The American face of Islam

[The Straight Story]

"Too many people think Latino, they think illegal immigrant. They think black, they think gang. They think Arab, they think someone getting ready to blow himself and others up. People don't see the individual, but who that individual is associated with in their mind. That is hurting American society."

....

"I'm very much not hostile to the United States," he says. "I'm here because I chose to be here. I'm staying here because I choose to stay here. This is my country now."

Make no mistake: Azeez is not ignorant to the prevailing way his people are portrayed.

"I'm aware--all Muslims in America are aware--that there is an image of us out there, a stereotyping that is ..."

His voice trails off as he searches for the least offensive word. He finally settles on "unfortunate."

America's biggest social problems, Azeez believes, stem from bigotry and stereotyping.



http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=335761

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. America's biggest problems have ALWAYS

stemmed from bigotry and ignorance.

This guy is a genius.

[The Straight Story]

2. And sadly, our industries (especially insurance and such) think this way as well

You say poor = bad credit = bad driver, your rates go up - even if you never had a ticket.

People are grouped, and once you are in that group, you are not seen as an individual anymore.

We see it in politics, and even here on DU at times (You're a Christian?? You must be a wife beating fundie).

PART of the reason why is that some stats may be trotted out that verify the group behavior, but then we lose the individual in all that.