What if Barack Hussein Obama was Muslim or Arab?
There has been anger at McCain supporters for accusing Barack Obama of being Muslim or Arab. But why is that an “accusation”? Why has no one asked why it would matter if he was Muslim or Arab?
By Sandra Larriva Henaine on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 - 737 words.
So what if Obama were Arab? Would that make him a terrorist?
No, it wouldn’t. And that is the most disturbing aspect of this race for the U.S. presidency.
For the duration of his campaign, Barack Hussein Obama has been accused of being Arab and or Muslim, adjectives most likely used interchangeably by people who see being Arab and or Muslim as something negative. It’s likely they don’t know the difference between the two.
Obama has responded to these criticisms by saying he is proud of his background – his father was from Kenya – but has not asked his critics why they consider being Muslim or Arab a bad thing. Why? Because if he did he would risk losing a significant number of voters, those who are still undecided and those who are too afraid to elect a candidate who will not vouch to “win the war on terror” and “kill the enemy”. After all, he is a politician, and one who cannot help this country before gaining Americans’ trust.
Incidentally, there are Arabs in the Middle East, but there are also Persians, Punjabis, Pashtuns and Berbers, among many others. There is also a great number of Muslims in that same region, but the largest group lives in Indonesia. The Middle East is also home to Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Bahais, and more. Most Iranians are Muslims, but they are not Arabs, and neither are Afghanis or Pakistanis. My point being that it is hard to generalize with terms as diverse as these.
So why has everyone remained silent to these broad generalizations? Where are the journalists? (I have only read a few articles that address this issue).
Where are this country’s Arabs and Muslims? Why are their voices not heard in the mainstream media? There are plenty of opinions out there, but they only surface when we hover over the “search button on our computer screens and hit “enter”. Why? Are we too afraid to speak up because we might come across as supporters of terrorism?
During a Republican town hall meeting in Minnesota last Friday, a woman in the audience told John McCain that she was scared of Obama because she couldn’t trust him. “I have read about him and he’s not, he’s not, he’s an Arab,” she said as the crowd gasped and briefly laughed at the comment. McCain, obviously taken by surprise, stopped for a moment and then nodded and said, “No.” The woman asked, “No?” He took hold of the microphone and said, “No, ma’am. No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign is all about, he’s not, thank you.” The crowd cheered.
McCain’s actions are partly commendable. He did defend Obama against the woman’s erroneous claim (Obama’s father was from Kenya, an African nation that is home to a Christian majority and a smaller number of Muslims: 10%) and even complimented him, but he did not ask her why she was scared of an Arab. Would it have been the same if McCain’s presidential contender was part Irish? There are terrorists in Ireland, and many Irish-Americans in office, but that is never an issue. And it shouldn’t be.
The words “Arab” and “Muslim” have a negative connotation in the minds of many Americans, whether consciously or not. The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, a horrifying act in the mind of anyone with a conscience, were all carried out by Muslims. It is understandable that Americans reacted the way they did after the attacks, with suspicion and anger, even if Muslims from all corners of the world openly condemned the atrocity. Anyone would have done the same. But this ignorance and passiveness is not acceptable seven years later, especially in a nation that celebrates diversity as much as this one.
If we wish to avoid experiencing a self-fulfilling prophecy – one where Arab Muslims, Arabs who are not Muslim and Muslims who are not Arab join forces in a fight against ‘the West’ – we should start opening our minds and our eyes and trying harder to honor the values that this country proudly stands for.
In the manner of vice presidential runner Joe Biden quoting George H. W. Bush, read my lips: Barack Hussein Obama is neither Muslim or Arab and, if he were, there would be nothing wrong with that. I repeat, if he were, there would be nothing wrong with that.
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What if Barack Hussein Obama was Muslim or Arab?
There has been anger at McCain supporters for accusing Barack Obama of being Muslim or Arab. But why is that an "accusation"? Why has no one asked why it would matter if he was Muslim or Arab?
