A Muslim American's Take on Colin Powell's Speech

After being treated as political kryptonite and depicted as enraged Orcs for the past seven years, Muslims and Arabs -- the media's modern day Morlocks -- temporarily emerged as human beings thanks to Colin Powell's Obama endorsement on Sunday.

The former US secretary of state partially redeemed his tarnished legacy by asking:

"What if [Obama] is [a Muslim]? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is: No, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she can be president?

Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion: he's a Muslim, and he might be associated with terrorists[emphasis added]. This is not the way we should be doing it in America."

Unfortunately, according to an increasingly vocal, racist and Islamophobic minority, which has been shamefully aided over the years by the inexcusable silence of a complicit mainstream media, there is something fundamentally "un-American" about wearing the contemporary Scarlet Letter: Muslim.

The October surprise unleashed by a desperate Republican campaign -- spearheaded by mavericks John McCain and Sarah Palin -- reeks from the stench of a modern day, fear-mongering McCarthyism -- replacing Communism with Islam.

Obama, that biracial, African American son of a Kenyan with an Arab name, is apparently now a "Socialist with Islamic background" according to anti-Muslim McCain supporters at a now infamous McCain Virginia rally. When asked to prove such an audacious claim, the rabble-rouser replied:

"Well, he was raised in a madrassa [an Indonesian elementary school]... there's a lot of background... I can't do that [intelligently explain my prejudice] right now."

Perhaps he received his cues from McCain and Governor Palin. Although Colin Powell swears McCain is no racist, the media conveniently forgets his obscene and unapologetic 2000 statement:

"I hate the Gooks. I will hate them as long as I live."

Thankfully, the Vietnamese Americans at McCainHatesGooks.com have not.

Therefore, is it truly surprising that McCain's running mate, Troopergate Palin, recently cast doubt on Obama's "past" due to his associations with Reverend Wright, his "terrorist pal" William Ayers, and most recently in a speech where she compared Obama to a socialist:

"Barack Obama calls it spreading the wealth ... But Joe the Plumber and Ed the Dairy Man, I believe that they think that it sounds more like socialism."

According to Sarah the Moose Hunter and her acolytes, such as Rush the Blowhard and Stephen the Untalented Baldwin, Obama's Arabic name and non-existent Islamic roots emit threatening "un-American" and "terrorist-y" vibes.

In contrast, however, Powell's surprisingly tolerant words, which he should have uttered in 2003 in lieu of his shameful UN security council "anthrax in a vial" speech, reflect a growing Republican self-awareness of previously unchecked "smear by Muslim association" rhetoric. In fact, at the same Virginia McCain rally, several Conservative Christian and Muslim McCain voters chastised the "Obama is a Muslim" inciter as racist and unrepresentative of their beliefs.

One wonders what took an influential American personality, such as Powell, so long to make such elementary and rational statements regarding Muslim and Arab Americans. CNN's Campbell Brown should be commended as being one of the first vocal members of the mainstream media to ask, "Even if Obama is a Muslim -- so what?" Even actor Ben Affleck deserves applause for reminding the world on Real Time with Bill Maher that

"Arab and 'good person' are not antithetical to one another."

The next evolutionary step, of course, will be "He's Muslim -- not that there's anything wrong with that." Followed, hopefully, by "Why, some of my best friends are Muslim!"

Eventually, it will culminate with a blindingly obvious realization that indeed Muslims -- like every other group -- are patriotic American citizens, just like the 20-year-old specialist Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan mentioned in Powell's speech. Sultan, a Muslim American native of Manahawkin, New Jersey, and the recipient of the prestigious Purple Heart and Bronze Star, now rests in Arlington Cemetery after giving his life to protect and serve his country in Iraq.

Shahed Amanullah, the editor of Altmuslim.com, reminds us that

"According to the American Muslim armed forces and veterans affairs council, there are currently 20,000 Muslims serving with honor in the US military."

Furthermore, it warrants mentioning that in 2007, the Washington, D.C. Muslim community honored the Muslim American Veteran's Association, which was represented by Muslim soldiers who bravely fought for the US alongside their fellow American soldiers in the Second World War.

Yet, these sobering reminders of our communality are constantly drowned in a sea of divisive hate speech. Surprisingly, no one has asked: "What do Muslim, African and Arab countries think of the anti-Obama smear campaign?" After all, if McCain wins a major reason will be due to his campaign's use of racist and prejudicial fear mongering, as evidenced by the recent McCain-endorsed robocalls.

