Extremists. Did a picture pop into your head of a bearded man, possibly Muslim? Was he evilly planning to knock down buildings? Or maybe slay someone in the name of his religion? This is what happens when media has driven it’s poisonous sword right through your head. Halimo’s post made me think, Muslim men (especially those who are bearded and wear the Islamic dress) are not only seen as oppressors, but majority of the time as extremists.
Media has it’s way of spreading stereotypes, on the news, magazines, shows and movies. Iron Man, released in 2008, was one example that played with our delicate minds. The “terrorists” that forced Tony Stark to build the suit were Muslim. Yes, they looked like Muslims, they dressed as Muslims, sadly, they even named one of them Abu Bakr. And as if they didn’t cross the limit enough, these terrorists even spoke Arabic throughout the movie.
Muslim men, in the media are portrayed as violent Jihadists, this just profiles all of them. Nobody looks at Muslim men in reality, men who care for their families, live happily with their loved ones and men who hold the hands of their parents at old age. It just isn’t as exciting as a bearded maniac, hijacking planes. Islam is a religion that brings together the hands of every individual. Most people think Muslims are terrorists, but did you know only 6% of the terrorist attacks on US soil has been committed by Islamic extremists, according to FBI reports?
So my questions to you are:
Why are men, who rightly symbol being fatherly, wise and servants of God being showcased as extremists?
Why do you think Muslim women are not labelled as extremists? Extremists can be anyone right?
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ReplyDeleteIt is really sad to see so much discrimination in such times. I agree with everything you are saying, except that i know there have been many cases where Muslim women have committed acts of terrorism by either blowing themselves up in suicide attacks, or hijacking, etc.
ReplyDeleteBut it does not mean that all muslims are like that. I feel that muslim women are labeled "oppressed" rather than "extremists" because of gender stereotyping. It seems appropriate to call muslim women oppressed, who as women in general are seen as a lower cast in comparison to men by majority.
I think men are shown more as extermists because this will go back to which gender is more stronger. And how the media portrays males to be the more dominant ones compared to the females. So in my opinion, that is why males are showcased as extermists. And moving onto your second question I think females aren't portrayed in that figure, because the media shows us Muslim women as oppressed and having ZERO power! And anyone can be an extremists, just look at Stewie Griffin; from The Family Guy :)
ReplyDeleteThe way we dress showcases who we are. As a Muslim when you dress in an certain Islamic fashion people look at you like you are a stranger. The exact is with women who are shown as being the weak one amongst male dominated family and the way they dress adds up to that. It makes it more realistic than ever before that a guy who have a beard is a terrorist and woman who is dressed "Inappropriately" is oppressed.
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ReplyDeleteI think that they are being portrayed as extremist because the media doesn’t really know what Islam is. If the media knew what Islam was about then they wouldn’t call Muslims terrorist or extremist. I think that most religions including Islam are against terrorism therefore I think it’s not right to call a Muslim a terrorist or extremist. If a Christian man did a car bombing at Times Square would the media say a Christian man bombed Times Square? I don’t think so; they would just say a man bombed Times Square. Also what does a person’s religion have to do with them committing a crime? I just think it’s wrong to include someone’s religion in any act they do because it is not necessary.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aksemah when she said that, Muslim women are labeled as “oppressed” rather than “extremist”. Once again the media portrays this image to society that Muslim women are oppressed. The media assumes that Muslim women are oppressed just because they’re covered up. Sometimes, people see covered Muslim women and think that they are oppressed when they most likely aren’t. They are not oppressed because they are not being valued for something materialistic, rather they are being judged for their intelligence, kindness, honesty and personality just like any other female should be.
First, I would like to comment on your blog. In western world, stereotypes like these are demonstrated, and it’s unfair to Muslims. Also, these stereotypes affect the image of Muslims everywhere. As Mohamed said on his post, if a Christian man did bomb Times Square, then the media would not say that Christian committed this crime. I believe that they would assume Muslims right away. This is unfair to Muslims in Western countries, and the 1 billion Muslims that exist in this world.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question, Men are said to be extremist because simply they are men. Men are said to be strong, and angry, and quick tempered, so based on their characteristics, it said that males commit these crimes, like robbery, shooting and ete.