Really good article, and it's a travesty that it hasn't been said in the mainstream…. I feel you are being a bit kind to Barack Obama though, his “helping his country” has involved saying that he would bomb Pakistan, do a surge in Afghanistan, make Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel, and plenty of other disgraceful things. What does it say about a country that it's leader must call for the annihilation of a nation, and bomb places for him to be able to “gain their trust”? I don't believe that Americans do need those reassurances, polls show they are much less hawkish than their leaders… Enjoyed the article much…
Really good article, and it's a travesty that it hasn't been said in the mainstream…. I feel you are being a bit kind to Barack Obama though, his “helping his country” has involved saying that he would bomb Pakistan, do a surge in Afghanistan, make Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel, and plenty of other disgraceful things. What does it say about a country that it's leader must call for the annihilation of a nation, and bomb places for him to be able to “gain their trust”? I don't believe that Americans do need those reassurances, polls show they are much less hawkish than their leaders… Enjoyed the article much…
I agree with (what I presume to be) the main message of your piece and thought the exact same thing when McCain did not explain that you can be a family man and an Arab. Yet you are guilty of what you are crying out against.
“Would it have been the same if McCain’s presidential contender was part Irish? There are terrorists in Ireland, and many Irish-Americans in office.” This in my opinion totally disregards what you have written about. When Irish immigrants came to America they too were racially victimised and the word “Irish” had negative connotations. Signs saying “No dogs, no blacks, no Irish,” aren't too old in America's history. Plus, comedy about the Irish and 'their love for drink' is constantly seen as acceptable even in today's 'enlightened world.'
I don't know why you chose to make a dig about the Irish but you might think that “Irish” no longer has negative connotations, and you might be right, but that doesn't help the actual Irish living in America. Everyone in America is American first and another nationality second. Many Irish Americans are distantly Irish and have never been and although they say they are Irish, it accounts for nothing in reality, especially in the case of politicians. Irish Americans in office lap up the votes from their Irish American constituents when they need them for election or celebrate St Patrick's day on 17th March but do nothing to change the mindset of America towards the Irish, and let millions of Irish in America have unsuitable healthcare provisions because they won't afford them the rights of normal citizens even though some of them have been in the States for many years.
Also, “there are terrorists in Ireland.” There are terrorists all over the world first and foremost. Second of all who are you calling terrorists? That is a politically explosive comment. You referring to the IRA who believe they are fighting for a free Ireland and are involved in a ceasefire, or are you referring to the nationalists and Loyalists who believe that they are protecting their national rights and are also involved in a ceasefire.
To be honest I don't even want to get into this minefield of tension in Irish politics, but just want you to see that you too are guilty of discrimination and you too have chosen an easy target , and maybe you should realise the problems other cultures face in the ways they are viewed by American society too before you just try to include them to prove a point.
I agree with (what I presume to be) the main message of your piece and thought the exact same thing when McCain did not explain that you can be a family man and an Arab. Yet you are guilty of what you are crying out against.
“Would it have been the same if McCain’s presidential contender was part Irish? There are terrorists in Ireland, and many Irish-Americans in office.” This in my opinion totally disregards what you have written about. When Irish immigrants came to America they too were racially victimised and the word “Irish” had negative connotations. Signs saying “No dogs, no blacks, no Irish,” aren't too old in America's history. Plus, comedy about the Irish and 'their love for drink' is constantly seen as acceptable even in today's 'enlightened world.'
I don't know why you chose to make a dig about the Irish but you might think that “Irish” no longer has negative connotations, and you might be right, but that doesn't help the actual Irish living in America. Everyone in America is American first and another nationality second. Many Irish Americans are distantly Irish and have never been and although they say they are Irish, it accounts for nothing in reality, especially in the case of politicians. Irish Americans in office lap up the votes from their Irish American constituents when they need them for election or celebrate St Patrick's day on 17th March but do nothing to change the mindset of America towards the Irish, and let millions of Irish in America have unsuitable healthcare provisions because they won't afford them the rights of normal citizens even though some of them have been in the States for many years.
Also, “there are terrorists in Ireland.” There are terrorists all over the world first and foremost. Second of all who are you calling terrorists? That is a politically explosive comment. You referring to the IRA who believe they are fighting for a free Ireland and are involved in a ceasefire, or are you referring to the nationalists and Loyalists who believe that they are protecting their national rights and are also involved in a ceasefire.
To be honest I don't even want to get into this minefield of tension in Irish politics, but just want you to see that you too are guilty of discrimination and you too have chosen an easy target , and maybe you should realise the problems other cultures face in the ways they are viewed by American society too before you just try to include them to prove a point.
Declan, read the sentence: “There are terrorists in Ireland, and many Irish-Americans in office, but that is never an issue. And it shouldn’t be.”
Sandra says it shouldn't be an issue!
Declan, read the sentence: “There are terrorists in Ireland, and many Irish-Americans in office, but that is never an issue. And it shouldn’t be.”
Sandra says it shouldn't be an issue!
