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Who's Islamophobic?


Valin

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Power Line:

John Hinderaker
9/6/10

Lately there has been a spate of news stories attacking Americans as "Islamophobic," largely on the basis of opposition to the Ground Zero Mosque. Time, to cite just one example, did a cover story on this topic. Putting aside the merits of the term "Islamophobia," it seems to me that while many Americans are indeed skeptical of Islam--understandably so, in my view--there is very little evidence that large numbers of Americans fear, hate or look down on Muslims as such. On the contrary, I think it is striking how little support exists for such a claim.

Since pretty much all of the evidence on this topic is anecdotal, here is an anecdote, if not from Red America then from a red outpost in Blue America, the Minnesota State Fair. In the Minneapolis Star Tribune, columnist Gail Rosenblum writes about her experience taking three teenaged foreign exchange students, including one from Turkey and one from Kuwait, to the Fair. The girl from Kuwait, Nada, wore a hijab:

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Despite the fact that tensions are running high in this political season, they independently confirmed that Minnesota graciousness remains top-notch. At the Crutchee's food stand, the smiling owner offered all three a free cheese-on-a-stick and lemonade (this before learning that a reporter was present). "I want you to like America," she said.

"People here are so nice," said Nada who, observing Ramadan, waited patiently to eat until sundown. "No one treats me different because I look different," she said.


(Snip)





"America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy."
John Updike
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shoutValin

 

I have seen two distinct groups: women who wear the hijab who appear to be of Middle Eastern or Asian descent; and local blacks who happen to be doing their black Muslim thing.

 

There's more than mere geographic differences between them.

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shoutValin

 

I have seen two distinct groups: women who wear the hijab who appear to be of Middle Eastern or Asian descent; and local blacks who happen to be doing their black Muslim thing.

 

There's more than mere geographic differences between them.

 

 

Yes?

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