tell me if this sounds familiar catholics have no place in America they
catholics have no place in America they
catholics have no place in America they obey a foreign set of rules they’re
obey a foreign set of rules they’re
obey a foreign set of rules they’re loyal to a foreign leader the Pope
loyal to a foreign leader the Pope
loyal to a foreign leader the Pope they’ve got their own Bible many of them
they’ve got their own Bible many of them
they’ve got their own Bible many of them are immigrants diseased poor can’t be
are immigrants diseased poor can’t be
are immigrants diseased poor can’t be trusted
trusted
trusted won’t assimilate into our culture
won’t assimilate into our culture
won’t assimilate into our culture they’re not welcome here if you’re my
they’re not welcome here if you’re my
they’re not welcome here if you’re my age 30 years or so or younger
age 30 years or so or younger
age 30 years or so or younger that sort of hateful rhetoric should
that sort of hateful rhetoric should
that sort of hateful rhetoric should sound completely unfamiliar to you it’s
sound completely unfamiliar to you it’s
sound completely unfamiliar to you it’s not something in hearing your daily life
not something in hearing your daily life
not something in hearing your daily life may be something you’ve never heard at
may be something you’ve never heard at
may be something you’ve never heard at all but if you’re over twice my age say
all but if you’re over twice my age say
all but if you’re over twice my age say 60 70 or older that sort of rhetoric
60 70 or older that sort of rhetoric
60 70 or older that sort of rhetoric should sound a little more familiar to
should sound a little more familiar to
should sound a little more familiar to you because for decades in this country
you because for decades in this country
you because for decades in this country Catholics reviewed with everything from
Catholics reviewed with everything from
Catholics reviewed with everything from outright suspicion to violent hostility
outright suspicion to violent hostility
outright suspicion to violent hostility they were considered disloyal they were
they were considered disloyal they were
they were considered disloyal they were considered impoverished they were
considered impoverished they were
considered impoverished they were considered unwelcome and Catholics are
considered unwelcome and Catholics are
considered unwelcome and Catholics are not the only religious community to go
not the only religious community to go
not the only religious community to go through this in America Jewish Americans
through this in America Jewish Americans
through this in America Jewish Americans went through it
went through it
went through it Mormons went through it Jehovah’s
Mormons went through it Jehovah’s
Mormons went through it Jehovah’s Witnesses went through it indeed it
Witnesses went through it indeed it
Witnesses went through it indeed it seems almost every religious minority in
seems almost every religious minority in
seems almost every religious minority in our country goes through a sort of
our country goes through a sort of
our country goes through a sort of hazing process before they become an
hazing process before they become an
hazing process before they become an accepted member of the American social
accepted member of the American social
accepted member of the American social fabric as you may have heard if you
fabric as you may have heard if you
fabric as you may have heard if you watched the news lately it is my
watched the news lately it is my
watched the news lately it is my communities turn my name is Edward
communities turn my name is Edward
communities turn my name is Edward Achmed Mitchell I am a Muslim I’m an
Achmed Mitchell I am a Muslim I’m an
Achmed Mitchell I am a Muslim I’m an attorney I’m an African American which
attorney I’m an African American which
attorney I’m an African American which makes me a member of three of the
makes me a member of three of the
makes me a member of three of the perhaps most unpopular groups in America
perhaps most unpopular groups in America
perhaps most unpopular groups in America but I’m proud to be a Muslim I’m proud
but I’m proud to be a Muslim I’m proud
but I’m proud to be a Muslim I’m proud to be a lawyer and I’m proud to be an
to be a lawyer and I’m proud to be an
to be a lawyer and I’m proud to be an African American I serve as the
African American I serve as the
African American I serve as the executive director of Cary Georgia which
executive director of Cary Georgia which
executive director of Cary Georgia which is the Georgia chapter of the Council on
is the Georgia chapter of the Council on
is the Georgia chapter of the Council on american-islamic relations as you may
american-islamic relations as you may
american-islamic relations as you may know care is our nation’s largest Muslim
know care is our nation’s largest Muslim
know care is our nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization what the
civil rights organization what the
civil rights organization what the n-double-a-cp does for African Americans
n-double-a-cp does for African Americans
n-double-a-cp does for African Americans what the anti-defamation league does for
what the anti-defamation league does for
what the anti-defamation league does for Jewish Americans carried us for American
Jewish Americans carried us for American
Jewish Americans carried us for American Muslims our main focus is fighting
Muslims our main focus is fighting
Muslims our main focus is fighting anti-muslim discrimination our goal is
anti-muslim discrimination our goal is
anti-muslim discrimination our goal is to win the struggle for acceptance
to win the struggle for acceptance
to win the struggle for acceptance just like our Catholic neighbors and our
just like our Catholic neighbors and our
just like our Catholic neighbors and our Jewish neighbors did before us even
Jewish neighbors did before us even
Jewish neighbors did before us even though the struggle we face today as
though the struggle we face today as
though the struggle we face today as Muslims is similar to the struggle that
Muslims is similar to the struggle that
Muslims is similar to the struggle that our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors
our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors
our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors faced before us it’s different in a few
faced before us it’s different in a few
faced before us it’s different in a few key ways one is that Muslims have been
key ways one is that Muslims have been
key ways one is that Muslims have been here since before America was a country
here since before America was a country
here since before America was a country the African slaves brought to America
the African slaves brought to America
