Introduction Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.
Thesis
Islam in America
…show more content…
He developed a hate that tore him apart due to the racism and prejudice him and his family suffered at the hands of white Americans. After all the mess he got himself into, he hit a low point and ended up in jail. That is when he discovered the Nation of Islam. This religion made him pick up all the pieces and start a new life. However, over the years, Muslims began to get a bad name. Just as Islam’s image is misconstrued by the media as well as ignorance in the present time, for Malcolm X and the Muslims in his time, it was no different. In today’s media, Islam is always being accused of being a violent religion and for encouraging hate. Anything and everything related to terrorism is automatically linked to Islam. Many Americans, who do not have knowledge about Islam, see Muslims as violent, unpatriotic, and terrorists. Little do people realize that history is repeating itself. The media exploited Muslims intentions back then as well by calling them “hate-messengers” and “violent-seekers” (Malcolm X, 152). They also painted the same picture of Muslims being “fascist” and “anti-Christ” (Malcolm X, 152). They would display “Mr. Muhammad, me, and others speaking . . . strong-looking, set-faced black men, our Fruit of Islam ... white-scarved, white-gowned Muslim sisters of all ages... Muslims in our restaurants, and other businesses... Muslims and other black people entering and leaving our mosques...” in a television show titled
Malcolm X is an extremely critical figure that contributed in shaping American social life. He was a famous man who articulated the struggle, anger, and beliefs of African Americans. He was a radical man who fought for change despite the situation. His struggle for equality for the black nation landed him in prison. While in prison, Malcolm was able to study, and earned a college degree. However, most importantly while in prison, Malcolm X was introduced to the Islam faith by one of the prisoners. He received teachings from the Muslim faith, which made him realize that, his people were being oppressed and abused by the whites. While out of prison, he went to visit honorable Elijah Muhammad and later on went around preaching Elijah
This article talks about Malcolm X an outspoken leader, who spoke about the black Muslim faith and was a part of the civil rights movement. Furthermore, this article talks about Malcolm X’s early life, for example how Malcolm dropped out of school at grade 8 and took on a ‘’white look’’ by straightening his hair. Later at age 21, he learned from Elijah Muhammad about the nation of Islam, he then adopted the Letter X to his last name to symbolize him bring back his lost identity.
Malcolm X was a man who supported violence in getting equal rights for black citizens. To do this, he assisted the national Muslim leader, Elijah Muhammad by sharing the Black Muslim beliefs throughout the United States. Malcolm X started many Muslim groups and worked hard to develop racial pride in his black listeners by recognizing the suffering whites caused by blacks. With the Black Muslims, Malcolm X practiced a vigorous self-defense against white violence. He also urged blacks to live separately from whites and prevented them from attaining their freedom. He affected his followers so much that when his followers would see white people they would often harass or hurt the white people. Through his travels in the Middle East and Africa, he began to realize and change his views regarding potential brotherhood between black and white Americans and rejected the view that all whites were devils. (Harris 99) He thought that one day his religion could unite people of all races. To do this he formed his own group, The Organization of Afro-American Unity. Many people, both black and whites admired his tireless efforts to build pride in blacks and whoever shared his dreams that someday everyone would be joined in brotherhood. Malcolm X was admired by many people because of his drive to unite the blacks and whites as one, but many people also condemned his as a hypocrite and traitor because of his change in views. Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a notable leader during the civil rights movement. At the age of 20 he committed multiple burglaries, which led to him having a six year prison sentence. He often professed his hatred towards white people often calling them “blue -eyed white Devils” this hatred triggered his use of violence in order to gain freedom for not only the colored community, but also the Nation of Islam community in which he was heavily apart of during his prison sentence. His known name of Malcolm X represents the unknown relatives he lost after entering a “White America”. Malcolm X was a member of the Nation of Islam religion (NOI), led by Elijah Muhammad. He later left the temple that Elijah Muhammad preached at in order to enter the more commonly
Despite his extreme radical views, Malcolm X remains a somewhat relatable character throughout the autobiography. Malcolm reminds us that he is human by reflecting on his mistakes and showing his transition to the Muslim faith. Beginning with the story of the death of his father and his abuse he received from his mother, he sets a sympathetic scene, to which we can comprehend. The abuse he endured as a child for being “whiter” than the other children foreshadows his future beliefs against the white population. As he goes through his life story, he describes finding Islam as somewhat of a saving grace. We see that this is true based on his previous crime and drug history before finding Islam. Later in the novel, Malcolm begins to go through a transition of sorts, to which his radical beliefs towards all whites lessens and he begins to believe that the white population is not all made up of devils as he had previously thought. All of these variables and more help
