how is this an insult?

Question

I was sincerely disgusted today when i heard my 14 year old cousin call a girl Muslim as in insult. I don't understand how people can be so misunderstanding. I'm quite certain that she didn't understand what exactly she was saying but probably heard other people using it to insult and decided she would use it too.
is there something wrong with our society today where people don't understand where the line is and can't see when they have crossed it?
in school i was strictly taught how wrong it was to use someones race as an insult. and i come from a school where only a hand full of students were of a different race. we all knew that it was wrong to make fun of them for this difference and most people actually saw these people as superior because they were quite smarter then most.
there is something wrong with the way we view anyone who isn't white. and this NEEDS to change.
I guess its quite obvious how things came to be this way. so my question is why did we let it happen?

dur dee dur...I know it isn't a race...haha to think i thought you people could take something serious...obviously i was wrong.

Answer 1

im a muslim well ingorance is bliss with tht mind she wont get far in life by the way im very zen so im not mad abt this but
if she insults somone like tht near a muslim girl she gonna get her *** kicked

Answer 2

Your cousin needs an attitude adjustment, at 14 I was very well aware of what a racial or a religion slur was! I think that you are presuming her to be more innocent than she probably is. I'd talk to her parents before you talk to her about this. Then I'd ask her what she meant by using that name? I'm assuming you're white since you said the way we view someone who isn't, correct? She knows we are at war with terrorist, radical Muslim Jihadists. She may find that to be more unsettling than you know. Though it's not nice to use the word Muslim as an insult, it is a glaring fact that teens can't miss if studying current affairs. Be kind but firm in explaining why it is not socially acceptable to do name calling. Did you ever infer that someone was a commie or communist when young? That was the insult from my younger years. Not fair to label one that but I heard it often.

Answer 3

Your cousin needs to grow up fast.Someone needs to have a serious talk to her.
If she was my daughter I would do something perhaps take her to a Mosic or get her some books about other religions to let her know that not everyone has to think the same as long as they are peaceful and joyful.
When i was young, I attended many different churches with my friends to see what fit me best. I am not really very religious but do respect the rights of others to be so.

Answer 4

Is She? 14 year olds change religions often. They may think that she is.

How is this an insult? Most religious people group the the Mus all together. 911 and so on. When in fact there are 7 races and thousands of religions.

Answer 5

I think all of the other answers explain that Muslim is not a race. However, I get your point about not using things to insult people. I would take her to "people watch" at walmart or the mall. Point out how people talk to each other and ask her how she thinks the recipient feels at that moment.
Good luck

Answer 6

1. Muslims are not a race
2. You said, and I quote you, "is there something wrong with the way we view anyone who isn't white?"
Who is "we". Do you have a source or link???
3. This is the immigration board. Not the race board. I personally have never treated someone different b/c of their race. Yes, I do have a problem with people coming here illegally and living off the tax payers.

Answer 7

People these day's like Americans are not use to different kinds of races. They stick to American culture. But i know people just don't like kinds of people in America!

Answer 8

I don't know that "we' let it happen. I think we are busy. WE are busy parents, we are busy with our jobs, our children, and, our lives, and sometimes teaching children about behaviour is left to the teachers, and, the teachers think they should only teach- not have to make kids culturally adept. I suggest renting some DVDs or reading books about people in other cultures.

Esperanza Rising, and, Drita my home girl are both great. The fact that you are aware of this problem and want to help makes you better than a lot of parents.

Bless you, and, educate her before she gets older and it is too late.

Answer 9

Muslim isn't a race first of all. If he said "Rotten Persian" or "Raghead Arab" or something that would be racist. It is a name given to followers of the religion of Islam.

Talk to your cousin about being a nice girl, not a bad girl, and share your experiences with her.

Answer 10

This is very disturbing to me. At 14, she is still likely to listen to you, so take the opportunity to teach her right from wrong before it's too late. Good luck.