I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day who was as upset as any of us over the shootings committed by Maj. Nidal Hasan. My friend was very upset about the shooting, and like many he took out his frustration by cursing all Muslims. Which I was quick to correct.
I remember this conversation because it has just been released today that NBA great Karem Abdul Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia. The news is shocking and I wish him the best. But at the same time I want to use this as an opportunity to remind some of us that America has never had a problem with Muslims or Islam - just fanatics.
The history of Muslims in America, like elsewhere in the world is comprised of many versions of truth. Some have always had a fear of the religion. Some have never understood it. Some haven't a clue what it is about. And up until 9/11 few people cared.
But there have been Muslims around us, and praised by us, long before there was a Osama Bin Laden.
Perhaps the most famous is the greatest boxer to have lived, and arguably the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. He is also without question one of the best known celebrities of the world. His name is Muhammad Ali.
Notice that when I mention his name how many didn't realize he is a devout Muslim. That he has long ago converted and gave up his given name Cassius Clay. That over the years of cartoons, tv shows, commercials and movies about his life, there was no problem about his religion. Of course there were issues when he converted, and refused to go to Viet Nam. But I think the issue then was the war and not his religious reasons to object.
Do we think of Muhammad Ali when we think of Maj. Hasan?
There is Karem Abdul Jabbar. A force in the NBA, a record breaker and maker. A celebrity that has endured for decades. A man that any basketball fan can place anywhere. Hell even those that know almost nothing about basketball know him from his many commercials, and even a few movies.
Is he what people think of when they think of Osama Bin Laden? Or Muslims?
Stepping away from sports, how about Dave Chappelle. He has made millions laugh out loud. He had one of the most popular comedy shows on television, ever. He broke DVD sales records that Seinfeld wishes he could have had.
Even after his decision to give up the wealth that Comedy Central was offering for his integrity, he has remained a celebrity on the A-list. He continues to make people laugh. And he has been a Muslim while doing all of that.
Does knowing he is a Muslim make him less funny? Or un-American?
There are many more examples. Some famous, some live next door to you right now. But they are all Americans. They are all people we know, and work with, and get cancer or get old. They are regular people.
I feel no less compassion, nor more, for Karem Abdul Jabbar and his battle with cancer because of his religious faith. And anyone that does allow his religion to affect their views is a lowly person indeed.
Are there fanatics that hate America, or parts of it, and are Muslim? Indeed. Just as there are Christian fanatics that kill abortion doctors, or just insane people that kill others like at Columbine. But I don't see people angry at Christians or White teens because of the actions of a few psychos.
I look forward to hearing that Maj. Hasan will receive death by firing squad for what he has done, unless he is proven innocent which I highly doubt. But that in no way is a reflection on how we should feel about all Muslims.
Its something that some of us need to remember.
No comments:
Post a Comment