the African slaves brought to America were Muslims so the religions not really
were Muslims so the religions not really
were Muslims so the religions not really new to the country the other reason our
new to the country the other reason our
new to the country the other reason our struggle is unique is that we’re not
struggle is unique is that we’re not
struggle is unique is that we’re not only having to deal with bigotry here at
only having to deal with bigotry here at
only having to deal with bigotry here at home but extremism from overseas both of
home but extremism from overseas both of
home but extremism from overseas both of which contribute to something we call
which contribute to something we call
which contribute to something we call Islamophobia that is a prejudice or
Islamophobia that is a prejudice or
Islamophobia that is a prejudice or hatred of Muslims American Muslims and
hatred of Muslims American Muslims and
hatred of Muslims American Muslims and normal Muslims around the world are
normal Muslims around the world are
normal Muslims around the world are essentially being squeezed between two
essentially being squeezed between two
essentially being squeezed between two opposing forces
opposing forces
opposing forces we’ve got Muslim extremists on our right
we’ve got Muslim extremists on our right
we’ve got Muslim extremists on our right and anti-muslim bigots on our left
and anti-muslim bigots on our left
and anti-muslim bigots on our left Muslim extremists largely overseas
Muslim extremists largely overseas
Muslim extremists largely overseas engage in horrific acts of violence they
engage in horrific acts of violence they
engage in horrific acts of violence they use religion to explain it political
use religion to explain it political
use religion to explain it political grievances to justify it they call it
grievances to justify it they call it
grievances to justify it they call it all Islam and in doing so they not only
all Islam and in doing so they not only
all Islam and in doing so they not only inflict violence on their victims but
inflict violence on their victims but
inflict violence on their victims but upon the very reputation of my faith
upon the very reputation of my faith
upon the very reputation of my faith contributing to Islamophobia on the
contributing to Islamophobia on the
contributing to Islamophobia on the other side of us our anti-muslim bigots
other side of us our anti-muslim bigots
other side of us our anti-muslim bigots here at home who seek to do the exact
here at home who seek to do the exact
here at home who seek to do the exact same thing but with their words they
same thing but with their words they
same thing but with their words they researches some online for 10-minutes
researches some online for 10-minutes
researches some online for 10-minutes declared themselves experts next thing
declared themselves experts next thing
declared themselves experts next thing you know they’re on a certain cable news
you know they’re on a certain cable news
you know they’re on a certain cable news channel screaming got the dangers of
channel screaming got the dangers of
channel screaming got the dangers of Sharia law jihad and blah blah blah
Sharia law jihad and blah blah blah
Sharia law jihad and blah blah blah American Muslims and normal Muslims
American Muslims and normal Muslims
American Muslims and normal Muslims around the world are essentially
around the world are essentially
around the world are essentially fighting and defending ourselves and
fighting and defending ourselves and
fighting and defending ourselves and what’s a two-front information war it’s
what’s a two-front information war it’s
what’s a two-front information war it’s not a struggle for money it’s not a
not a struggle for money it’s not a
not a struggle for money it’s not a struggle for territory it is a struggle
struggle for territory it is a struggle
struggle for territory it is a struggle for hearts and minds
for hearts and minds
for hearts and minds Muslim extremists are struggling for the
Muslim extremists are struggling for the
Muslim extremists are struggling for the hearts and minds of young Muslims around
hearts and minds of young Muslims around
hearts and minds of young Muslims around the world who are trying to decide how
the world who are trying to decide how
the world who are trying to decide how if it all they’ll confront the problems
if it all they’ll confront the problems
if it all they’ll confront the problems facing our community and anti-muslim
facing our community and anti-muslim
facing our community and anti-muslim bigots are struggling for the hearts and
bigots are struggling for the hearts and
bigots are struggling for the hearts and minds of our neighbors here at home
minds of our neighbors here at home
minds of our neighbors here at home people of other faiths who are still
people of other faiths who are still
people of other faiths who are still trying to decide what they think of
trying to decide what they think of
trying to decide what they think of Muslims will they accept us befriend us
Muslims will they accept us befriend us
Muslims will they accept us befriend us tolerate us reject us internists this is
tolerate us reject us internists this is
tolerate us reject us internists this is a struggle for their hearts and minds as
a struggle for their hearts and minds as
a struggle for their hearts and minds as well known over the past 20 plus years
well known over the past 20 plus years
well known over the past 20 plus years care has been at the forefront of trying
care has been at the forefront of trying
care has been at the forefront of trying to win this struggle now if you turn on
to win this struggle now if you turn on
to win this struggle now if you turn on the news and you see that anti-muslim
the news and you see that anti-muslim
the news and you see that anti-muslim bigots have offices in the White House
bigots have offices in the White House
bigots have offices in the White House and that Muslim extremists control
and that Muslim extremists control
and that Muslim extremists control territory in the Middle East you might
territory in the Middle East you might
territory in the Middle East you might go out care you guys suck at your job
go out care you guys suck at your job
go out care you guys suck at your job these are not going well and to some
these are not going well and to some
these are not going well and to some extent that is true things might not
extent that is true things might not
extent that is true things might not seem like they’re going well indeed it
seem like they’re going well indeed it
seem like they’re going well indeed it may seem like Muslims might be the first
may seem like Muslims might be the first
may seem like Muslims might be the first religious community in America to lose