What does this rhetoric say about America, and what signal does that send to the rest of the world? In the 21st century, is the self-proclaimed beacon of democracy and defender of liberties comprised of a hypocritical and ignorant voting populace so terrified of a "minority" that we vote for the alternative simply due to his "whiteness," which inherently affirms his professed "American-ness?" If indeed McCain is a maverick, reformer and a "uniter" unlike George Bush, how will he explain his campaign rhetoric and smearing tactics to Muslim allies, such as Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan, as we combine efforts on the "War on Terror?" Due to this overwhelming hysteria, are we shocked to learn that according to a comprehensive world Gallup poll -- highlighted in the inestimable Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think - when Americans were asked, "What do you admire about Muslims?" a majority answered, "I don't know" or "Nothing."

When the US had the honour of hosting the 1996 Olympics, the pantheon of athletic talent and sportsmanship, Americans reflected a different mentality. The motto of the Olympic Games is as follows:

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Sadly, the Republicans have lost sight of this sentiment. However, in Atlanta 12 years ago the US -- which includes Republicans, Democrats and independents - took pride in bestowing the honour of lighting the Olympic flame to a national symbol of strength and defiance.

He has an Arab name.

He is Muhammad Ali.

He is an American.

And a Muslim.

Comments

[ginas13]

An excellent, well written article. If you look back in time, every group of people has been a victim of bias. It wasn't that long ago that the Italians and Irish were thought to be untrustworthy. There were signs telling them not to apply to jobs and such.
America was meant to be an inclusionary country. Are the conservatives going to wipe the slate the the Statue of Liberty carries?

[maryesq]

Just simply well said. Excellent article.

[NoWMDs]

Just in....Jesus endorses Obama....McCain/Palin campaign claim Jesus is a Middle Eastern man who pals around with a dozen shady characters who want to start organizing their community against the establishment by using religion as their weapon.

[PiscesGirl24]

This is one of the most prophetic things I have ever read. you really summarized the the discussions I've been having in my home. Thank you.

[Daveip1966]

As an (originally anglican) atheist father of two muslim children, thank for this post, and also to the people who have commented.

It gives me hope that the world can change and that on November 5th the world will have changed.

[Pulladigm]

The abhorrant behavior of fundamentalists is a terrible reality of the 21st century. There has been great deal of speculation as to the root causes of this apparent phenomenom. However, a contributing factor is silence. The silence of faithful christians, muslims, hindus, jews, Etc. who do not stand up and repudiate these acts as loudly as the fundamentalist. Do most christians, muslims, hindus, jews, Etc. actuall agree with their more angry and violent Brethren? Or are they talking and the media is not reporting it because it is sober and reasonable instead of rabid and bloody?
If my brother were to commit random acts of violence and/or bigotry I would do everything in my power to stop it. If my brother spouted vile words of hatred and violence I would speak out just as loudly to say that he does not represent me or my views and my beliefs. Am I so different than everyone else?

[Jigglypuff]

Thanks for this article. I agree that Gen. Powell's mention of Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan was powerful and important. Also, Sen. McCain's disturbing "I hate gooks" proclamation juxtaposed with reports of his friendly relationship with his former captors in Vietnam is really hard to understand. There was a piece on CNN about how many Vietnamese support John McCain for president, featuring interviews with a nurse and a Vietnamese soldier who were present where he was held as a POW. He must have issued some form of exemplary apology to Vietnamese here in the U.S. and overseas for that statement back in 2000, no?

[RhiannonMR]

I am not Muslim. I live in TX. Right after 9/11 the guys who ran the neighborhood mom and pop convenience store were getting harassed. They are Pakistani. The people of the 'hood ran out the harassers, because these guys were our people. The extended credit, they knew our kids, they lived there and worked hard for their American dream. That they didn't go to the local Baptist church or any Christian church didn't matter. They were our friends and neighbors and NO one was going to mess with them or their kids. That was in a small town, and believe me they did not expect it at all. A good friend of mine who was very Christian converted to Islam because in the Quaran she found something she could and does believe in. She gave me a copy of it. And the poetry of the translation makes me understand there is beauty in Islam, just as there is beauty in Christianity. It's not the religion, it's people who claim it and distort it who screw it up for everyone else.

[kristycu]

I agree- it is always the 0.5% that screw it up for everybody else

[Discipulus04]

well written piece. As as muslim and ROTC cadet soon to be an Army Officer I have noticed some bias within the military. I spent a month at Fort Knox for a Leaders Training Course and some of the NCOs whom I respect and admire very much could not hide their ignorance/dislike of muslims. As a cadet you really can't mouth of to NCOs who are the backbone of our efficient fighting force, but I hope that one day when I have my own command, I can show tolerance by example.

