Good Americans

Yesterday, Deepa Kumar was on North Central's campus to speak about the ever-increasing “Islamaphobia” that’s been developing in America, and reflect on her book, duly titled Islamaphobia.  While I wasn’t able to attend (because I was in another class), Dr. Guzman mentioned an email chain letter that he recently received, “10 Reasons Muslims Can’t Be Good Americans” and his shock at the list.

The problem?

The “reasons” listed in the email chain were biased, ignorant, and misinterpreted. Dr. Guzman posts the email chain along with his thoughts on the email, which you can read here.    Dr. Guzman attempts to diffuse the situation about the email, refutes the reasons, offers small concessions (to uphold his validity as unbiased), and then connects to a current hot topic for Americans--I won't spoil it for you, but hint, hint, it deals with a current Presidential Candidate.

Was Dr. Guzman's post a good way to combat “Islamaphobia”?

It’s a two-fold question that we as the public need to constantly consider.  By responding is he able to resonate and deliver “common-sense” to the future audiences (and possibly past readers) of the email, which clearly was lost before?  Or, does it create more problems by elevating this email to a cultural cache?

I like to argue that it depends on the audience and type of public sphere you’re trying to reach.

Let's be "Good Americans" and discuss.