Entry #4. Media Stereotypes

Stereotyping has been around for a plethora of centuries and will be around in many more to come. If you are not too familiar with stereotyping, it is a widely held conception or idea of a particular group, type of person, or thing.

 You might be involved with it on a daily basis, either from hearing it or from personal interaction involving it. 

ISLAM

The religion Islam has had intense stereotyping against it after the 9/11 attack. After that tragedy, the world Islam itself became a horror movie. The media has associated terrorism with Muslims so much that now most people have a thought of the whole 1.57 BILLION; are terrorists. The definition of terrorism does not contain what religion it is done by because anyone from any religion can be a terrorist. It is an act, not a task. 

It really doesn't! It is the individual's intrinsic motives not the religion telling them to do so.

Killing innocent people is a sin in Islam; terrorism kills the innocent people. There is peace and there is the opposite in each and every religion. Why should the whole religion be labeled as a threat or fear because of a small group of heartless individuals' actions. These heartless individuals violate the name of Islam. 

Studying the religion on ones' self is the best thing to do these days because the media will not educate one on the true facts and principles that are contained. 

Stereotyping, either extreme or monor, affects those innocent people who are targeted. Why should anyone have to go through such stress about knowing your life is on the edge because fingers are pointed at you.

After 9/11, my mother got a glass beer bottle thrown at her cars' windshield while driving. The one thing/aim that made those individuals throw that bottle was because my mom wore a head scarf (hijab). My mom took off the scarf after a while because she felt like she was forced to. Everywhere she looked, it was staring and fear. We felt like so much pressure was on us because all Muslims were put to the blame for that tragedy. My family and I were very sadenned by 9/11 and we were so angry at the humanity that is being presented by these attackers. 

All stereotyping offends an individual in some way or the other! The Media doesn't help.