religious community in America to lose
religious community in America to lose that struggle for acceptance that
that struggle for acceptance that
that struggle for acceptance that struggle that our Jewish neighbors won
struggle that our Jewish neighbors won
struggle that our Jewish neighbors won that our catholic neighbors won
that our catholic neighbors won
that our catholic neighbors won maybe we’ll lose might look like that
maybe we’ll lose might look like that
maybe we’ll lose might look like that this is a moment of peril but I also
this is a moment of peril but I also
this is a moment of peril but I also believe this is a moment of great great
believe this is a moment of great great
believe this is a moment of great great great opportunity because what has
great opportunity because what has
great opportunity because what has happened since the rise of Isis and the
happened since the rise of Isis and the
happened since the rise of Isis and the election of President Trump is that
election of President Trump is that
election of President Trump is that anti-muslim bigots mainstream Muslims
anti-muslim bigots mainstream Muslims
anti-muslim bigots mainstream Muslims and Muslim extremists have all been
and Muslim extremists have all been
and Muslim extremists have all been forced into the arena together in legal
forced into the arena together in legal
forced into the arena together in legal parlance the issue has been joined that
parlance the issue has been joined that
parlance the issue has been joined that means that the trial is started right
means that the trial is started right
means that the trial is started right when you get forced into an arena
when you get forced into an arena
when you get forced into an arena someone’s coming out of winter someone’s
someone’s coming out of winter someone’s
someone’s coming out of winter someone’s coming out of loser either they’re going
coming out of loser either they’re going
coming out of loser either they’re going down or we are and so now anti-muslim
down or we are and so now anti-muslim
down or we are and so now anti-muslim bigots had their chance do all the
bigots had their chance do all the
bigots had their chance do all the horrible things they want to do Muslim
horrible things they want to do Muslim
horrible things they want to do Muslim extremists had their chance do all the
extremists had their chance do all the
extremists had their chance do all the horrible things they want to do and
horrible things they want to do and
horrible things they want to do and mainstream Muslims have now been forced
mainstream Muslims have now been forced
mainstream Muslims have now been forced to meet this challenge and God willing I
to meet this challenge and God willing I
to meet this challenge and God willing I think we’re going to meet the challenge
think we’re going to meet the challenge
think we’re going to meet the challenge and there are three particular reasons
and there are three particular reasons
and there are three particular reasons that I’m optimistic there are three
that I’m optimistic there are three
that I’m optimistic there are three reasons why I’m not curled up in the
reasons why I’m not curled up in the
reasons why I’m not curled up in the fetal position crying right now three
fetal position crying right now three
fetal position crying right now three reasons so even though we’ve seen
reasons so even though we’ve seen
reasons so even though we’ve seen terrorism here in America the Orlando
terrorism here in America the Orlando
terrorism here in America the Orlando shooting being the most horrific thing
shooting being the most horrific thing
shooting being the most horrific thing that happened recently even though we’ve
that happened recently even though we’ve
that happened recently even though we’ve seen hate crimes even here in Georgia as
seen hate crimes even here in Georgia as
seen hate crimes even here in Georgia as you may know last year a County in
you may know last year a County in
you may know last year a County in Georgia attempted to block the
Georgia attempted to block the
Georgia attempted to block the construction of a mosque and a cemetery
construction of a mosque and a cemetery
construction of a mosque and a cemetery which brought out most sorts of
which brought out most sorts of
which brought out most sorts of characters including an anti-muslim NiO
characters including an anti-muslim NiO
characters including an anti-muslim NiO confederate militia even though we’ve
confederate militia even though we’ve
confederate militia even though we’ve seen a spike in hate crimes including
seen a spike in hate crimes including
seen a spike in hate crimes including arson targeting at least four mosques
arson targeting at least four mosques
arson targeting at least four mosques over the past year and other incidents
over the past year and other incidents
over the past year and other incidents including attacks on Muslim women and
including attacks on Muslim women and
including attacks on Muslim women and other people are visibly Muslim
other people are visibly Muslim
other people are visibly Muslim sixty-seven percent increase in hate
sixty-seven percent increase in hate
sixty-seven percent increase in hate crimes in 2015 alone even though we’ve
crimes in 2015 alone even though we’ve
crimes in 2015 alone even though we’ve seen all of that I’m still optimistic
seen all of that I’m still optimistic
seen all of that I’m still optimistic I’m still hopeful despite all of this
I’m still hopeful despite all of this
I’m still hopeful despite all of this bad news
bad news
bad news and the reason optimistic are these
and the reason optimistic are these
and the reason optimistic are these three reasons first Islamic obeah is
three reasons first Islamic obeah is
three reasons first Islamic obeah is largely an artificial phenomenon you
largely an artificial phenomenon you
largely an artificial phenomenon you might think that you know we have a
might think that you know we have a
might think that you know we have a terrorist attack and then people develop
terrorist attack and then people develop
terrorist attack and then people develop a negative image of Muslims so that’s
a negative image of Muslims so that’s
a negative image of Muslims so that’s all there is but not really Islamophobia
all there is but not really Islamophobia
all there is but not really Islamophobia is largely an artificial phenomenon what
is largely an artificial phenomenon what
is largely an artificial phenomenon what do I mean by that
do I mean by that
do I mean by that so right after 9/11 happened you might
so right after 9/11 happened you might
so right after 9/11 happened you might think that was the worst time for
think that was the worst time for
think that was the worst time for Muslims in America that is the time when