Faried

[Lulliloo]

Thank you Mr. Wajahat Ali. I'm an American living and traveling throughout the world the past 37 years. I rejoice in the diversity of cultures, peoples and ideas.
I respectfully suggest you get your facts straight before stating "The former US secretary of state partially redeemed his tarnished legacy¦"
I can understand the visceral reactions of people who do not know the facts behind that U.N. presentation. You were "mushroomed" (kept in the dark and fed s!!t) just like this great American Colin Powell and millions of other Americans were. Mr. Powell was lied to, deceived and mushroomed by Cheney, Bush and yet unspecified members of the intelligence community and those of the administration filtering skewing intelligence reports.

I suggest everyone absorbe this excerpt at the Aspen Institute by this great man:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLmOoPzjs&feature=related
entire interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLmOoPzjs&feature=related

This photo of Mr. Kahn's mother is the most moving I've ever seen. I've come back to it dozens of times. General Powell has done more in a minute and with one photograph to "redeem" Muslim Americans than any other American.

This photo taken within General Powell's Obama endorsement interview is a profound political statement that has been unequalled amongst the many thousands of statements but for www.barackobama.com issues & speeches.
Any mans death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankinde;
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.

[kristycu]

I to have looked at the picture a number of times -you can't help it- it does have a profound affect on you-it is beautiful and sad all at the same time

[Lulliloo]

Thank you Mr. Wajahat Ali. I'm an American living and traveling throughout the world the past 37 years. I rejoice in the diversity of cultures, peoples and ideas.
I respectfully suggest you get your facts straight before stating "The former US secretary of state partially redeemed his tarnished legacy¦"
I can understand the visceral reactions of people who do not know the facts behind that U.N. presentation. You were "mushroomed" (kept in the dark and fed s!!t) just like this great American Colin Powell and millions of other Americans were. Mr. Powell was lied to, deceived and mushroomed by Cheney, Bush and yet unspecified members of the intelligence community and those of the administration filtering skewing intelligence reports.

I suggest everyone absorbe this excerpt at the Aspen Institute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLmOoPzjs&feature=related
And for a greater appreciation of this great man, entire interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLmOoPzjs&feature=related

This photo of Mr. Kahn is the most moving I can recall ever seeing. I've come back to it dozens of times since I watched Colin Powell's endorsement interview. IMO General Powell has done more in a minute and with one photograph to "redeem" Muslim Americans than any other American.

Now take that photo within the context of General Powell's Obama endorsement interview. It is a profound political statement that has been unequalled amongst the many thousands of statements but for www.barackobama.com issues & speeches.

[larry278]

If the Republican party continues to exist, the Republicans will have influential Muslim members. The Republican party will be forced to deal with the messages of Islam & the existance of Republican, American, Muslims. It is said that Allah wills it.

[GrainneKathleen]

Thank you for your piece. This smearing with the word "Muslim" is so unbelievably hypocritical and ugly and hateful and.... I can go on and on. Every time I hear "He is a Muslim" - and I have heard it from people I thought were progressive and smart - I ask, "So what if he was? Tell me why that's bad? He's not a Muslim, he's a mixed race, mixed ethnicity Christian American, but so what if he were a Muslim?" No answer. Like all blind hatred, there is no reasoning. These are not people necessarily who lived in NY, DC, PA through the horror of 9/11 or lost loved ones - almost always they are not. Yet after 9/11, we had a new scapegoat, a new boogeyman to keep the masses in line. Arab. Muslim. Islamic. Right after 9/11 a dear friend of mine who works near NYC bought a book about Islam - its history and its manifestations around the world. I asked her why she was reading it - it's not her usual read. She said because I don't want to hate. I want to understand why this happened. And I want to know in my head what I know in my heart - that there is nothing wrong with being Muslim. I wish we were all so intelligent and open-hearted.

[kristycu]

WOW-Your friend is what many aspire to be like when it comes to race relations- i love the fact that she is choosing not to hate and choosing to find out the truth for herself instead of listening to the haters

[musselmanm]

"The content of their character, not the color of their skin"
MLK, a true American hero.

[MLGaree]

The rhetoric and language used when referring to Muslims and Arabs today are hauntingly reminiscent of that which was used toward and about blacks, say, twenty years ago. No one was fooled then about the racism implicit in that rhetoric and language and, I dare say, few are fooled today when they are applied to Muslims and Arabs.

To be sure, the greatest strength of America has always been, and will continue to be, the tremendous diversity of our citizenry. Let's never forget that!

Michael Garee