Letter: C.R. film promotes hostility, prejudice
After seeing the film Obsession: Radical Islam's War on Terror, I wonder what the College Republicans were aiming for by showing it on campus. I believe this film does nothing but promote hostility and fuel prejudice.
Our media is already saturated with negative images and stereotypes, and our school systems rarely teach kids about Islam's history and core values. Since the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks, the already difficult task of creating a harmonious multicultural and multi-religious society in America has become even more difficult.
Instead of accepting images of Islam that foster discrimination and create fear, the time has come to engage us in a participatory approach to understanding the religion and its followers. Fortunately for us this is actually not that difficult. We don't need to travel to India or Pakistan to meet devout Muslims - there are large populations of Muslims in every major American city. In fact there are more than 6 million Muslims living in America. This means that the Muslim community is incredibly accessible and as our country becomes more diverse bridging religious divides is increasingly necessary.
The film's quick disclaimer that "Most Muslims do not support terror" is quickly forgotten and replaced by streams of emotionally manipulating images - such as huge angry mobs shouting "Death to America!" and young children reciting violent poetry. I do believe this film is effective in its purpose: to generate fear in America and ultimately retain the dwindling support for the war in Iraq. Terrorism, an act intended to cause harm to civilians in order to intimidate a population or government, is what our country is combating - combating with a war which has already left more than 50,000 civilians dead!
This film left me incredibly disturbed. Aren't we dehumanizing Muslims, and in some ways using the same techniques extremists use against America? I think it is dangerous to show such a film without first assuring an understanding of Islam in a larger context and of the pluralism within the religion itself. At the heart of Islam is the idea of human equality and moral righteousness, and the Koran holds very strict regulations on the use of force. Islam is theologically and historically closer to Christianity and Judaism than any other Eastern tradition - yet it remains mysterious or even strange to many Americans. As America becomes increasingly religiously diverse, and the role of Muslims as a global population becomes more influential it is imperative we engage in interfaith dialogue and let go of the media-generated perceptions we all hold.
When asked the question what can we as college students do to combat radical Islam - there is no simple response - however, one thing we can do is promote religious diversity and understanding among our campus, our community, and our country. Wouldn't that truly affect the extremists - for them to see Muslims, Christians and Jews living together in peace in the western world?
You can't fight ideas with bullets and bombs - but we can create peace among our own diverse community and look past the stereotypes that films like Obsession perpetuate.
