Checkpoint: Characteristics of Orientalism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Characteristics of Orientalism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Over the years, and especially since the tragedy of September 11, scrutiny has increased for many Arab and Muslim Americans. Even though one is an ethnic group, the other is a religion. However, many Americans are unaware the distinction between the two groups. Americans label these vastly different groups into one subordinate group.

Members of the Muslim faith, asked to come to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service, authorities were hoping to locate terrorists, but this only fueled fears within the Muslim and Arab American communities (Schaefer, Richard T., 2006.

Visitors from Arab Nations and many Arab and Muslim Americans, traveling to the United States were racially profiled, but on a much larger scale. All the resources of the United States government continue to monitor these two groups. Many presidents have had a mistrustful relationship with the Arab and Muslim communities here and around the world. Nevertheless, the continued surveillance only adds to the constant racial tension in this country.

Blocking construction of religious buildings, stereotyping and racial profiling are all forms of Orientalism. A simplistic view and history of the Orient; however, it can apply to Arab and Muslim Orientalism sustains the negative feelings and thoughts about Arab and Muslim in this country, even though the perception is wrong of these two subordinate groups (Schaefer, Richard T., 2006).

Knowledge is power; get into schools, community centers. The community leaders of all groups need to come together, and start getting communities involved with one another. Have more cultural fairs, especially in school. Churches come together and worship together, many would be surprised, and they are worshiping the same “God”, just in a different way. In this way, everyone comes away with a better understanding of the other.

Reference Page

Schaefer, Richard T. (2006).Racial and...