Muslims in America that is the time when
Muslims in America that is the time when people had the most negative opinion of
people had the most negative opinion of
people had the most negative opinion of Muslims not true in fact after 9/11 47%
Muslims not true in fact after 9/11 47%
Muslims not true in fact after 9/11 47% of Americans had a generally favorable
of Americans had a generally favorable
of Americans had a generally favorable opinion of Islam only 39% had a negative
opinion of Islam only 39% had a negative
opinion of Islam only 39% had a negative opinion this is right after 9/11 jump
opinion this is right after 9/11 jump
opinion this is right after 9/11 jump forward 10 years and you’ll see that
forward 10 years and you’ll see that
forward 10 years and you’ll see that those numbers are now upside down in
those numbers are now upside down in
those numbers are now upside down in April of 2011 sixty-one percent had a
April of 2011 sixty-one percent had a
April of 2011 sixty-one percent had a negative opinion of Islam only 33
negative opinion of Islam only 33
negative opinion of Islam only 33 percent of the positive jump forward a
percent of the positive jump forward a
percent of the positive jump forward a few more years we’re still holding at
few more years we’re still holding at
few more years we’re still holding at negative
negative
negative sixty-one percent positive creep a bit
sixty-one percent positive creep a bit
sixty-one percent positive creep a bit to 37% why is why is why do the numbers
to 37% why is why is why do the numbers
to 37% why is why is why do the numbers go this way even though we did not have
go this way even though we did not have
go this way even though we did not have another 911 style attack after the
another 911 style attack after the
another 911 style attack after the incident in 2001 so there are several
incident in 2001 so there are several
incident in 2001 so there are several artificial incidents that have
artificial incidents that have
artificial incidents that have contributed to a rise in Islamic obeah
contributed to a rise in Islamic obeah
contributed to a rise in Islamic obeah over the past seven years first in 2008
over the past seven years first in 2008
over the past seven years first in 2008 a man named George W Bush left office
a man named George W Bush left office
a man named George W Bush left office now if you ask American Muslims and
now if you ask American Muslims and
now if you ask American Muslims and Muslims around the world what do you
Muslims around the world what do you
Muslims around the world what do you think of President Bush you’re not gonna
think of President Bush you’re not gonna
think of President Bush you’re not gonna hear many positive things they did not
hear many positive things they did not
hear many positive things they did not and we do not did not like many of his
and we do not did not like many of his
and we do not did not like many of his policies however one thing he did was
policies however one thing he did was
policies however one thing he did was speak positively about Muslims he would
speak positively about Muslims he would
speak positively about Muslims he would always say the war against terrorism is
always say the war against terrorism is
always say the war against terrorism is not a war against Islam he did not let
not a war against Islam he did not let
not a war against Islam he did not let some of the anti-muslim views that may
some of the anti-muslim views that may
some of the anti-muslim views that may have been held by some members of his
have been held by some members of his
have been held by some members of his party come to the forefront but once he
party come to the forefront but once he
party come to the forefront but once he left office and the Republican Party was
left office and the Republican Party was
left office and the Republican Party was left leaderless then a lot of people in
left leaderless then a lot of people in
left leaderless then a lot of people in the fringes were able to say whatever
the fringes were able to say whatever
the fringes were able to say whatever they had been thinking about Hispanic
they had been thinking about Hispanic
they had been thinking about Hispanic immigrants and Muslims all that time
immigrants and Muslims all that time
immigrants and Muslims all that time that was the first big change second big
that was the first big change second big
that was the first big change second big change is that President Obama succeeded
change is that President Obama succeeded
change is that President Obama succeeded President Bush President Bush and
President Bush President Bush and
President Bush President Bush and because President Obama was friendly to
because President Obama was friendly to
because President Obama was friendly to Muslims and because certain people did
Muslims and because certain people did
Muslims and because certain people did not like Barack Hussein Obama it seemed
not like Barack Hussein Obama it seemed
not like Barack Hussein Obama it seemed that whatever President Obama was
that whatever President Obama was
that whatever President Obama was friendly to became hated by a certain
friendly to became hated by a certain
friendly to became hated by a certain segment of a population especially
segment of a population especially
segment of a population especially because of the conspiracy theory that
because of the conspiracy theory that
because of the conspiracy theory that the president wasn’t self a closeted
the president wasn’t self a closeted
the president wasn’t self a closeted Muslim so we also saw a spike in
Muslim so we also saw a spike in
Muslim so we also saw a spike in anti-muslim use time with the
anti-muslim use time with the
anti-muslim use time with the president’s election and then in 2010
president’s election and then in 2010
president’s election and then in 2010 you had the park51 controversy the
you had the park51 controversy the
you had the park51 controversy the so-called Ground Zero mosque controversy
so-called Ground Zero mosque controversy
so-called Ground Zero mosque controversy this was really a the coming-out party
this was really a the coming-out party
this was really a the coming-out party for anti-muslim hate groups in America
for anti-muslim hate groups in America
for anti-muslim hate groups in America they used the controversy over this
they used the controversy over this
they used the controversy over this mosque which is going to be built in
mosque which is going to be built in
mosque which is going to be built in Manhattan close to the site of the 9/11
Manhattan close to the site of the 9/11
Manhattan close to the site of the 9/11 attack they used that as a rallying cry
attack they used that as a rallying cry
