Islamophobia- Entry #4

As many as you have probably heard social media has been exploding with the hashtag #istandwithAhmed. This is a result of a freshmen in high school in Irving, Texas being arrested after he brought a home made clock to school. Ahmed Mohamed was beyond excited to show his teacher his invention, but instead hours after showing his teacher he was put into hand cuffs then detained. All because a teacher, who had no idea he did this for a class, assumed it was a bomb. Social media began buzzing with the hashtags and began voicing their opinions on whether the school did the wrong thing or not. But this runs much deeper then a schools mistake.
September 1, 2001 changed the lives for many innocent Muslim people. They were profiled and discriminated against because of  the actions of a few extremist. Now, Muslim people are perceived as  evil. If you ask random people what's the first thing they think of when they hear the word "terrorist" they will most likely answer with "Muslim." So how is a religion who teaches love, passion, and respect seen as evil? Media. Media plays a huge role and over the years media has played a huge role in the way Muslims are seen to the public. The media has done a great job convincing people that Muslim women are all oppressed and that every Muslim will kill for their beliefs. Muslims are constantly being discriminated against, but this is okay, because to America, the few extremists represent the entire religion.

So what does Ahmed have to do with anything? If Ahmed had not been Muslim he would have never been arrested. But because of his background he was profiled and arrested. Ahmed represents Muslims in America. I challenge you and anyone who will read this to think of a stereotype you hear on a daily basis. Now go out and find someone you think might fit this stereotype. Go on a date, grab some coffee, befriend them. Let them prove you and that stereotype wrong. You might learn a little bit about the world and about yourself. 

#ISTANDWITHAHMED