BlogHer - Muslim - Comments

The Bridge Of The Great Divide?

WellnessGuru — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:29:34 -0600

I totally agree with Maria on this topic. I will also say this, America has always considered people of color to be Black or African American if they had 1/8th "Negro" blood; and for many years people were persecuted behind that.

Now we have an African American President, who not only is Black and identifies with being Black, but is proud of it. Because of the great man that Barack Obama is; Black or not, a lot of people identify with him and his experiences. I find it interesting that some people now want to segregate his "Blackness" and say that he is the great racial bridge between Blacks and Whites in this country. If he were not the President...would they look at him the same way? Of course not! If he were to put on a hooded sweatshirt and some baggy pants, walk down the streets of the Southside of Chicago, minding his own business of course; he would be stopped and searched just like any other "Black" man.

Let's be realistic here. While I agree that Obama has a great chance to bring many races together, and create a bridge between people and their differences...It will not be because his mother is White and his father is Black. It will be because of the man he is. As he stated on 60 minutes last week, he was the least likely candidate to win this two years ago when he started. The fact that he won by a landslide says a lot about the American people, their readiness for change, and their belief in his ideologies. Yes..if he is a bridge it will be because of the man he is; NOT because of a percieved notion that he is half white and half black; so therefore he is not black.

Monica L. Rowland

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Thanks, Suzanne

Maria Niles — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:39:26 -0600

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. And I agree that Obama serves as a catalyst for inspiration and working for change. It is interesting, as you note, that many people see him through the lens of their experiences and feel that Obama's can relate to their own.

However, I would quibble with the notion that Obama is not black. He identifies as such and therefore is as far as I'm concerned. Just as I appear to be "white" by American standards nobody can define me as such because I identify as black. I would agree, though, that like Obama we don't forget his multicultural background and life experiences and how they impact his views and allow him to relate to everyone, not just black people.

The other notion I find a bit troubling is the idea that there is one most qualified person for every job. BlogHer was founded on the notion that there are women blogging about every subject and that male voices are not the only ones out there and worth reading. There are many highly competent and qualified people for all jobs - Latino Bill Richardson and white woman Hillary Clinton are both excellent candidates for Secretary of State and both have strengths and weaknesses. I don't think there is some test that could be administered that would say definitively one is "the best." Ultimately the choice is subjective.

What I hope is that there are women and people of color considered for every cabinet position and given those Obama surrounded himself with during his campaign including many women and people of color, I have no doubt that is the approach he will take.

A man for all seasons?

the farmers wife — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:04:36 -0600

I think it's important for us to recognize that Obama is not a black man, in fact he is a bi-racial and bi-cultural man. Framing him in this perspective is more accurate and draws us into more productive conversations. As evidenced by the viewpoints you've listed here, people view him through the lens of their own experiences.

The ideal is that we would all be colorblind, but we're not there yet and Obama, as a bi-racial and bi-cultural image can be the symbolic bridge between racism and acceptance.

I want the most qualified people in his cabinet, regardless of race or color.

Of course one man cannot be everything to everyone, and he certainly cannot be a champion for all causes, but he can inspire those who will do the work of change. He can be a symbol of hope to people who are seeking that.

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Kim, thank you

Mata H — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:01:28 -0500

Thanks for sharing what your experience was of this eloquent and brave man. Those among us who stand up for unity and peace are heroic indeed, and should be lauded, not overlooked.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

good point

Mata H — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:56:40 -0500

it als has a great deal to do with the silence and complicity of religious people who know better, but are afraid to speak out.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Thank you for marking the passing of a remarkable man

Kim Pearson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:34:52 -0500

Our culture tends to overlook those lessen conflict, as opposed to those who fan its flames. It's understandable -- we are a big nation, and stories such as Warith Deen Mohemmed' s do not lend themselves to sound bites. Growing up in an African American community where the conflict between the followers of Malcolm X and those who remained in the Nation of Islam was all too evident, I was stunned when Mr. Mohammed made the announcement in the pages of Muhammad Speaks that his father had meant well, but his teachings had been wrong. He explained that the Qu'ran given to the NOI by his father was not the real Koran. He said true Islam was non-racial. He debunked the NOI creation myth about Dr. Yakub, He alled the members of the NOI to follow orthodox Islam. Understand that many of the NOI members who relied on these teachings were trying to escape past lives that included drugs, prison, and many other social ills. Mr. Mohammed risked not only his wealth, but hs lfe when he made that declaration. Personally, I am grateful that he offered his father's followers and the world that example of integrity and courage.