attack they used that as a rallying cry to gain new members new donors to end up
to gain new members new donors to end up
to gain new members new donors to end up on the national media spreading their
on the national media spreading their
on the national media spreading their hateful views and that also led to an
hateful views and that also led to an
hateful views and that also led to an increase in anti-muslim bigotry and then
increase in anti-muslim bigotry and then
increase in anti-muslim bigotry and then the last thing of course in 2010 the Tea
the last thing of course in 2010 the Tea
the last thing of course in 2010 the Tea Party won the congressional elections
Party won the congressional elections
Party won the congressional elections and not all but some Tea Party members
and not all but some Tea Party members
and not all but some Tea Party members did hold some negative views about
did hold some negative views about
did hold some negative views about Muslims and Islam now this chart ends at
Muslims and Islam now this chart ends at
Muslims and Islam now this chart ends at 2014 but I don’t need to tell you what
2014 but I don’t need to tell you what
2014 but I don’t need to tell you what happened in 2015 and 2016 one the
happened in 2015 and 2016 one the
happened in 2015 and 2016 one the terrorist group Isis rose in the Middle
terrorist group Isis rose in the Middle
terrorist group Isis rose in the Middle East to a certain presidential candidate
East to a certain presidential candidate
East to a certain presidential candidate who will go unnamed made a lot of
who will go unnamed made a lot of
who will go unnamed made a lot of progress in a certain primary off the
progress in a certain primary off the
progress in a certain primary off the backs
backs
backs Muslims of stoking public hysteria about
Muslims of stoking public hysteria about
Muslims of stoking public hysteria about Muslims and so that is why we’ve seen so
Muslims and so that is why we’ve seen so
Muslims and so that is why we’ve seen so much negativity but many of these things
much negativity but many of these things
much negativity but many of these things are artificial events they’re not
are artificial events they’re not
are artificial events they’re not natural events and you can deal with an
natural events and you can deal with an
natural events and you can deal with an artificial event you can combat an
artificial event you can combat an
artificial event you can combat an artificial event and that brings me my
artificial event and that brings me my
artificial event and that brings me my second point the generation gap if you
second point the generation gap if you
second point the generation gap if you look at what young people think of
look at what young people think of
look at what young people think of Muslims and Islam you’ll find they
Muslims and Islam you’ll find they
Muslims and Islam you’ll find they reacted to those events in a very
reacted to those events in a very
reacted to those events in a very different way than the older generation
different way than the older generation
different way than the older generation indeed the younger you are the more
indeed the younger you are the more
indeed the younger you are the more likely you are to have a positive image
likely you are to have a positive image
likely you are to have a positive image of Muslims and there’s a reason for that
of Muslims and there’s a reason for that
of Muslims and there’s a reason for that so if you look at the general ratings of
so if you look at the general ratings of
so if you look at the general ratings of what do you think about Muslims in
what do you think about Muslims in
what do you think about Muslims in America a large chunk will say negative
America a large chunk will say negative
America a large chunk will say negative opinion smaller chunk positive smaller
opinion smaller chunk positive smaller
opinion smaller chunk positive smaller chunk I don’t know but if you go into
chunk I don’t know but if you go into
chunk I don’t know but if you go into the data a little more deeply you’ll see
the data a little more deeply you’ll see
the data a little more deeply you’ll see that if you know a Muslim what do you
that if you know a Muslim what do you
that if you know a Muslim what do you think you’re much more likely to have a
think you’re much more likely to have a
think you’re much more likely to have a positive image of Islam right and so
positive image of Islam right and so
positive image of Islam right and so what we see among young people is this
what we see among young people is this
what we see among young people is this they are most likely to have a friend
they are most likely to have a friend
they are most likely to have a friend who is a Muslim 37% the older you get
who is a Muslim 37% the older you get
who is a Muslim 37% the older you get the less likely you are to have a friend
the less likely you are to have a friend
the less likely you are to have a friend who is a most positive correlation the
who is a most positive correlation the
who is a most positive correlation the younger you are the more likely you are
younger you are the more likely you are
younger you are the more likely you are to have a positive image of Muslims the
to have a positive image of Muslims the
to have a positive image of Muslims the older you are the more likely you are to
older you are the more likely you are to
older you are the more likely you are to have a negative opinion it goes in a
have a negative opinion it goes in a
have a negative opinion it goes in a straight line older you get the lesson
straight line older you get the lesson
straight line older you get the lesson Wilson’s you know the more likely you
Wilson’s you know the more likely you
Wilson’s you know the more likely you are to have a negative opinion of
are to have a negative opinion of
are to have a negative opinion of Muslims this is why I’m also optimistic
Muslims this is why I’m also optimistic
Muslims this is why I’m also optimistic because eventually the young generation
because eventually the young generation
because eventually the young generation now will become the dominant generation
now will become the dominant generation
now will become the dominant generation their children and they will have met
their children and they will have met
their children and they will have met many more Muslims in their daily life
many more Muslims in their daily life
many more Muslims in their daily life and be more open and tolerant and not
and be more open and tolerant and not
and be more open and tolerant and not react with hysteria to some of the
react with hysteria to some of the
react with hysteria to some of the artificial events I mission earlier
artificial events I mission earlier
artificial events I mission earlier right having said that we don’t want to
