By Since the attacks in San Bernandino, Calif. and Paris, hate crimes jumped yet again against the group that always has to pay for horrendous acts they never committed.
Muslims.
The attacks are propagated by anti-Muslim rhetoric. The pen really is mightier than the sword. As unbelievable as it sounds, some people actually take reality TV and that neurosurgeon who needs neurosurgery seriously.
We saw that when mosques got threatened with promises of bombs, actually got bombed and were set on fire.
We saw that when a little girl was punched and called “ISIS” by her fellow middle-schoolers.
We saw that in the anti-Muslim free-for-all the Republicans called a debate.
We see that week after week after week.
We saw that so much, in fact, that MuslimGirl unfortunately had to publish a safety crisis guide.
On Dec. 17, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., and many other House Democrats took action by proposing legislation that would condemn anti-Muslim bigotry and those who promote it.
“We must show that we will not tolerate this anti-Muslim discrimination and that those who propagate it do not represent the melting-pot America that we celebrate,” Beyer said.
“These harmful words eventually lead to the very acts of violence many came to our country to escape in the first place. It’s time Congress stood up to condemn these attacks which run contrary to American values,” he said.
The bill would bring the effect of hateful rhetoric to national attention. It would reaffirm the First Amendment during a time many need reminding of it.
The House Resolution entails the following text:
- “Condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States.
Whereas the victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes and rhetoric have faced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because they were Muslim or believed to be Muslim;
Whereas the constitutional right to freedom of religious practice is a cherished American value and violence or hate speech towards any American community based on their faith is in contravention of our founding principles;
Whereas there are millions of Muslims in the United States, a community made up of many diverse beliefs and cultures, and both immigrants and native-born Americans;
Whereas this Muslim community is recognized as having made innumerable contributions to the cultural and economic fabric and well-being of American society;
Whereas hateful and intolerant acts against Muslims are contrary to the American values of acceptance, welcoming, and fellowship with those of all faiths, beliefs, and cultures;
Whereas these acts affect not only the individual victims but also their families, communities, and the entire group whose faith or beliefs were the motivation for the act;
Whereas Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious articles of clothing have been disproportionately targeted because of their religious clothing, articles, or observances;
Whereas the rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence, and cultural ignorance plays into the false narrative spread by terrorist groups of Western hatred of Islam, and can encourage certain individuals to react in extreme and violent ways.”
To combat the anti-Muslim bigotry, if passed, the House of Representatives:
- Expresses its condolences for the victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes;
- Steadfastly confirms its dedication to the rights and dignity of all its citizens of all faiths, beliefs, and cultures;
- Denounces in the strongest terms the increase of intimidation, violence, vandalism, arson, and other hate crimes targeted against mosques, Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim;
- Recognizes that the Muslim community in the United States has made countless positive contributions to our society;
- Declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all United States citizens, including Muslims in the United States, should be protected and preserved;
- Urges local and Federal law enforcement authorities to work to prevent hate crimes; and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those perpetrators of hate crimes; and
- Reaffirms the inalienable right of every citizen to live without fear and intimidation, and to practice their freedom of faith.
We see you, Mr. Beyer and fellow cosponsors. Thank you for helping us plead the first. Thank you for showing true leadership and what America is really about.
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Image: Wikipedia
The facts speak for themselves, the vast majority of hate crimes are against jewish people, not muslims.
If you do not want to hear anti muslim speach there are many muslim majority countries that you are free to move to.
As islam is not a religion, it is a violent oppressive political system, it should not be afforded any religious protection.
Islam teaches that non muslims must convert, pay a tax to muslims or die. Islam has no place in a free democratic society, and no right to demand respect that it does not afford others.
The house democrates are idiots, who cares what they condem.
@Sia Actually I am quite content with living in America Thanks for the offer. Also let me tell you something you need to hear. The only news you hear about Muslims is about ISIS which is a radical Islam group. It is a Muslim extremist group. They take teachings of the Quran and teachings of Islam and tweek them in their favor to justify the actions they carry out. Saying that Muslims are not oppressed is also wrong because what you literally just said was oppressive in that I am being shamed for my religion and for what I believe in. When Islam was really at its peak in the post classical era, Muslim empires would conquest different areas BUT no one was forced to convert and if you were a “person of the book”, or someone of a faith mentioned in the Quran, you payed a tax in order to stay out of the military. So you may know your facts about violence based on FBI reports but maybe you should go read a book or two before talking about what Islam is or is not.
P.S. It is a religion. Shariah law is a political system and even that isn’t violent or oppressive. Being oppressive is something a person chooses to be. Shariah law works well on the Middle East, because the majority of people are Islam. I believe the stat you want to see is something around 90-95%. So yea it is a religion thank you very much.
P.S.S. Your hate crime statistics are a little out dated 2013 was 2 years ago. While Jews are still targeted after the terrorism from the Muslim extremist groups and the vandalism of the mosques and such Muslim hate won’t be far behind pretty soon.
P.S.S.S. If you are Jewish and you know that hate crimes against Jews are very high how can you say something so demeaning about Muslims. If you have been oppressed before then you should no how it feels to have no one accept you. Were you ever bullied on the playground? Did you ever feel left out? Well that’s how I feel except I feel left out of society. So think about other people’s feelings before you say anything and please do a bit more reading so you can actually know what you are talking about.
“If you do not want to hear anti muslim speach there are many muslim majority countries that you are free to move to.”
How come, are you the visa Nazi? You sure are stupid arrogant in your hate and mentally challenged. Where do you plan to send Americans, born and bred, who happen to be Muslim?
“As islam is not a religion, it is a violent oppressive political system, it should not be afforded any religious protection.”
Not really. You are being absurd. You are spouting poison, hate, nonsense for no good reason. Can you substantiate your allegations?
Please study Islam. Know some Muslims. Please know that Islam is a peaceful, kind, compassionate, noble way of harmonious living. And also know that Islam is self sufficient. It does not need protection. Some Muslims however may.
“Islam teaches that non muslims must convert, pay a tax to muslims or die.”
Rubbish. Islam teaches nothing of the sort. Conversion to Islam, by definition, is by an individual’s free will. In fact, Islam coercion is prohibited. Islam prohibits forced conversion…a Christian practice, Christianities forte. You are projecting.
Islam has no place in a free democratic society
Freedom, equity, human rights and equal justice for all is the central thesis of Islam. No wonder Thomas Jefferson adapted it, took it from the Qur’an, infused it into the US Constitution. Read, compare the two.
…and no right to demand respect that it does not afford others.
By giving respect to others Islam has earned their respect and hearts. No wonder it is spreading ever faster in the US after 9-11. People want to know Islam, are getting to it know it…becoming Muslims on their own cognizance. Their own free will.
Note the generosity of MuslimGirl that it has allowed you a platform to spout your venom and vitriol against it, its most cherished beloved belief. Also note how you have profaned and insulted their hospitality. Slashed at them, their sentiments, their Muslim heart. Yet your poison, rant and ramble has not been censored. How Muslim of them. How Islamic.
“The house democrates are idiots, who cares what they condem.”
You seem to care. You care a lot. You have expended considerable hot air to voice that people know that you care.
Take care. Have a good day,
Peace be on you and yours.
Whether it passes or not, this is pretty awesome and the fact that the discussion took place.