defensible. The way to deal with this is with style. With class. Without insulting and ignoring Muslims. Instead, Obama et al. are acting as if being a Muslim is indeed something to be ashamed of.
More at Shakesville; it seldom happens, but I agree completely with them.
Indeed; respect to Ellison. He had the courage to confront Obama… and quite rightfully so. Obama and his campaign are in the very real danger of enforcing the notion - seemingly alive in the US - that Islam is bad. Well done Keith.
There would appear to be an opportunity for McCain here, to make a point of getting a couple of women in headscarves seated right behind him at something. But would he dare offend the fundamentalist fanatics — who, after all, are much more a factor in his party than Obama’s? Somehow, I’m doubting it.
I definitely agree Obama’s campaign is going about this all the wrong way. They’re so paranoid of having him being labeled a Muslim that they’re trying to ignore everything about it completely.
I think the time is about ripe for Obama to make one of those speeches he’s so good as making, stressing again his religious roots, but telling people he’s not going to be swayed by fearmongering from the Republicans.
I’m not sure they’re being TOO paranoid, since some of his less reputable opponents have absolutely no qualms about doing anything and everything to label him a Muslim (which terribly enough means "terrorist" in the minds of many Americans) I do think he needs to lead by example and not bend to it. I think it would be better if he went to Michigan and got together with a moderate Muslim group, or even better Muslim American soldiers, and dared his opponents to say that a Muslim can’t be a patriotic American (though he’d have to do it stressing his Christianity, sadly enough).
As for the offense taken at this instance. Michael, you say he apologized but you don’t say that the apology consisted in a personal phone call to both women and that both of them have stated that they are perfectly satisfied with this and accept the apology.
Obama’s a total bigot. Muslims should be outraged and vote for Mccain. Obama doesn’t represent the change he tries to portrait himself as. Mccain is a dirty warmonger but Obama’s no better and people should wake up and sart choosing something other than Pepsi or Coke.
No, he’s not a bigot, just a politician. And quite an ordinary one.
As long as there is a two party system in the US, I am afraid voters will be stuck with mediocre politicians who will only eat out of the hands of the cooperations and interest groups…
Obama did not have any problem to go to the Israel’s lobby ( a foriegn state) and talk loudly with no fear, anything he wanted to say, to have their votes. He is not doing so for his fellow muslim citizen who are not lobbing any foriegn state, they just want
him to be normal, if he want to unify americans or make "change". If he let that negative-silence pass without fixing it before November’s elections, then he shouldn’t count on over 6 million muslim americans, because the message "change" will seem to be invalid.
He is not saying anything bad about american muslims, but his silence is hypocritical in dealing with that impression , which some americans try to enforce it about their fellow american muslims, as if american muslims are responsible for political climate in the muslim world, the same way as if japanese americans were responsible for the Pearl Harbor. American muslims are good and proud americans and serving their country in many differnt ways; in the U.S military, in education and science, services, trade..anything that you can think of.
Gee Nevber, i didn’t realize it was that bad! I’m just thinking of all of those great leaders that have come out of the multi-party parlimentary elections, Ehud Ohlmert and his Kadima party comes to mind. No problem with interest groups there. And I know that multi-party approach has worked out well for Italy…
Chris, I am sure American public would not be that confused by a 3rd party in the election system. Maybe one more choice wouldn’t be that bad for those who think, both the Democrats and the Republicans are doing a pretty bad job…. Why am I forced to choose between "red" or "blue" only? Why not a "green" party or a truly "liberal" party??? There are enough Americans who think like me….
Claudia, yes, even better. Do that AND make one of those speeches he’s so good at making at the same time. Ought to be a winner for him.
The real problem is the growing emphasis on marginalizing and disenfranchising the Muslim vote during this election. Neither candidate nor political party is willing to engage in a contest to have Muslims vote for them. The "political enemy" within has been identified and the culprit is Islam and Muslims. Our national media structure re-emphasizes that stereotype each and every night on the news. When Bush went to a mosque after 9/11, he was lambasted by the media and by the religious right. His second visit to the same mosque recently was done sans media coverage. The sad fact is that the "silly few" with their highly cantagious anti-Muslim agenda are winning this election. What’s wrong with visiting a mosque or being called a Muslim. As long as mosques are considered "terrorist convention centers", Muslims as purveyors as radical fundamentalist terrorists, and Islam as a religion of war and terror - then no candidate will touch any Muslim with a 50 foot pole. It’s no surprise that Congressman Ellison - an elected public official who met with opposition to his taking his rightful seat in Congress simply because he was a Muslim - has been dis-invited from campaigning for Obama. While Obama considers it a smear to be labeled a Muslim and has said he has been derelict in addressing Muslims during his campaign - the real problem to the over 7 million American Muslims that it’s no smear to them to be labeled a Muslim. Until Muslims and Islam are looked in a positive light, the "political" darkness will still envelop the American Muslim community.