Violence is lurking and minorities pay the price.
We’ve seen oppression with the African American community, we’ve seen it with Hispanics, and on Monday in the Ohio State University attack, we’ve seen it happen with American Muslims. Members of marginalized groups should simply not be forced to pay the severe consequences of psychopathic individuals because they do not represent their religion as a whole.
The Muslim community in the US dates back to an extremely rich, vibrant culture, but this goes unrecognized because of the prejudices towards the Muslim community of being ‘dangerous’ and ‘terrorists.’
However, unfounded fear of Muslims actually arises from having little interaction and understating of the Muslim community. After all, we all tend to be afraid of what we don’t know. Let’s begin by resolving some common concerns.
Will Trump’s call for a temporary ban of Muslims solve the problem?
On November 30, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that “ISIS is taking credit for the terrible stabbing at Ohio State University by a Somali refugee who should not have been in our country.”
Moreover, he calls for a temporary ban of Muslims into the country, which I believe will not help the problem whatsoever. Currently, a rigorous screening process exists for refugees entering the country, it is a process that takes anywhere from 18-24 months.
However, according to The New York Times, the Ohio State University attacker had no history of violence or radicalization in the past, so how can this screening process ensure that attacks like the one in Ohio State University will be prevented? Banning the Muslim community will do more harm than good in the sense that the country is not only failing to provide a better life for innocent Muslims who just want to escape the frightening brutalities in their home country, but foregoing the advantages that these educated, hard-working people can bring into the country.
While Americans certainly have the right to be afraid after the Ohio State attack, it is irrational to condemn an entire group of people for what a small percentage has done.
It is nearly impossible to guarantee that every refugee coming into America will not commit to acts of terrorism or violence. However, this does not mean that no newcomer should be allowed into the country. During the fiscal year, 85,000 refugees were accepted in the United States, with 46% of them being Muslims. These refugees came to the United States to have a better life for themselves and their families, not to commit acts of terrorism. In the case of the Ohio State Attack, anybody could have committed such a violent act, no matter what their religious affiliation is.
Yes, the Ohio State Attack was a tragic episode of savagery that involved the hospitalization of nearly a dozen innocent people, the attacker simply cannot be excused. However, it is wrong to conclude that the Muslim community as a whole is a hotbed of violence because the actions of a few do not represent the entire population.
Read more: Message To The Ohio State Attacker: Enough! I Am Not Here To Apologize On Your Behalf