Fear and loathing in America

No, we are not facing a Muslim invasion.  We are not, as several pundits and even presidential candidates have claimed, seeing a tidal wave of terrorists flocking to our shores.  What we are seeing is an embodiment of the tired and huddled masses described at the base of the Statue of Liberty.  While recognizing that the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and aboard a Russian airliner are monstrous and tragic, an even greater tragedy would be to allow these cowardly attacks to compromise our principles as Americans and a free people.  

Let us not forget that the United States has a long history of taking in refugees.  From WWII, to Korea, to Vietnam, and even Iraq and Afghanistan, our leaders have recognized that it is inherently wrong to be militarily involved in a conflict and not take steps to handle the humanitarian crises that inevitably arise from the violence.

{mosads}As of Nov. 19, 31 governors and many more members of Congress have publicly stated that they are against accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S.  Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill that would all but stop refugees from entering the United States.  While this is a controversial topic in itself, the rhetoric surrounding it underscores a much more serious problem: the rise and resurgence of xenophobia and racism in America.  Caring for national security is one thing, but to outcast an entire religion of people is another.  Blaming refugees and Muslims for the violence surrounding Islamic extremism is both dangerous and patently false.  Islam is no more responsible for the actions of ISIS than Christianity is for the actions of the Ku Klux Klan.  

The Muslim refugees whose homes and lives were destroyed by ISIS are just as much victims as the people whose lives were shattered in Paris.  After following the plight of the men, women, and children of Syria, one would hope that our leaders would reinforce the distinction between refugees and terrorists.  Since that is unfortunately not the case, the least we can do is humanize the innocent people being falsely characterized as the enemy.  It is terrifying and unconstitutional that we have major political leaders proposing policies that institutionalize Islamaphobia.  This only serves to perpetuate the fear mongering that ISIS strives to create.

While understanding that Americans are justifiably concerned for their safety, participating in smear campaigns against Muslims only serves to add hatred to an already hostile environment.  Islam is not the problem; Islamic extremism is.  Holding extreme views against refugees and Muslims will only exacerbate the conflict at home.

Griggs is a recent graduate from Louisiana State University majoring in International Trade and Finance, now working in Washington, DC haedengriggs@gmail.com.  Jusuf is a recent graduate from Hamilton College majoring in Public Policy and Communications, now working in Washington, DC. Chriswjusuf@gmail.com