Last night, before tending to the hysteric in the house, the Matron attended a kick-ass, fabulous Obama fundraiser--hundreds of people and Minnesota talent to the tune of Prudence Johnson and The Honeydogs.
Goosebumps were had by all! Checks written!!!
But the Matron was bothered by the Obama campaign representative who used the words "smear" and "accuse" to describe the Republican assertions that Barack Obama is a Muslim or an Arab.
She's heard those words before: on the radio, on the tv, in the paper. The language -- smear and accuse -- implies that there is something instrinsicly suspect about said conditions, Arab or Muslim. Something from which one runs, screaming.
This unexamined prejudice in the media and on the campaign trail bothers the Matron -- and so does the fact that if Obama is to win (and he must), he cannot be a Muslim or Arab.
We're not there yet, as a nation. And that deeply rooted prejudice is what nobody's talking about.
11 comments:
Excellent point! And have you seen this piece yet?
Interesting insight! Thanks for your great blog!
We are definitely NOT there as a nation - I'm amazed and overjoyed that this country nominated a bi-racial (African/Anglo)individual for the presidency. Since 9/11 I'm afraid that this nation will continue to fear - in general - Arab and Muslin Americans, and fear even more Arab and Muslim people from other countries.
Excellent link, Suburban. Thank you!
yes it is there and it is very ugly... many people here in the South would vote for Satan himself before voting for Obama ... there is all sorts of code talk going on for some Arab or Muslin is standing in for race.. in their twisted way of thinking they think it is more PC to say I am not voting for him because he is Arab.. I wish the election was today......
My grandfather would call this a case of "you can't see the forrest because of the trees." I'm ready for this election to be OVER!
You are so right. That's been bothering me, too.
But we're getting there, one negative stereotype at a time. From someone who still hasn't recovered from the Hillary smears.
Were you in my Dad's kitchen with us on Saturday??? As an Arab woman, it kills me whenever someone talks about being an Arab as being bad. As the daughter of a Muslim man, I have worried plenty about my father's safety.
Perhaps, sadly, more honest is that some of my father's closest friends (other Lebanese Americans that he grew up with...who he fought with as a Marine in Vietnam, who he spent 32 years as a police officer with) are going to vote for McCain because Obama is bi-racial.
Let's vote tomorrow. I'm ready. I'm also scared about what will happen when we elect Obama.
Absolutely. Remember when JFK ran and people were afraid a Catholic couldn't get elected? A Muslim might not be able to get elected yet, but it's not an "insult" to be called a person of that faith.
Thank you for writing about that. I lived in Lebanon for several years as a child and am sensitive to this issue. Why isn't anyone speaking of this? Well, you are. And you are doing it well!
You are so right Matron,this even makes me angry, all the way at the bottom of the world.
Post a Comment