Muslim Americans: Discrimination In The United States
Muslim Americans have faced a variety of different discrimination in their history with the main form of discrimination lying within the connection between Islam and terrorism. Due to the fact that there are many different cultures who fall into the Muslim group, there are some cultures who experience more discrimination than others. For example, “Arab South Asian Muslims have experienced bigotry because they are Muslim but also because of their perceived connection with whichever country the United States has been either at war or has had less than amicable relations” (Lum, 2011, p. 371). The historical discrimination of Muslim Americans can be found in three different phases: 1) the founding of World War II; 2) post-World War II; 3) post- September 11, 2001. Some Muslims may have established themselves in America before the United States was even founded, however, they became more widely known post- World War II. According to Lum, there is evidence that was found that many of the African Americans who were enslaved were
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Muslims. Regardless of the evidence that was found, since slavery has been abolished, there has been little evidence found that there Muslim communities and organizations actually existed. During this time period, it was not clear whether or not discrimination or injustice was occurring. Around 1965, post- World War II, the Muslim population in the United States began to increase.
This was because African Americans began to migrate over to the United States, causing not only a physical migration, but also a spiritual migration. Once the Muslim population began to increase, Muslims became more involved politically, which was a dramatic change being they were always sitting there with a quiet existence. During this time, Muslims faced more discrimination for their race than they did with their religion. Both the positive and negative attitudes that people had for Muslim Americans was found more in the American Government rather than “at work, in school, or in the neighborhood” (Lum, 2011, p. 371). For the majority of this time period, having Muslims in America was not viewed as a problem during this time period. Once communism was defeated and the Cold War ended, America’s foreign policy began to view Islam as a threat
(Lum). Discrimination, oppression, and prejudice became much more evident for the Muslim population beginning at the end of the 20th century. Within the first ten years of the 21st century, life became much more difficult for Muslim Americans. Three events occurred that lead to life becoming more difficult: “1) the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; 2) the U.S.-led war against Afghanistan; 3) the ongoing U.S.-led invasion of Iraq” (Lum, 2011, p. 372). The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a council that keeps track of the status of Muslim rights in America, began to report that there was more concern for Islamic behavior, which included both verbal and physical assaults towards innocent Muslim Americans. In addition, harassment and discrimination in the workplace increased for Muslim Americans. In December of 2015, representatives Don Beyer, Marcy Kaptur, Eleanor Holmes- Norton, Joe Crowley, Betty McCollum, Mike Honda, Keith Ellison, André Carson, and “63 other cosponsors, introduced legislation condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslim-Americans” (Scanlon, 2015). These representatives were fully aware that the hateful words that Muslims hear spoken about them are the words that lead them to create violence. According to these representatives, one way to avoid terrorism is to confront the hateful comments that are made towards the Muslim population. One point that they make is that “The United States was built by the belief in liberty, freedom, and equality for every person” (2015). The negative associations that are connected with Muslims is the opposite of what the United States was built for. Current systemic issues and problems (provide current statistics in education, health, economic disparities) The education rate for Muslims is statistically different than that of the general public. 10% of Muslims seek out a master’s degree whereas 9% of the general public seek out a master’s degree. Muslims who pursue a college degree is about 14% and the general public is at 16%. 23% of Muslims have received some college and 29% of the general public have received some college. 32% of Muslims have received their high school diploma whereas 30% of the general public have received a high school diploma. 21% of Muslims have not received a high school diploma and 16% of the general public have not received their diploma either. In addition, Muslim household income slightly differs from that of the general public. 35% of Muslims receive less than $30,000 and 33% of the general public also receive less than $30,000. For Muslims who have an income of $30,000-40,999 is 24% and the general public is 23%. 15% of Muslims receive $50,000-$74,999 whereas 16% of the general public’s income lies within this range. 10% of Muslims have an income between $75,000- $95,000 and 11% of the general public receive this income as well. 16% of Muslims have an annual income of $100,000 and 17% of the general public also receive $100,000. Some of the varying health concerns for Muslims are: smoking, high blood pressure, dental services, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, drinking, angina and heat attack, physical activity, psychological health, stroke, obesity, GP consultancy, diabetes, eating habits, hospital attendance, glucose, longstanding illness, and prescribed medicines. In previous census data, there is not specific statistics regarding Muslims. This is because the US census does not record religion, only ethnic categories. However, with research that has been conducted, the census has been able to gather a general idea of what health looks like for Muslims. Many of the health concerns that Muslims face are related to Muslim practice.
The most concerning health factor for Muslims is infectious disease as well as heat and injury during the Hajj. A Hajj is “the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime” (Dictionary, 2016). Vaccinations are required for the adults and children who attend a Hajj, however, children have still ended up contracting illness during the pilgrimage. Another Muslim tradition is Ramadan. Ramadan occurs in “the ninth month of the Muslim calendar” and “the daily fast that is rigidly enjoined from dawn until sunset during this month” (2016). The reason that Ramadan may bring about health concerns is that individuals who have diabetes may run into some trouble with their blood sugar levels, but due to religious practice, they cannot do anything about it. The Fasting that is involved with Ramadan can also cause problems with prescription drugs, diets, and sleep patterns. In addition, “dehydration, weight loss, irritability and lack of concentration” (US National Library of Medicine, 2007). Many Muslims also face a deficit to health care services. Address the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate or create or enhance privilege or power One way that cultures, specifically America, may oppress or marginalize others is by thinking that their culture is better than the rest. This is evident through the United States Americanizing other cultures. Existing prejudices and stereotypes (based on literature) and Since the terrorist attack on 9/11, the amount of prejudices and stereotypes for the Muslim American population have increased. In a study completed by John Sides and Kimberly Gross (2013) it was found that 58% of the participants associated violence and “violent extremists” with Islam more than they did with other religions. The study looked at Muslims, Muslim Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Blacks, and Whites. It was interesting that the researchers chose to categorize Muslims as an ethnic race. However, from this study, it was found that Muslim and Muslim Americans were ranked highest for violence, being untrustworthy, hardworking, and intelligent.