Why woman are not said to be extremist, because of whom they are. Muslim women are labelled as “oppressed” rather than “extremist. Woman don’t carry guns and try to kill people, maybe a little, but not many Women. However, they are oppressed and the Media makes this out of proportion. These stereotypes about Muslim woman bring more stereotypes.
I agree, men are mostly shown as extreme adventurous individuals, however women are portrayed as objects. For example, whenever I watch a document about the Eastern side of the world. I usually get the vibe that women are not able to live their lives without a men supporting them. Which is wrong! This is unfair to women from the Eastern side.
ReplyDeleteMen are shown as extremist because they "apparently" have the power to rule society. I don't know who gave them the power to do so, but they believe they are stronger and they can handle anything. Women are not portrayed as extremist because "apparently", women are weaker and they can not face their own problems without a men's support or advice.
Yes, I agree extremist can be anyone. I believe extremist shouldn't be judged based on their gender. I believe extremist can be found anywhere around the world, regardless of their gender.
Men are mostly shown as extremist due to the fact that they are the "stronger gender". As for Muslim men being portrayed, its due to the whole 9/11 incident, causing people to find it easier to believe that a Muslim can be a terrorist versus any other religion. Personally I find that really stupid. I remember last summer I was gonna go to New York, and at the airport, i was "randomly checked extra". I didn't see them doing this to ANYONE else, just me. In fact, this summer when I visited India, same thing happened, and I'm not even Muslim. And even if I was, why should that matter? "Because Muslims blew up the world trade centers" ? Well if thats the only reason, should Poland "randomly search" Germans? I mean they did attack them and all that, not the mention the holocaust. Should Indians "randomly check" the British? I mean they did take over our country for 500 years.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue about stereotypes in Muslim men and women is a circle because there are 2two major views. One that all women are oppressed (since they cover themselves up and don’t show a lot of skin like the medias norm) so the men must be oppressing them and the men must be extremist that don’t know or care about society. On the other hand, because Muslim men are rude and extremists they oppress their women in order to show power and control over them. Whichever way you look at it it’s a never-ending cycle. People who are extremists have nothing to do with religion when they become extremists they have reached a point where their religion is what they make up in order to console themselves that they are right.
ReplyDeleteAnd some women are labeled as extremists but they are usually portrayed as suicide bombers since many think they can hide bombs under their clothes easier than men.
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ReplyDeleteFor your first question, I think the answer is obvious. The majority of terror suspects and extremists are men, not to say that there aren't any extremist women, but as people have said in previous comments like Raahul for example, it is due to the fact that men are considered the stronger gender, but also that many Muslim countries are conservative and so the notion of a woman leaving her house, since women are encouraged to stay home and look after the family(most of the time), and fighting for jihad is seen as obsurd. You said in your first question, men are rightly symbol as being fatherly, wise and servants of God. My question is, what do you think women are viewed as and are they considered in the same category as men or higher? lower?
ReplyDeleteFor your second question, You have to think about it logically, men are prone to violence, not that women aren't prone to violence as well, but it is seen as more of a mans "duty" and responsibility to take care of his family, while a womens role would be more home-based, looking after the family, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning etc. I don't think that women are labelled as extremists for the simple reason that they are women, that they somehow have nothing to do whatever their husbands or boyfriends are doing, that they are innocent in all of this, which is generally true.