Many Irish Americans in office were investigated by the British press after 11September to see their leanings in Irish politics, so it has been an issue, and indeed many were criticised for having republican leanings.
I just don't like the inclusion of Irish and Irish Americans in an example of non discrimination when I believe that the Irish are still not treated equally below the surface. I feel that by throwing in this example it also does not appreciate the complexity of the struggle of the Irish in America, despite the growth in numbers of Irish-Americans in office. Also, by saying “terrorists in Ireland” is politically explosive.
I like the article and agree with its ethos, but just find that the inclusion of that example causes it problems that it shouldn't .
Many Irish Americans in office were investigated by the British press after 11September to see their leanings in Irish politics, so it has been an issue, and indeed many were criticised for having republican leanings.
I just don't like the inclusion of Irish and Irish Americans in an example of non discrimination when I believe that the Irish are still not treated equally below the surface. I feel that by throwing in this example it also does not appreciate the complexity of the struggle of the Irish in America, despite the growth in numbers of Irish-Americans in office. Also, by saying “terrorists in Ireland” is politically explosive.
I like the article and agree with its ethos, but just find that the inclusion of that example causes it problems that it shouldn't .
Yeah I see your point; Irish people are still discriminated so the contrast didn't have its full power… Also, the premise of this point is that there are “terrorists in Ireland”, which is undoubtedly true, but there are also terrorists in the White House, in the Knesset, in the British Parliament, so the use of the word “terrorist” itself is completely imbued with the bias of “us” vs. “them”, i.e. violence by “them” is “terrorism” whereas violence by “us” is merely “liberation” and “democratic idealism”…. So in fact the headline could have run “What if Barack Hussein Obama was a Muslim or Arab or terrorist?” Because his VP pick voted for the terrorist war in Iraq, and he's just said he would bomb Pakistan which would be called terrorism if it was done by someone else…. Barack will be a terrorist within a week of being in the White House
Yeah I see your point; Irish people are still discriminated so the contrast didn't have its full power… Also, the premise of this point is that there are “terrorists in Ireland”, which is undoubtedly true, but there are also terrorists in the White House, in the Knesset, in the British Parliament, so the use of the word “terrorist” itself is completely imbued with the bias of “us” vs. “them”, i.e. violence by “them” is “terrorism” whereas violence by “us” is merely “liberation” and “democratic idealism”…. So in fact the headline could have run “What if Barack Hussein Obama was a Muslim or Arab or terrorist?” Because his VP pick voted for the terrorist war in Iraq, and he's just said he would bomb Pakistan which would be called terrorism if it was done by someone else…. Barack will be a terrorist within a week of being in the White House
The Irish are Terrorists.
Arabs are Terrorists.
John McCain is Irish.
Barack Obama is Arab.
Presidents are Terrorists.
George Bush is President.
McCain or Obama will be President.
McCain (Irish, Terrorist) or Obama (Arab, Terrorist) wil be a terrorist.
The next President will be a bigger terrorist than George Bush.
reply
The Irish are Terrorists.
Arabs are Terrorists.
John McCain is Irish.
Barack Obama is Arab.
Presidents are Terrorists.
George Bush is President.
McCain or Obama will be President.
McCain (Irish, Terrorist) or Obama (Arab, Terrorist) wil be a terrorist.
The next President will be a bigger terrorist than George Bush.
reply
Declan,
I understand your argument. What I mean to say in that sentence is that there are terrorists everywhere, and that Arabs or Muslims should not be the first people in others' minds when hearing the word “terrorist.” Irish shouldn't be either, obviously, and that was my point.
This is a sensitive subject, and I am sorry you felt I was minimizing it with my comment. One good thing about all this is that truths are told. If Irish are in fact victims of biases in America today, that must be said – I personally had not read about it until now.
Declan,
I understand your argument. What I mean to say in that sentence is that there are terrorists everywhere, and that Arabs or Muslims should not be the first people in others' minds when hearing the word “terrorist.” Irish shouldn't be either, obviously, and that was my point.
This is a sensitive subject, and I am sorry you felt I was minimizing it with my comment. One good thing about all this is that truths are told. If Irish are in fact victims of biases in America today, that must be said – I personally had not read about it until now.
I thought the article was really good Sandra, and I knew what you meant really, I just wanted to bring some light to the issue too.
The Daily Show the other day made a joke about the fact that the mainstream media did not speak about the fact that you can be an Arab and a good family man, but you did beat them to it.