right having said that we don’t want to
right having said that we don’t want to wait for old people to die off and young
wait for old people to die off and young
wait for old people to die off and young people to get older to solve the issue
people to get older to solve the issue
people to get older to solve the issue of Islamophobia that’s not really a
of Islamophobia that’s not really a
of Islamophobia that’s not really a solution right and so that brings me to
solution right and so that brings me to
solution right and so that brings me to my third point the third reason I am
my third point the third reason I am
my third point the third reason I am hopeful and that is that all of the
hopeful and that is that all of the
hopeful and that is that all of the anti-muslim bigotry the response to
anti-muslim bigotry the response to
anti-muslim bigotry the response to terrorism all of this has really driven
terrorism all of this has really driven
terrorism all of this has really driven Muslims to become much more active in
Muslims to become much more active in
Muslims to become much more active in our society for example my organization
our society for example my organization
our society for example my organization even though our main focus is fighting
even though our main focus is fighting
even though our main focus is fighting anti-muslim bigotry we have put a lot of
anti-muslim bigotry we have put a lot of
anti-muslim bigotry we have put a lot of effort into engaging in interfaith
effort into engaging in interfaith
effort into engaging in interfaith dialogue our theory is that education is
dialogue our theory is that education is
dialogue our theory is that education is the best vaccine against a strip
the best vaccine against a strip
the best vaccine against a strip discrimination so this is a picture of
discrimination so this is a picture of
discrimination so this is a picture of yours truly and all of these people I’m
yours truly and all of these people I’m
yours truly and all of these people I’m speaking to are members of an
speaking to are members of an
speaking to are members of an organization called the tea party it was
organization called the tea party it was
organization called the tea party it was a fun discussion his speech about who
a fun discussion his speech about who
a fun discussion his speech about who Muslims are what Muslims believed in
Muslims are what Muslims believed in
Muslims are what Muslims believed in this group of people they had some tough
this group of people they had some tough
this group of people they had some tough questions they had some interesting
questions they had some interesting
questions they had some interesting questions but it was a friendly
questions but it was a friendly
questions but it was a friendly conversation and we changed some minds I
conversation and we changed some minds I
conversation and we changed some minds I think they were shocked to meet a Muslim
think they were shocked to meet a Muslim
think they were shocked to meet a Muslim who did not try to kill them
who did not try to kill them
who did not try to kill them I was also pleasantly surprised and
I was also pleasantly surprised and
I was also pleasantly surprised and leave the room alive and so we all were
leave the room alive and so we all were
leave the room alive and so we all were able to to come a little closer together
able to to come a little closer together
able to to come a little closer together to debod even if we did not agree with
to debod even if we did not agree with
to debod even if we did not agree with each other we were able to develop a
each other we were able to develop a
each other we were able to develop a respect for each other by the end of
respect for each other by the end of
respect for each other by the end of that conversation and that’s what we’ve
that conversation and that’s what we’ve
that conversation and that’s what we’ve been doing at a very quick pace this is
been doing at a very quick pace this is
been doing at a very quick pace this is me with a local church group and a
me with a local church group and a
me with a local church group and a mosque meeting visitors from the local
mosque meeting visitors from the local
mosque meeting visitors from the local Athens community another church here in
Athens community another church here in
Athens community another church here in the northern Atlantic region a Boy Scout
the northern Atlantic region a Boy Scout
the northern Atlantic region a Boy Scout group so this what we’re doing we’re
group so this what we’re doing we’re
group so this what we’re doing we’re trying to make a concerted effort to
trying to make a concerted effort to
trying to make a concerted effort to engage in interfaith dialogue because
engage in interfaith dialogue because
engage in interfaith dialogue because again our theory is that education is
again our theory is that education is
again our theory is that education is the best vaccine against discrimination
the best vaccine against discrimination
the best vaccine against discrimination if you know a Muslim you’re much less
if you know a Muslim you’re much less
if you know a Muslim you’re much less likely to hate Muslims the second thing
likely to hate Muslims the second thing
likely to hate Muslims the second thing that makes me optimistic is that if you
that makes me optimistic is that if you
that makes me optimistic is that if you look at what really changed the
look at what really changed the
look at what really changed the perceptions of Catholics and Jews in
perceptions of Catholics and Jews in
perceptions of Catholics and Jews in America it was then becoming very active
America it was then becoming very active
America it was then becoming very active in our society when President Kennedy
in our society when President Kennedy
in our society when President Kennedy won the election that was really in
won the election that was really in
won the election that was really in large part the end of anti-catholic
large part the end of anti-catholic
large part the end of anti-catholic bigotry in our country and so Muslims
bigotry in our country and so Muslims
bigotry in our country and so Muslims are becoming much more politically
are becoming much more politically
are becoming much more politically active back in 2014 you can see that 69%
active back in 2014 you can see that 69%
active back in 2014 you can see that 69% of American Muslims plan to vote in the
of American Muslims plan to vote in the
of American Muslims plan to vote in the midterm elections that is a much higher
midterm elections that is a much higher
midterm elections that is a much higher rate than general than the general
rate than general than the general
rate than general than the general population Jim for to 2016 74% intended
