In recent years, the emergence of the Tea Party has shifted the tone of GOP politicians and pundits. Even a decade ago, Republican candidates for the presidency understood the importance of moderation.
In 2012’s push to defeat the “anti-religion,” “Socialist” Obama, candidates continue to portray themselves as strong Christian men. The leader of the pack was grassroots conservative favorite, Rick Santorum, who has voiced byte after byte about his thoughts on religion (at the pleasure of many social conservatives) and said this in a 2007 speech:
“What must we do to win [against Islam]? We must educate, engage, evangelize and eradicate…and that’s the final thing.
As I said, this is going to be a long war. There are going to be pluses and minuses, ups and downs. But we have to win this war to – fight this war to win this war….Until we have the kind of discussion and dialogue with Islam – that democracy and freedom of religion, along with religious pluralism, are essential for the stability of the world and our ability to cohabit in this world. Unless Islam is willing to make that conscious decision, then we are going to be at war for a long time.”
Santorum’s country – or at least his perception of it – idealizes America as a nation of God-fearing, homogenous Christians. As more and more candidates embrace Santorum’s tone and vision, effects will continue to occur. An ICNA report revealed the following facts: 24 states are considering or have already passed anti-Sharia legislation, and 42 million dollars has already been pumped into anti-Sharia organizations.
In Tennessee, Muslim mosques have been burned to the ground. In New York, Arab Americans are nine times as likely to be pulled over by the police for ‘random’ searches. After 9/11, the number of immigration cases opened against Arab Americans increased by more than double fold.
For American Muslims, stereotypes that link Islam and terrorism into one entity still exist. There is no better example than the angry protests and backlash that came from the Manhattan community center.
A 2010 TIME survey continues:
61 percent of respondents oppose the construction of the Park 51/Cordoba House project, compared with 26 percent who support it. More than 70 percent concur with the premise that proceeding with the plan would be an insult to the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Anti-Muslim discrimination and prejudice can no longer be classified as outliers. As more and more Americans continue to embrace the rhetoric of the GOP, the Cordoba Mosque project petitioners and the political exclusionists, Muslims will have to ask themselves: Is my religious identity worth saving in the face of growing bigotry?
I hope that my children can confidently answer “yes” to that question.
Rahfin is the News Editor. He is a freshman majoring in mathematics, economics and public policy.