Muslims. Regardless of the evidence that was found, since slavery has been abolished, there has been little evidence found that there Muslim communities and organizations actually existed. During this time period, it was not clear whether or not discrimination or injustice was occurring. Around 1965, post- World War II, the Muslim population in the United States began to increase.
This was because African Americans began to migrate over to the United States, causing not only a physical migration, but also a spiritual migration. Once the Muslim population began to increase, Muslims became more involved politically, which was a dramatic change being they were always sitting there with a quiet existence. During this time, Muslims faced more discrimination for their race than they did with their religion. Both the positive and negative attitudes that people had for Muslim Americans was found more in the American Government rather than “at work, in school, or in the neighborhood” (Lum, 2011, p. 371). For the majority of this time period, having Muslims in America was not viewed as a problem during this time period. Once communism was defeated and the Cold War ended, America’s foreign policy began to view Islam as a threat
(Lum). Discrimination, oppression, and prejudice became much more evident for the Muslim population beginning at the end of the 20th century. Within the first ten years of the 21st century, life became much more difficult for Muslim Americans. Three events occurred that lead to life becoming more difficult: “1) the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States; 2) the U.S.-led war against Afghanistan; 3) the ongoing U.S.-led invasion of Iraq” (Lum, 2011, p. 372). The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a council that keeps track of the status of Muslim rights in America, began to report that there was more concern for Islamic behavior, which included both verbal and physical assaults towards innocent Muslim Americans. In addition, harassment and discrimination in the workplace increased for Muslim Americans. In December of 2015, representatives Don Beyer, Marcy Kaptur, Eleanor Holmes- Norton, Joe Crowley, Betty McCollum, Mike Honda, Keith Ellison, André Carson, and “63 other cosponsors, introduced legislation condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslim-Americans” (Scanlon, 2015). These representatives were fully aware that the hateful words that Muslims hear spoken about them are the words that lead them to create violence. According to these representatives, one way to avoid terrorism is to confront the hateful comments that are made towards the Muslim population. One point that they make is that “The United States was built by the belief in liberty, freedom, and equality for every person” (2015). The negative associations that are connected with Muslims is the opposite of what the United States was built for. Current systemic issues and problems (provide current statistics in education, health, economic disparities) The education rate for Muslims is statistically different than that of the general public. 10% of Muslims seek out a master’s degree whereas 9% of the general public seek out a master’s degree. Muslims who pursue a college degree is about 14% and the general public is at 16%. 23% of Muslims have received some college and 29% of the general public have received some college. 32% of Muslims have received their high school diploma whereas 30% of the general public have received a high school diploma. 21% of Muslims have not received a high school diploma and 16% of the general public have not received their diploma either. In addition, Muslim household income slightly differs from that of the general public. 35% of Muslims receive less than $30,000 and 33% of the general public also receive less than $30,000. For Muslims who have an income of $30,000-40,999 is 24% and the general public is 23%. 15% of Muslims receive $50,000-$74,999 whereas 16% of the general public’s income lies within this range. 10% of Muslims have an income between $75,000- $95,000 and 11% of the general public receive this income as well. 16% of Muslims have an annual income of $100,000 and 17% of the general public also receive $100,000. Some of the varying health concerns for Muslims are: smoking, high blood pressure, dental services, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, drinking, angina and heat attack, physical activity, psychological health, stroke, obesity, GP consultancy, diabetes, eating habits, hospital attendance, glucose, longstanding illness, and prescribed medicines. In previous census data, there is not specific statistics regarding Muslims. This is because the US census does not record religion, only ethnic categories. However, with research that has been conducted, the census has been able to gather a general idea of what health looks like for Muslims. Many of the health concerns that Muslims face are related to Muslim practice.
The most concerning health factor for Muslims is infectious disease as well as heat and injury during the Hajj. A Hajj is “the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime” (Dictionary, 2016). Vaccinations are required for the adults and children who attend a Hajj, however, children have still ended up contracting illness during the pilgrimage. Another Muslim tradition is Ramadan. Ramadan occurs in “the ninth month of the Muslim calendar” and “the daily fast that is rigidly enjoined from dawn until sunset during this month” (2016). The reason that Ramadan may bring about health concerns is that individuals who have diabetes may run into some trouble with their blood sugar levels, but due to religious practice, they cannot do anything about it. The Fasting that is involved with Ramadan can also cause problems with prescription drugs, diets, and sleep patterns. In addition, “dehydration, weight loss, irritability and lack of concentration” (US National Library of Medicine, 2007). Many Muslims also face a deficit to health care services. Address the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate or create or enhance privilege or power One way that cultures, specifically America, may oppress or marginalize others is by thinking that their culture is better than the rest. This is evident through the United States Americanizing other cultures. Existing prejudices and stereotypes (based on literature) and Since the terrorist attack on 9/11, the amount of prejudices and stereotypes for the Muslim American population have increased. In a study completed by John Sides and Kimberly Gross (2013) it was found that 58% of the participants associated violence and “violent extremists” with Islam more than they did with other religions. The study looked at Muslims, Muslim Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Blacks, and Whites. It was interesting that the researchers chose to categorize Muslims as an ethnic race. However, from this study, it was found that Muslim and Muslim Americans were ranked highest for violence, being untrustworthy, hardworking, and intelligent.