population Jim for to 2016 74% intended
population Jim for to 2016 74% intended to vote in the presidential primaries
to vote in the presidential primaries
to vote in the presidential primaries that is a much higher number than the
that is a much higher number than the
that is a much higher number than the general population so as Muslims become
general population so as Muslims become
general population so as Muslims become more active as they start getting
more active as they start getting
more active as they start getting elected office I think you’ll also see
elected office I think you’ll also see
elected office I think you’ll also see the negative use of Islam trend down and
the negative use of Islam trend down and
the negative use of Islam trend down and with that hate speech and hate crimes so
with that hate speech and hate crimes so
with that hate speech and hate crimes so these are the reasons again why I’m not
these are the reasons again why I’m not
these are the reasons again why I’m not freaking out why I’m not you know
freaking out why I’m not you know
freaking out why I’m not you know falling apart why I still get up in the
falling apart why I still get up in the
falling apart why I still get up in the morning confident that I can do my job
morning confident that I can do my job
morning confident that I can do my job and that God willing will win but even
and that God willing will win but even
and that God willing will win but even we don’t even if Muslims are the first
we don’t even if Muslims are the first
we don’t even if Muslims are the first community to lose this struggle that’s
community to lose this struggle that’s
community to lose this struggle that’s not a good thing but that doesn’t mean
not a good thing but that doesn’t mean
not a good thing but that doesn’t mean we give up you fight the good fight and
we give up you fight the good fight and
we give up you fight the good fight and win or lose you let the chips fall where
win or lose you let the chips fall where
win or lose you let the chips fall where they may
they may
they may we’re still going to get up and engage
we’re still going to get up and engage
we’re still going to get up and engage in dialogue with their neighbors we’re
in dialogue with their neighbors we’re
in dialogue with their neighbors we’re still going to make sure we’re opposing
still going to make sure we’re opposing
still going to make sure we’re opposing discrimination and upholding the
discrimination and upholding the
discrimination and upholding the Constitution so these are the reasons
Constitution so these are the reasons
Constitution so these are the reasons why I am optimistic let me make my last
why I am optimistic let me make my last
why I am optimistic let me make my last point what can you do this is what care
point what can you do this is what care
point what can you do this is what care is doing another Muslims are doing what
is doing another Muslims are doing what
is doing another Muslims are doing what can you do
can you do
can you do few things.first visit your local moss
few things.first visit your local moss
few things.first visit your local moss nothing bad will happen I promise you’ll
nothing bad will happen I promise you’ll
nothing bad will happen I promise you’ll have a nice time it’s just like church
have a nice time it’s just like church
have a nice time it’s just like church but without the pews everyone sits down
but without the pews everyone sits down
but without the pews everyone sits down in a mosque for the most part visit your
in a mosque for the most part visit your
in a mosque for the most part visit your local mosque engage in dialogue with
local mosque engage in dialogue with
local mosque engage in dialogue with your neighbors again if you know a
your neighbors again if you know a
your neighbors again if you know a Muslim things are gonna go much better
Muslim things are gonna go much better
Muslim things are gonna go much better for our society second thing engage in
for our society second thing engage in
for our society second thing engage in interfaith collaboration that means if
interfaith collaboration that means if
interfaith collaboration that means if you’re a member of a political group
you’re a member of a political group
you’re a member of a political group here on campus if you’re a member of the
here on campus if you’re a member of the
here on campus if you’re a member of the Young Republicans or the Young Democrats
Young Republicans or the Young Democrats
Young Republicans or the Young Democrats or an LGBT group or anything else do
or an LGBT group or anything else do
or an LGBT group or anything else do something collaboration with your Muslim
something collaboration with your Muslim
something collaboration with your Muslim neighbors with your fellow Muslim
neighbors with your fellow Muslim
neighbors with your fellow Muslim students college is a time where people
students college is a time where people
students college is a time where people can engage in the sort of dialogue in a
can engage in the sort of dialogue in a
can engage in the sort of dialogue in a freewheeling way without having to worry
freewheeling way without having to worry
freewheeling way without having to worry about all the problems that we old
about all the problems that we old
about all the problems that we old people have to deal with in our everyday
people have to deal with in our everyday
people have to deal with in our everyday life right so make you see your time in
life right so make you see your time in
life right so make you see your time in school to engage in dialogue with people
school to engage in dialogue with people
school to engage in dialogue with people you may not really agree with but
you may not really agree with but
you may not really agree with but dialogue is so important it breaks down
dialogue is so important it breaks down
dialogue is so important it breaks down walls finally if you get politically
walls finally if you get politically
walls finally if you get politically active please support candidates who do
active please support candidates who do
active please support candidates who do not want to deport or intern Muslims
not want to deport or intern Muslims
not want to deport or intern Muslims just a general piece of advice
just a general piece of advice
just a general piece of advice appreciate it
appreciate it
appreciate it volunteer intern or donate to civil
volunteer intern or donate to civil
volunteer intern or donate to civil rights groups who are in this fight not
rights groups who are in this fight not
rights groups who are in this fight not just for Muslim rights but the rights of
just for Muslim rights but the rights of
just for Muslim rights but the rights of all minority communities and I’ll show
