Interesting article, Moghrabi. I found one paragraph particularly thought-provoking:
More recently, with the end of the Cold War (during which prejudice against Muslims coincided with support for Islamic militancy), some intellectuals, such as Samuel Huntington and Bernard Lewis, sought to formulate a theory of Islam as an enemy civilization.
It seems to me that the "free" world always needs an enemy. Friedrich Nietzsche said something to the effect of, "In times of peace a war-like man will turn on himself". I suspect many people are so invested in having an enemy and a threat that they know no other way to live. We can't look to the Russians as the big bad wolf any longer and you have to admit that with 9-11 the middle East did kind of set itself up for the position.
Don't get me wrong ... I think Islamophobia is harmful to everyone. Any discrimination diminishes society as a whole. I think it is unequivocally wrong, but I understand why it is happening. US leaders need someone to fight with. Their rep as being the tough guy on the block is in jeopardy if they have no one to prove themselves against. And what would they do with all the war toys they've developed and collected?? A peaceful world is not in their best interest, philosophically or financially.
On a personal note, I must admit to owning some prejudices. I have no fear of middle Eastern peoples, but my judgement of politicos, both US and Canadian, is a prejudice in itself. I think that may have been the point Rick was making.
Moghrabi, are you Islamic? I have noticed you are very vocal about these topics. If so, how is this affecting you personally? It would be interesting to speak with someone who is experiencing it first hand.
I had never experienced any kind of discrimination until I went to work for a branch of the BC government. I was only the 3rd woman ever hired in that segment. That I was a lesbian was no big deal. That I was a woman was. I had lesser security clearance than men who were hired after me, got treated like a second rate citizen in any area where my union didn't specifically protect me. It was so weird to be in that position. It was also extremely educational for me.
Prejudice is completely irrational and cannot be met with any kind of intellectual argument. Being somewhat outspoken (ahem, ok, very outspoken), I ended up being quite unpopular with my boss at times. I didn't take any shit from him. I went over his head a couple of times to level the playing field. Because I have little fear of anything, I was able to do that, but there was another woman there who could not afford to lose her job and was at the mercy of the discrimination.
Anyway, good article.