Peace to you, my friend.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Evangelical Disconnect

Sara Gunderson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:43:37 -0500

One thing that strikes me so clearly about this is the complete disconnect between evangelicals’ supposed adherence to biblical literalism and their political beliefs.

So true. I encounter this all the time, and not just in the realm of the political. I have seen the exact same disconnect in business and academics, and in matters of social justice. I have to wonder if it is, in part, a result of Western compartmentalization.

Sara

Hi all It is rather late for

azad — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:45:51 -0500

Hi all It is rather late for me to respond. I want to bring to notice for all that it is our organization Azad India Foundation's initiative regarding sex education in Madarasa.It is our project team who imparts the information in sexual and reproductive health under the project Sanjivini to the women and girls in Pothia block of Kishanganj.Madarassa is one of our many meeting places and has got nothing to do with religion.Our religious leaders are very supportive of our work and extend all cooperation.At present we have set up 4 RCH (Reproductive and child health centres) in Madarassas which is unique in the country.

Al Gore Is More Muslim Than Obama

Megan Smith — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:07:06 -0500

Hi Myrna,

Al Gore Is More Muslim Than Obama because he's been seen hanging out with Rachel Ray.

When I saw your sight last week, I thought it was hysterical. Keep 'em coming!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute
Video Runway

Reno and Its

myrnatheminx — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:52:25 -0500

Reno and Its Discontents

“Soon Myrna’s brutal social manner had driven my courtiers from the table and we were left alone, all cold coffee and hot words.”

Ignatius J. Reilly A Confederacy of Dunces, p.161

Whatever happened to leadership?

snigdhasen — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:48:32 -0500

True, Nita. Vision in politics is so rare. Unfortunately, our leaders come from the same society that we are part of. We elected them. If we think we can do a better job, then maybe it's time we decided to join politics.

But how many of us will be willing to do that?

I am hoping time will iron out the creases. The sooner the better, or else important issues like sex education will continue to be ignored.

And why does it have to be one way or the other ? By all means, teach them tradition and morality and yoga. How does that automatically eliminate sex education?

This either-or culture is killing.

Snigdhasen

Politicians are the moral police

Nitajk — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:41:18 -0500

They had revised the education material and decided to introduce sex education from this year onwards in Maharashtra. However the moral police are still protesting. Mostly it is political. The masses in India are extremely prudish and by banning any mention of sex in schools the politicians are playing to the gallery. This is a big problem in India for every issue. As the majority of the populace is uneducated and unaware it is easy for the politicians to manipulate them.

Nita

What are they afraid of?

snigdhasen — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:26:20 -0500

Thanks Suzanne, you've made the point so well.

It's so strange that some people have countered the so-called cultural invasion by demanding that doors be shut on new cultures and ideas rather than strenthening and informing their own.

What are we afraid of? If we feel our own culture will be eroded because of new influences, then the blame lies at our doorstep. Fix your own house first. Make it welcoming, then all "invading" cultures will take on some of your hue and leave behind their own warm colors.

It has always worked that way in India. The Indian civilization and religion have survived thousands of years of foreign invasions and rule not by shutting its door but by being flexible and open to new knowledge and ideas.

The same logic goes for sex education. From my reading and research for this post, it seems religions were much more open to discussing sexual matters -- including Islam -- than they are today.

Then societies got more conservative.

I think we have a man-made problem here.

Snigdha

Zealots are the same everywhere

Suzanne Reisman — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:46:55 -0500

Whether Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or any other religion, fundamentalists everywhere love to try and force people to live their lives as if nothing has changed in thousands of years. All people also love blaming the inferior "others" - be it the West or whoever - for their corrupting influences on a "perfect" culture. It's amazing how much some people love ignorance, fear, and hatred.

The womenyou mention are very brave, and are facing formidible challenges. Like anyone who stands up against oppression, I wish them the best and hope for their success. Thanks for sharing the information!

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

yes indeed

Mata H — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:10:51 -0600

We never hear comments such as --"That was so METHODIST of Hilary!"..." because we have not chosed Methodsts to demonize as a nationl pastime.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs relentlessly at Time's Fool