“Why is it that if you’re Islamophobic, you can’t be anti-Semitic, and if you’re anti-Semitic, you can’t be Islamophobic? Why must you tolerate one and not the other? Why must you choose sides?
I shouldn’t have to condone extremism; I can be a moderate. Doesn’t a mediator need to hear both sides of the story in order to find a compromise? Otherwise, how will we ever achieve peace in the Middle East if we keep attacking whoever the majority leaders’ opinion deem to be the target of their rage?
Can’t you see that all you’re doing is perpetuating the conflict? I don’t choose to hate; I choose to live and let live. We are not animals, and it’s not ‘life for the wolves means death for the sheep.’ It means that for there to be life for the sheep, we must stop acting like wolves.”
By: ElRoyPoet, 2024
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Op-Ed: As I reflect on the widespread hatred and intolerance that tragically impact our world, I am left with a profound question: why are we expected to choose between Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, but not both? Why must we tolerate one and not the other? The answer is simple: because we have been conditioned to view these prejudices as mutually exclusive, rather than recognizing them as two sides of the same coin.
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This pretense is perpetuated by the media, which often sensationalizes conflicts and stereotypes in a way that reinforces harmful narratives. As media scholar Edward Said notes, “The Orientalist gaze is one of the most powerful instruments of domination and control” (Said, 1978). In other words, the way we represent and perceive certain groups of people can have a profound impact on our attitudes towards them.
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Moreover, this binary thinking is reinforced by populist leaders and their pundits who employ fear-mongering and divisive rhetoric to further their own agendas. As journalist Glenn Greenwald writes, “The most destructive and insidious forms of racism are those that are camouflaged as ‘anti-racism’ or ‘anti-bigotry’ but are actually just as racist” (Greenwald, 2016). In other words, pretending to be anti-racist or anti-bigoted while actually perpetuating harmful stereotypes and biases is not only detrimental but also counterproductive.
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But why must we choose between these two prejudices? Why can’t we be moderate? As a pacifist, I believe that hearing both sides of the story is essential to finding a compromise. In any conflict that is fueled by religious and political differences, it is crucial that we listen to both perspectives rather than simply taking sides.
Unfortunately, the current political climate is characterized by a lack of empathy and understanding. Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue and seeking common ground, we often resort to name-calling and demonization. As a result, we perpetuate the very conflicts we seek to resolve.
I don’t choose to hate; I choose to live and let live. I believe that we are not barbarians, and that our actions have consequences. We must recognize that our words and deeds have the power to either harm or heal. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” (King, 1963).
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In conclusion, I firmly believe that we must challenge the notion that we must choose between Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Instead, we must recognize that these prejudices are interconnected and that tolerance and understanding are essential for achieving peace in the Middle East and beyond. By embracing moderation and seeking common ground, we can work towards a more just and peaceful world for us and the generations to come.
References:
Greenwald, G. (2016). No Place for Extremism: Why We Must Reject Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism. The Intercept.
King, M. L. Jr. (1963). Where Do We Go from Here?: Chaos or Community? Grosse Pointe Press.
Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Books.
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