Am I being racist?

Question

When I am on an aircraft I 'keep an eye' on people who look like they are potential bombers. Unfortunately this means I look out for Asians, muslims etc. This categoric field is an over generalization and there are hardly any extremist Muslims with the intent of mass murder - this is where I admit I am wrong. Yet I fail to belive this is me being racist. I think that I am being vigilant and aware of my surroundings so should a suspicious situation happen I can act on it successfully and at least stand a good chance of stopping terrorist attack.

Does you agree with me or disagree? Do I need to re-think my views, should they be toned down? Or am I right, should most people be like me? Is it that racist - if at all?

Answer 1

duh ofcourse ur wrong ur are being stupid
listen not all muslims or not all black are bad or terrorist maybe this werid man who is from arab might be acting suspious but then the bober might be the really cute and inoocent girl sitting next to you .
read this and u ll find out that u were wrong about muslims
This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick to declare a 'Middle Eastern conspiracy' behind the attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed Forces.

Let us analyze this allegation of 'fundamentalism' and 'terrorism':

1. Definition of the word 'fundamentalist'

A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.

2. Not all 'fundamentalists' are the same

One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns much respect.

3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist

I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.

4. Dictionary meaning of the word 'fundamentalist'

According to Webster's dictionary 'fundamentalism' was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary 'fundamentalism' means 'strict maintenance of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam'.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.

5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist

Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word 'terrorist' is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.

6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. 'terrorist' and 'patriot'

Before India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labeled as terrorists by the British government. The same individuals have been lauded by Indians for the same activities and hailed as 'patriots'. Thus two different labels have been given to the same people for the same set of actions. One is calling him a terrorist while the other is calling him a patriot. Those who believed that Britain had a right to rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots and freedom fighters.

It is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged accordingly.

7. Islam means peace

Islam is derived from the word 'salaam' which means peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote peace throughout the world.

Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion of Peace: Islam. He should be a terrorist only towards the antisocial elements in order to promote peace and justice in the society

Answer 2

Muslims aren't an ethnic group. It's a religion, so people of any race can be a Muslim. The same country were Muslims predominate can also have Christians or any other number of religions.

And can you always identify an Asian, such as America classifies them? A Pakistani is often grouped with a Japanese.

People identify the wrong groups of people as "foreign" and "Muslim" all the time. I know it because I've had to deal with it and so have so many of my non-white friends, acquaintances and relatives.

Edited to add:
There are a lot of non-Middle Eastern looking terrorists in the former USSR. Don't swallow what the media feeds you.

Answer 3

No I don´t think you are racist, with all the things happening in the world your reaction is normal but my advise is that you should meet an Asian or Muslims and you will realize that they are very good people, not all Asian people are extremist your ideas doesn't came from the place you born or the race you belong.
My home language is spanish so I probably committed some mistakes sorry!

Answer 4

I am not a racist at all but since I know that the terrorist that are out to get us are of middle eastern decent I can't help but feel the same way when at the airport. I don't feel that way anywhere else though. I work with many people who are from the middle east and I feel nothing negative towards them. I think after 9/11 we are all a little bit more weary when getting onto a plane.

Answer 5

Yep, as I thought stupid liberal responses. Your not being racist, as the pig above says if a terrorist is going to strike the chances are in this day and age he or she (but usually a he) will be your stereotypical Muslim. The housewife opinion above is just bizarre on so many levels (give anyone a badge on here these days). Besides if being 'racist' keeps you and your family alive, well then racist it is then

Answer 6

this does not make you a racist, you are just being sensitive to what you hear in the media. although, "eyeing" a specific group of people is not the best thing to do, though. for instance, say that there is a white man, a black man, and a middle eastern man. in most situations, the automatic assumption of most, is to suspect the black man and the middle eastern man of doing something. now say that your focus was on them, and the white man actually did something. you are not being cautious, you are setting yourself up for possible harm. this could happen in any scenario of cultures. so the best thing for you to do without seeming like a "racist" is to keep an eye on everyone. color doesnt make actions, people make actions.

hope that this clarified something.....

Answer 7

I can't say you're being racist, as known terrorists have been middle eastern, muslims. However if you're only looking for a muslim "looking" person, a white muslim could just pass right under your radar.

The point is, anyone can be a terrorist, and I would keep my eyes open for ANYONE who looks suspicious.

Answer 8

this is where it gets like weird...i know we don't want another 9/11 or Virginia Tech to happen but why i really don't like to stereotype...a bomber can really be anyone...Black, White, Hispanic, anything you know...if i see someone acting suspicious hell yeah i'm gonna get frightened but not because they're Muslim or whatever...i don't think you're racist though...you just have some issues like a whole bunch of people...i understand where you are coming from but i really hate stereotyping...and a serial killer can be anyone...Colombine???...remember...

Answer 9

No, you don't think ALL asians are terrorists, but you are watching for anyone behaving suspiciouly. Thats ok in my book!

Answer 10

So you would have completely missed the white "housewife" type lady who was loaded with C4 on a belt bomb.

You are racist.