Full blown rage at the murder of #MichelBrown in #Ferguson and the recent murders of #JohnCrawford and #EricGarner. How many more black men and women are we going to allow to be demonized, stereotyped and murdered for their color? We as Muslims have an incredibly important role in changing the narrative of oppression within our greater society by beginning within our own communities. As were outraged at Israels slaughter of Gaza civilians, as were horrified at ISIS for killing innocent Christians and Muslims and as we pray for Burma and every other nation to lift their oppression, then let us collectively speak loudly about the oppression in our own society and that which we ourselves often unknowingly commit in our own communities. Making statements such as, Dont go out in the sun so your skin doesnt get darker! is oppression. Not being comfortable with our children marrying a black brother or sister- simply due to race or color- is oppression. We tote Malcolm X (may Gods mercy be on him) as one of our symbols of historical Muslim contribution to the US, but how many would refuse his hand if he had come for their daughter because of his blackness? We cannot stop at blaming the police; the dehumanizing mentality that many of us ourselves hold is the seed that manifests into unjust action. The Quran talks about God creating us in different colors as amongst one of His signs. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that no race or color makes a person better than another and that the only measure of awesomeness is closeness to God. Of course so many of us do try to live this, whether were black or any other race or color. But too many of us still dont and its plaguing our society. The black community has historically endured an unspeakable amount of crimes against humanity and those crimes continue today. Whether were black or any other race or color, we must stand together in denouncing a culture of stereotyping black men and fetishizing black women, and instead stand together for justice as the Quran calls: O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do. (Quran, 4:135)
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 05:34:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015