Religious systems and various interpretations of religious systems are considered to be historically contingent according Scholars. Historically contingent means that there is change and evolution within society and that cultural, political, and social circumstances can determine the interpretation and application of lessons found within religious traditions. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X were two very influential men within their communities. MLK Jr. and Malcolm X were both African American civil rights activists. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actions were defined by his belief in civil rights in his Protestant Christianity while Malcolm X’s life was motivated by two Islamic contexts which were the Nation of Islam and the traditional
Malcolm no longer viewed whites as evil and believed for a cross race alliance. Malcolm X visits several African nations that have won their independence from European powers and is inspired. “I’ve never seen so many whites so nice to many blacks as you white people in Africa”(X, 362). Malcolm is seeing all the racial integration within Africa and is overwhelmed by it. Malcolm gets inspired with the context of a worldwide movement and is creating a new version of Islam with philosophy from different versions of Islam. Malcolm X wanted part-unity and socialism that now accepted white people into his organization wanting it to grow. He was giving out full support for other black organizations trying to achieve results. Also he was beginning to work with other black leaders like Martin Luther King whom he criticized. Malcolm started to criticize The Nation of Islam with saying that Elijah was fake and that the Nation was blinding blacks which was hurting the human rights movement. The movement Malcolm made had little support because of the mind-set of the black community at the time. The African Community mindset is that they have been controlled and weakened by racism so Malcolm needs to be strong to fight for human rights. So Malcolm preaches the problems with blacks in America to change their
After Malcolm X reverted to the religion of Islam while incarcerated he became a minister (under the rule of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam) and often preached about the wrong doing of the white man. In one of his sermons Malcolm says, “black people in this country have been the victims of the white man for 400 years.” (Lee, Malcolm X) referring to slavery and to the present day racism that still plagues America in fault of the white man. Lee often depicts Malcolm in this part of his life as an enraged African American with hate for the white man because of all he’s done to the “original man” (the African American). During these years of Malcolm's life it’s clear to see that his views were somewhat misguided, making statements in conferences such as “Yes I said all white people are devils.” (Lee, Malcolm X) While white supremacy in America was an extremely pressing matter, the extent to which Malcolm X took the issue was overemphasized. Lee emphasizes that Malcolm X was not only viewing the supremacists and racists themselves as the enemy but rather all white people in
Everyone of us has our own unique culture and religion identification in the world. Also, known by the culture beliefs, behavior patterns, and which group or religion, we represent, but we have to represent each other because of their religion after all we are all human beings first. Also, their are many different variations of cultures living together in the same neighborhood, these days, and representing each other for cultures identity and what we believe in. We need to avoid any misunderstanding there is in the world about any cultures or religion.
Americans view Muslim people as terrorists but the thing is there not. Only 27%of people don't think that Muslim people are just like regular people. But others don't agree they think that Muslim people are different and don't belong here. Because AL QAEDA killed nearly 3,000 people in NEW YORK CITY, PENNSYLVANIA, and WASHINGTON D.C. Many people don't like Muslims because of their history many many many Muslims are upset because of the results of the American people and their votes.
According to research obtained by Cornell University scientists, 92% of Americans watch TV, 87% read newspapers, and 81% specifically watch local or national televised news stations…
In last decade, the United States has become an immigrant society once again, approximately one million immigrants annually entered. It was large number of immigrants compared to United States history, but also there are lot of diversity in religion and in the characteristics of the new immigrants. Muslims are one the large number of immigrants who became citizens now in America. However, there are no clear data or number of how many Muslims live in the United States now. Muslim in America or American Islam has both some equality and quite challenges living in United States society.
Many things have troubled the relationship between the West and Islam. The media has contributed to how the Western civilization views Islam and Muslims which essentially created the idea of an “us” versus “them” mentality instead of coexisting with one another. How people see the world is through the media. The Western media has not contributed positive images. Therefore, misunderstandings of Islam and Muslims have created negative perceptions. This paper will discuss the West’s perception of Islam and how the media has defined Islam and Muslims.
It seems now, with the 2016 presidential election coming to a close and one candidate suggesting religious tests to stop Muslims from entering the country, Islamophobia is at an all time high. What bothers me even more is a large portion of Americans are voting for him for that reason. As a 22 year old Muslim college student studying in America while travelling to Saudi Arabia during breaks between semesters, to visit my Pakistani parents, I have very conflicted emotions about the whole situation.
Driving along the highway, all eyes are drawn as a magnet to the unique building with its golden dome and unusual architecture. The Islamic Center is located at the base of a residential street in a small neighborhood. The center houses an Islamic school, a community center, an international school and the Mosque, which is the place of worship for Muslims.