Why do people label one a racist when they start talking about islam?

Question

If theres one thing that grinds my gears is when people label people as being a racist when talking about islam and muslims, if you start saying things about them that are truthful but considered 'un-PC' then people start counterattacking you, I'm very curious as to why? Are they scared? What do you think?

Answer 1

Although, I was born and brought up in Britain, I feel, increasingly, that I am living amongst people who's attitudes and views I simply cannot share.

You refer to people, who, all too easily throw the word RACIST about. This childish name calling, of course, is designed to silence those who hold a differing view. It implies, that if you don't conform to the "right on " political agenda, your opinions are simply beneath contempt. Many people who behave like that simply do not understand that creating a climate of fear, in which people are afraid to discuss perfectly reasonable areas of concern or perhaps express an opinion, leads us toward totalitarianism.

Of course, most people who behave like this are pursuing an ideological agenda, generally associated with left wing or liberal politics. Others, particularly younger people, may feel that it is chic to espouse what seems to be the fashionable view. It's safer that way, your less likely to look stupid and you don't have to think.

I know that your primary concern is - why do people behave like this?
If you consider the influences that are operating over people today, particularly younger people, you will be less surprised. eg. We have a government that is radical, if not revolutionary, pursuing a feminist agenda. We have a media which is also doing its level best to indoctrinate its viewers into left wing and feminist politics. The educational system is doing an even better job, and has done so for many years, of indoctrinating students with its feminist and left of centre politics. I could go on and include, The legislature, The public sector, etc.

I suspect that you are concerned about immigration. That subject, above all, invokes the word "Racist" It's that kind of response that makes me believe that I am not living amongst realists. Do you ever remember being asked by any political party - what your views on immigration are? Have you ever seen the subject included in any of their manifestos. No! you have simply been presented with a Fait Accompli.

What many people don't seem to understand, is, that the issue is not a personal one, I am sure, like you, that I would get on perfectly well with most immigrants. But that is not the point. Managing a country is not personal: It has to be managed at the macro level in the long term interest of the country as a whole.

If you tried to put that point to Matthew Wright of the "Wright Stuff". TV. programme. He would probably put the phone down on you. I have watched him do that sort of thing usually after sneering at the Daily Mail newspaper.

We observe similar sneering on "Question Time" that other TV programme with a rather lefty bias.

Sorry, for banging on, but your question cannot be answered simplisticly, one has to try and describe the circumstances which have given rise to the attitudes underlined by your question.

Answer 2

Alf,
I think your question needs to be defined a little better. But I will say this... Most of the time people hold general conversations that are based on emotion and not facts. People tend to play into perception and form generalizations.

Also, most people do not use RACISM correctly versus Prejudiced or Racially Pre-disposed. In this case you may have people that are inacurately being labeled racist and people making generalized statements that are not truthful.

Political correctness is just what it is. Correctness to serve a political agenda. It does not mean that it is true!

The political landscape is very tricky now but you have to make sure that you have done some research before you speak so openly on subjects and always deal with an even and balanced hand.

For example, religious zealots do not speak for the whole body of a segment of people. There are Christian zealots, Islamic zealots, Buddhist zealots and so on. Whatever religion you are, would you want people attacking you based on some very public opinions that a zealot from your religion has made?

It is when we speak emotionally with only half truths and generalizations that get us into trouble. The only way to counter act such conversations is with knowledge (facts) and logic. Take the opportunity to educate and be able to back your position with valid references.

The climate today is filled with a lot of mis-information and opinion so happy researching!

MC

Answer 3

If you have an argument about something you can't win then you put the person on the defensive by making them defend their personal perspective of the other side.good ploy and most allow the subject to shift from the original discussion to whether you are a racist totally different topic.lol
At this point you need to make a decision either bring the subject back to Islam or defend yourself against their charge of racism.