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ReplyDeleteSince the Muslim women are already labelled as “oppressed” in the media, and since the gender stereotype that men are more aggressive, and violent is still present, it only makes sense that your typical Muslim man with a beard would be considered more of an extremist who abuses his wife or daughters. What must also be considered is that the media, once again, has its own beliefs and values and it only portrays that and nothing else. To the media, Islam is an exotic religion, but only because of their limited understanding of it, and also we get the sense that religion is not a dominant aspect in the western lifestyle and when it does come up in the news or radio, its not necessarily in a positive sense. How many times have you seen on the news where there was some sort of killing and religion was involved? I’m guessing a lot of times? I assure you religion and ‘good’ news don’t fit in the same equation. My point is that they’re being showcased as extremists because religion isn’t given much priority or importance by the media but for Muslim people religion is a way of life so you can see how media would assume that this belief is that of an extremist one.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Muslim women are more prevalently labelled as oppressed rather than extremists, they too are looked as extremists by the media. This can be seen when Muslim woman who wear the niqab (veiling of the face) are portrayed as extremists. The media depicts them as stern, emotion less people with no spirit or enthusiasm towards life. They are very much portrayed as apathetic and dangerous because they lurk and hide themselves away from society. This was the way that niqabi’s are depicted by media, and it has influenced our own society so much that a banning of the niqab has been considered!
I Agree with the above.
ReplyDeleteBut in my opinion society has so many problems, that instead of thinking of ways to solve them they simply point the finger at whoever they percieve as different It is all an excuse to blame others for the incompetence the society as a whole has contributed to....They should grow up and stop pointing fingers at these so called ''extremists''.
I think, in terms of your first question, that Muslim men are being labelled as extremists and terrorists because they are not understood. It is a known fact that people fear what the do not understand, and that it is easier to place the blame on the unknown.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your second question, I believe that Muslim women are not seen as extremists because of their dress and the portrayal of men in the media. Men are viewed as the dominant gender; they are more powerful and are higher class citizens compared to women. When people see Muslim women, they are automatically shocked because of their dress. The immediate reaction is that the women are being "forced" to wear it by their extremist husbands/fathers. Like Granit said,since men are seen as more violent it is thought that Muslim women have to liv with such oppressive men and that they couldn't possibly be violent (which I'm not saying they are).
I just like to add first, that i enjoyed reading your blog reminded me of Latin guys been descriminated.
ReplyDeleteHowever this negative view on Islam man is not only based on the media, but your own people as well. I read one of my all times fav' book called "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. A muslim born and raised "exposes" the Islamic religion, her culture and her people. She speaks loud and clear of her past, upbringing and all her death threats for making a documentary offensive for the Islam religion. I don't necessary agree with the way she went about it. She could be over exsagerating her memoir, but it was intersting to see a born and raised Somalian speak of the issues that you mentioned on your blog that the media portays. It was different seen it from her eyes then the eyes of the corrupted media.
I think the men are shown as extremists because most of the people suicides bombing themselves are Muslim men, and this is adding to the negative stereotype. The reason that Muslim woman are no labeled as extremists is because in Islam a woman should stay at home and take care of the house work, and the men should fight in wars. Also if a woman tries to participate in the wars or fights she probably would be stoned by the extremists men or banished.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone about why men are seen as extremists rather than women.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you put that Raahul, 9/11 had a great impact on the world, but it doesn’t mean that Muslims be continually checked until now.
Aimon I really like your last point “People who are extremists have nothing to do with religion when they become extremists they have reached a point where their religion is what they make up in order to console themselves that they are right.”
I wanted to stay this before; that Islam is a religion of moderation, there is no room for the extreme. Therefore “extremists” who perform crazy overboard acts saying that they’re doing so for their religion are wrong. Islam forbids such actions including the ever frequent suicide bombings.
Granit, thanks for pointing that out. When I wrote the question I was thinking specifically of men as extremists. For women they symbolize pretty much the same thing, instead of fatherly I would put “motherly” I guess. And yes they are considered in the same category as men in terms of their rank. Islam does not promote injustice of any kind between genders. Although roles of men and women are different, each gender is valued equally. Ever heard of “behind every successful man is a women.”?
In all I think the media should stop, as Dr.Phil said, stop pointing their fingers at Muslims and start learning about Islam, then they’ll know that extremists aren’t considered Muslims to begin with.