Unites States-Centric Views Comparison
Mark D. Pacheco
Axia College University of Phoenix

Unites States-Centric Views Comparison The table comparisons show distinctive characteristics synonymous with the categories of descriptors identified for both individuals listed as Christian Americans and or Muslim Arab Americans. It is uniquely and formally identical in some categories as well as substantially different in other categories, yet still; some characteristics are open for discussion as to their identification to both parties involved. Based on results of independent surveys taken which was not scientific, substantiated or verified by any governmental agency of the United States, or Christian or Muslim Arab American groups or societies. The results are taken from ordinary American citizens not associated with either group of individuals, nor affiliated in any religious capacity, nationality, race, color, or ethnic background as identified as Christian American and Muslim Arab American. In this survey, one could say this is wholly independent and un-biased in the results given. Popular to contrary belief, most Americans give their opinions on subjects based on a few characteristics enveloped primarily with their up-bringing, moral and ethical values instilled in early childhood, their personal belief in governmental policy and societal values. As young children, teenagers, and young adults of parents and communities across this nation, individuals may be easily swayed in their opinion(s) in how they perceive another member of society that is not of their color, nationality, race, or background. For the most part it goes without saying; many Anglo Americans are biased by certain groups, individuals, old out-dated family values, and their affiliations to secular groups of society that have misconceptions, misgivings, and pure hatred for the populous not born of American soil and those who have skin color other than white. Even in the government arena, there have been misconceptions about Muslim Arab Americans born in America but are mislabeled just because who they are. “Not long ago, the John McCain campaign dropped a prominent Arab-American businessman from its Michigan state finance committee because of allegations that the man was an "agent" of Hezbollah. The charges, made by a right-wing blogger, were unsubstantiated, but fears of being associated with Arab terror caused Republican knees to jerk, and cost Ali Jawad his position. All politics, even national politics, is local, and Jawad's abrupt dismissal may cost McCain many votes among Southeastern Michigan's large Arab-American community. [John McCain's Arab-American problem by Juan Cole/Salon.com]. It seems possible; in the perceived analogy, that John McCain may have problems with Muslim Arab Americans. “Currently, much of what Americans believe about people from the Middle East has been determined by US politicians, CNN, and Hollywood”. [Arab Perceptions of the United States/Wordpress.com]. I think that the most influential single moment in US history for Americans born in the United States was that dreadful day, September 11, 2001. Many Arab Americans almost instantaneously became an enemy of the state in the eyes and minds of many US citizens, not to mention, many governmental agencies. Because of the actions of a few secular and religious fanatics from the Middle East, their terrorist activities on US soil may have damaged perceptions of Arab Muslim Americans forever. Unfortunately, the actions of a few will cost many hundreds of thousands their dignity and right to a peaceful life without racism and misinterpretation of who they actually are. As in Orientalism perpetuated from the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, many Arab Muslim Americans here and abroad do not have a genuine hatred for America and Western culture. The media and government machine has been detrimental to Arab Muslims of America and world wide. For example, again by the government, right after the attacks of September 11, 2001, then President George W. Bush’s administration developed a theme in the “axis of evil” speech to the nation. “Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber — a democratically elected government…They hate our freedoms — our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life.” In this speech, Bush was specifically referring to Al Qaeda members; however, it quickly became apparent that in mainstream parlance “they” came to be understood as Arabs or Muslims in general”. [Arab Perceptions of the United States/Wordpress.com]. Because of the terrorists activities on US soil in September 2001, the US government has been on high alert, justifiably so, but within its’ actions have put a nation at unrest in their misconception and mislabeling of Arab Muslim Americans. “Recent national polls find that four in 10 Americans have an unfavorable view of Islam, five in 10 believe Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence, and six in 10 believe Islam is very different from their own religion. All this despite the fact that seven in 10 admit they know very little about Islam. And yet Americans rank Muslims second only to atheists as a group that doesn’t share their vision of American society”. Additionally, “these fears have had consequences. In 2001, the U.S. Department of Justice recorded a 1,600 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes from the prior year, and these numbers rose 10 percent between 2005 and 2006. [Muslims in America, by Jen'nan Ghazal Read/Contex.org]. The table results show many similarities’ on the characteristic descriptors words between the average American views. For example, there are huge comparison that are equal in there meanings for Muslim Americans such as Oppressive to Women, Modest Dress, Undereducated, Governed by the Qur’an’, Religious Values, Male Dominated, Sexist, Strict Moral Values, and Male Dominated Political Environment. I believe that these characteristics are originated by what the Anglo American is seeing or portrayed of Arab Muslims abroad by the media. Even though in my opinion, many of these characteristics are genuinely correct, many Middle Eastern governments do not wish to have their culture portrayed in the mainstream media world wide. I don’t believe that it isn’t new information for many women of Arab Muslim backgrounds they are generally treated as “property” of their male counterparts. The society is male dominated and in the political arena as well. The women are generally undereducated for a specific reason and the dress is very modest. It is against the law for women to show more than their faces in public. The Islamic religion is the single base driver in how Arab Muslims are to live their livelihoods. So there are some misconceptions here in the Unites States of Arab Muslim Americans, but much of what Americans see and here abroad is substantiated by media reports of these characteristics identified here-in. I believe that it is the perception of what Americans see in the media and what is portrayed by the government, not only here in the US, but abroad by many Arab Muslim governments, gives American society all the fuel for there beliefs from what they see and hear, even though it is commonly misguided and misconstrued.

References:
1. Salon.com

John McCain's Arab-American problem, by Juan Cole.

www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/05/28/mccain

2. WordPress.com

Arab Perceptions of the United States

http://arabperceptions.wordpress.com/

3. Contexts.org

Muslims in America, by Jen'nan Ghazal Read.

http://contexts.org/articles/fall-2008/muslims-in-america/