Answer 4

Well, In America particularly, there is a sense of hatred against Muslims because of 9/11, even though Islam had nothing to do with this.
If Arabs, not Muslims, attacked on 9/11 then nothing then George Bush'es story would not add up. Although 9/11 happened because of western interference in Arab affairs, Americans believe it happened because of radical Islam! Bush used fundamentalist Muslims as a scapegoat for 9/11.
My American cousins said this was the case...yeah right!
So in recent years, sharia law has caused much controversy among Americans (whose media does not show one positive thing). Americans are also inclined to believe that democracy is the answer to all the world's problems. They have been shown propaganda so there is therefore an instant connection to Arab nations with Islam.
+ how can George Bush criticise Saddam's dictatorship and Iran's theocracy when America gets most of its oil from Saudi Arabia?.. which is a cruel monarchy. American companies are built upon the poor who are in dictatorships,etc. (e.g.Batista of Cuba, Suharto of Indonesia or Equatorial Guinea)

Answer 5

Racism is the equalizer.

What does that mean?

There was a protest in NYC not too long ago. The pro on one side of the street, and con across the other.

The people for would gives reasons for comprehensive immigration reform. The people againse, just kept shouting 'Racist', 'Racist'!

Who do you think got the most attention from the Media? You got it, the ones that yelled 'Racist' the loudest.

It is now politically incorrect to protect our borders and our citizenship. If your not from California, who cares if Mexico takes it back? Your in the East, it's not your problem. Maybe if we give them the states they want outright, they'll leave us alone. We might even be the first country in world history to believe it too.

As for Islam, if I state the fact that women are beaten, tortured and hanged for having premartal sex and that is wrong and believe them to be irresponsible thugs for state sanctioned murder, then that makes me a racist in their eyes. I guess I have no right to critize the lack of basic human rights and freedoms in other countries.

The first thing I think of being called a racist for any of this, is that the people calling me that are the racists and want to put me in a defensive position to protect their racism. That's the real joke then it becomes gradeschool all over again.

Answer 6

Unfortuntly in this country you are racist if you talk about anything not white/christian - I know very little about islam apart from it being a very popular religion with good ethics - the problem with most religions (christianity included) is that people listen without thought - they believe what they are told without thinking for themselves. Hence when you talk about it - you are instantly "attacking" someones "beliefs" and they will quite reightly defend it. The truth is that there are radicals in all religions/cultures - they do not represent the whole. the only problem I have with islam is how a few people can "interpret" the koran in whatever form they desire, and every devout believer follows that "interpretation". I am an athiest - that does not mean I dont belive in god - but I havent seen him/her/it yet, but I've not seen a great many things, but I know they exist - so I can't say 100% that it doesnt. Ask any religious person if they believe in aliens - They havent seen them any more/less than god - so should they discount them? My only belief is in myself - something "ALL" religions are guilty of. they make you believe in "something" else.. I'm sure if there is a god - they want you to believe in yourself, rather than killing your neighbours because they dont believe in quite the same thing...

Answer 7

I've never run into that, but to tell you the truth, I don't hang out on street corners discussing Islam and Muslims.

I can't see how discussing Muslims can be 'racist' since there are Muslims of all racists. I suppose it could be 'prejudiced' depending on what is said.

Answer 8

Your nickname gives the game away.

Alf was a closet-racist, but in the end a harmless old git. He wouldn't have said a bad word to the faces of the 'darkies' he met on the street. His utterances were made at his kitchen table and were for his family alone. His brilliantly concieved character was pretty much the personification of a whole generation of Brits, most now in their 70's and older.

But the new, younger generations since Alf Garnett are more aware of their place in a mixed society. They know they'll cause offence if they openly suggest that one colour or creed is less worthy than another. Anybody under the age of 70 should know better and if they can't keep their biases to themselves then they deserve the name calling that comes their way.

Its not about being PC. Its about being fair. Asian, African, black, white or green, muslim, hindu, sikh, christian, humanist - colour and creed are irrelevant. Every person should be judged by what he or she does for their fellow man - no more no less.

Answer 9

They are called racist not when they are talking about Islam but rather when they are Slandering it! We're not scared, we just want to correct your miscconceptions, we have nothing to be afraid about. Where's the proof for this 'truthful' things you say about us. It is true that a handful of people give Islam a bad name, but remember that there are zealots and fanatics in every religion, so why should Islam be the only one to stand out and be picked on?

Answer 10

People must be total idiots if they are calling someone racist...

Islam is a religion...there is no one race practicing it. Why would they call you a racist? That's idiotic. As to what you're saying about the religion that is "un-PC". You're probably saying something about how they are fanatical and intolerant blah blah. I'm fairly sure you know as little about Islam as the people who call you racist know the difference between that and predjudist.