John Nichols: Horror at Fort Hood Inspires Horribly Predictable Islamophobia

[babylonsister]

Horror at Fort Hood Inspires Horribly Predictable Islamophobia

by John Nichols


Thursday's shootings at Fort Hood army base in Texas -- which have left at least 11 people dead and 31 others wounded -- were of course the "horrific outburst of violence" that President Obama bemoaned and condemned Thursday.

But, because a soldier identified as the gunman had a name that led to the presumption that he was Muslim, the incident inspired an all-too-predictable outbreak of Islamophobia.

snip//

It should be understood that to assume a follower of Islam who engages in violence is a jihadist is every bit as absurd to assume that every follower of Christianity who attacks others is a crusader. The calculus makes no sense, and is rooted in a bigotry that everyone from George W. Bush to Pope Benedict XVI has condemned.

But that did not stop right-wing web sites from exploding with incendiary speculation about a "Jihad at Fort Hood?" and a "Terrorist Incident in Texas."

Fox News host Shepard Smith asked Senator Hutchison on air: "The name tells us a lot, does it not, senator?"

Hutchinson's response? "It does. It does, Shepard."

Neither Smith nor Hutchison had any information to suggest that Major Hasan's name offered even the slightest shred of information regarding the incident at Fort Hood.

What could Hutchinson have said that might have been more responsible response?

She could have emphasized that the investigation of the shooting spree has barely begun.

She might also have noted that thousands of Muslims serve honorably, indeed heroically, in the U.S. military; that American Muslim soldiers have died In Iraq and been buried at Arlington Cemetery; that some of the first condemnations of the slayings at Fort Hood came from Muslim veterans such as Robert Salaam.

"I'm sad for those killed and wounded by a traitor to both God and our country, and I regret that I even feel that I have to write something on the subject. Words cannot express my emotions and the instant headache I received when notified by my dear sister Sheila Musaji over at The American Muslim (TAM) concerning the alleged culprit," wrote Salaam, who served in the Marine Corps, within minutes after learning the gunman's name. "They have not yet released further details such as the motive but I will state for the record that no true Muslim could ever commit such a crime against humanity. As Muslims we are reminded that to take one innocent life is as if one killed all of mankind. Muslims are also commanded to keep their oaths when given."

Salaam is not alone in regretting that, as a Muslim, he feels a need to respond to the incident with an explanation of his religion.

But the conversation between Fox's Smith and Senator Hutchinson reminds us why it is necessary to respond.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/11/06-5

[madmax]

1. Amen, babylonsister

I don't watch Faux News but, I did hear a little of that type of crap on other stations which sent me on a rant here on DU. Just had to vent.

I'm over it now but, this is what will be driving so many people over the edge - on both sides.

[EFerrari]

2. It's not only right wing websites and it's so sad

to have this going on -- on top of this horrible tragedy.

[yurbud]

3. I would like to see some polls of how islamophobia is doing with the American public

I suspect it's failing.