all minority communities and I’ll show
all minority communities and I’ll show you a brief a little page of some of the
you a brief a little page of some of the
you a brief a little page of some of the groups that are leading the fight
groups that are leading the fight
groups that are leading the fight against Islamophobia these are some of
against Islamophobia these are some of
against Islamophobia these are some of the main groups including care of course
the main groups including care of course
the main groups including care of course what else in general if you see a Muslim
what else in general if you see a Muslim
what else in general if you see a Muslim on the street maybe someone who dresses
on the street maybe someone who dresses
on the street maybe someone who dresses more stereotypically they’re wearing a
more stereotypically they’re wearing a
more stereotypically they’re wearing a thumb and a turban and a beard most of
thumb and a turban and a beard most of
thumb and a turban and a beard most of the job don’t panic if you’re on an
the job don’t panic if you’re on an
the job don’t panic if you’re on an airplane you hear someone say something
airplane you hear someone say something
airplane you hear someone say something in Arabic don’t freak out and call the
in Arabic don’t freak out and call the
in Arabic don’t freak out and call the stewardess it’s probably okay Muslims
stewardess it’s probably okay Muslims
stewardess it’s probably okay Muslims say a lot of Arabic words in their daily
say a lot of Arabic words in their daily
say a lot of Arabic words in their daily life whenever I say I’m going to do
life whenever I say I’m going to do
life whenever I say I’m going to do something tomorrow I say I will see you
something tomorrow I say I will see you
something tomorrow I say I will see you tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow inshallah which means if God so wills
inshallah which means if God so wills
inshallah which means if God so wills when I get on a plane I pray I don’t
when I get on a plane I pray I don’t
when I get on a plane I pray I don’t like planes I make sure I say a prayer
like planes I make sure I say a prayer
like planes I make sure I say a prayer for my sake in my protection bismillah
for my sake in my protection bismillah
for my sake in my protection bismillah I’m the lowest allowed to wassalam a lot
I’m the lowest allowed to wassalam a lot
I’m the lowest allowed to wassalam a lot of so Allah Allah God protect me you may
of so Allah Allah God protect me you may
of so Allah Allah God protect me you may hear Arabic an freaked out but trust me
hear Arabic an freaked out but trust me
hear Arabic an freaked out but trust me it’s nothing to worry about
it’s nothing to worry about
it’s nothing to worry about usually now someone on your plane
usually now someone on your plane
usually now someone on your plane screams you know Allahu Akber really
screams you know Allahu Akber really
screams you know Allahu Akber really loudly okay even I might get a little
loudly okay even I might get a little
loudly okay even I might get a little nervous okay but generally speaking
nervous okay but generally speaking
nervous okay but generally speaking generally speaking you don’t need to
generally speaking you don’t need to
generally speaking you don’t need to worry if you hear Arabic on a plane so I
worry if you hear Arabic on a plane so I
worry if you hear Arabic on a plane so I just say in general treat your Muslim
just say in general treat your Muslim
just say in general treat your Muslim neighbors kindly see a Muslim on the
neighbors kindly see a Muslim on the
neighbors kindly see a Muslim on the street smile say hi they don’t bite it’s
street smile say hi they don’t bite it’s
street smile say hi they don’t bite it’s gonna make them feel better probably
gonna make them feel better probably
gonna make them feel better probably make you feel better as well these some
make you feel better as well these some
make you feel better as well these some of the little things and the big things
of the little things and the big things
of the little things and the big things you can do in your daily life to help us
you can do in your daily life to help us
you can do in your daily life to help us win this struggle to win
win this struggle to win
win this struggle to win a place for American Muslims just like
a place for American Muslims just like
a place for American Muslims just like our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors
our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors
our Jewish and our Catholic neighbors before us so with that I want to close
before us so with that I want to close
before us so with that I want to close by saying that you know Islamophobia
by saying that you know Islamophobia
by saying that you know Islamophobia really won’t end in my lifetime our goal
really won’t end in my lifetime our goal
really won’t end in my lifetime our goal is not to ends and our goal is to make
is not to ends and our goal is to make
is not to ends and our goal is to make it a nuisance anti-semitism is still
it a nuisance anti-semitism is still
it a nuisance anti-semitism is still here it’s still dangerous but it’s not a
here it’s still dangerous but it’s not a
here it’s still dangerous but it’s not a mortal threat to the entire Jewish
mortal threat to the entire Jewish
mortal threat to the entire Jewish community that is the same goal we have
community that is the same goal we have
community that is the same goal we have with the Muslim community to make
with the Muslim community to make
with the Muslim community to make Islamophobia a nuisance so that one day
Islamophobia a nuisance so that one day
Islamophobia a nuisance so that one day someone can stand on a stage in Georgia
someone can stand on a stage in Georgia
someone can stand on a stage in Georgia Tech and say remember a time when
Tech and say remember a time when
Tech and say remember a time when Muslims were considered unwelcome
Muslims were considered unwelcome
Muslims were considered unwelcome disloyal never heard that before
disloyal never heard that before
disloyal never heard that before that’s our goal god willing one day so
that’s our goal god willing one day so
that’s our goal god willing one day so again I thank you and I like to wrap up
again I thank you and I like to wrap up
again I thank you and I like to wrap up with the nation saying of the faithful
with the nation saying of the faithful
with the nation saying of the faithful in Hebrew Shalom Aleichem and Arabic
in Hebrew Shalom Aleichem and Arabic
in Hebrew Shalom Aleichem and Arabic assalamu alaykum in english may peace be
assalamu alaykum in english may peace be
assalamu alaykum in english may peace be upon you thank you
”
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