Crucial an important. Let's see if Obama is for real.

very good article. I think Obama will eventually raise this issue. I really believe this whole Muslim thing is really going backfire royally. The Haters will dig a huge pit and they are going to fall in it. I believe the majority of people are good and will see this smear campaign as very ugly. I really believe even McCain sees this as very low. Unfortunately or fortunately the radicals will sink McCain.

Taking the road Naomi suggests isn't going to change American culture. Directly stating he is a Christian and embraces Muslims will. Honesty is the best policy, and those are the honest facts. However, ignoring right winger attacks that state false facts would create room for them to continue to spread their dishonesty. You can't let false facts (nonfacts?) about a subject to continue to spread and hope people become tolerant by ingesting them.

Whether it's a smear or not is one thing, but whether it works or not is another.

Thank you Ms Klein!
I don't believe in any religion but in the wisdom of people like you who can make this world a better place. Is Barack Obama one of them?

Naomi Kline articulates what I have been thinking for some time. Hate-talk radio shows, rightwing pundits, and Fox "News," are among the promoters of "Islam is always bad." It filters down to ignorant people who actually watch or listen to the regressive media and even to young people who have no interest in radical wingnut politics. One young woman I know referred to Middle Easterners as "ragheads" without having a clue why that was a bigoted slur or what the implications are. I had a conversation with her about it and found out that she had no idea her comment was even offensive.

Another acquaintance, an older man who considers himself to be a conservative Christian, was indignant that Obama's middle name is "Hussein," and often refers to Islam as the force that threatens the American way of life. He gets his so-called news from rightwing radio and TV. The barrage of "Barack HUSSEIN Obama, Barack HUSSEIN Obama, Barack HUSSEIN Obama, Barack HUSSEIN Obama, Barack HUSSEIN Obama" has come across loud and clear to him.

It's amazing to me that so few Christians realize how essentially similar their religion is to Islam or have any concept of its roots in Judaism. The three Abrahamic religions differ in details and focus, but their One God is not very different from one to another. Of course, the "I am right and any diversion is wrong" attitude is true of Catholics vs Protestants and Evangelicals vs every other Christian religion. I have family members who attend a Methodist church and believe that there are very, very few "real" Christians in America, as if the specific way they believe is the only possible "correct" one.

For a country founded on religious freedom and individual rights, many of our American citizens are singularly intolerant of any religions outside of their personal experience. Mormanism, Islam, Hinduism, various "cults" (which are simply religions that have not yet taken hold in mainstream society), and other world religions often threaten people who have narrow or limited experience.

Not everyone thinks deeply or even has the background to question preconceptions. Therefore, the person who wishes to be the "leader of the most powerful country on earth" has an obligation to stand up for religious diversity and be a good example. Barack Obama is in a position to do so, and it's a disappointment that he has not taken the high road on this issue.

I think that the less Obama responds to being taunted about Islam, that #1) The less such taunting there will be, and #2) The more such taunting from his would-be critics, to whatever extent, will backfire with voters.

I also think that there is almost nothing imaginable that could start a better and faster real repair of world relations than for every little village around the world to hear that THE AMERICAN PEOPLE just elected Barack Hussein Obama as their president. What's in a name? A whole lot---if we can just get past our own redneckedness, and get it done. Not because he's a Muslim and will "favor" Islam. He isn't and he won't.
But that name would be more valuable as a rebranding of the USA than even "Coca Cola." It would say something new and wonderful ABOUT US as a people.

When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball he was called every disgusting name in the book. He never reacted. He was able to transcend race by not getting caught up in the accusations. He just played great baseball.

Barack Obama is doing the same and should continue to do it. As soon as he points to something like this picture and says "That's racist" then his candidacy becomes about race entirely. It makes him look thin-skinned and weak. Right now it is the people who leak these pictures and the idiot radio hosts trying to fire up McCain rally by emphasizing Obama's middle name who look ugly and desperate. Obama is doing the right thing by remaining above the fray - not by leaping in with them.

Besides, it's a trap. If he complains about the picture then the other side accuses him of being culturally insensitive since they have appeared in traditional garb when they travel. If he complains about the overuse of his middle name by conservative wingnuts they just say it is a common, proud, Muslim middle name and they see nothing wrong with it - it is only Obama who views it as shameful. Obama is a great speaker but do you really think he'll be able, in the thirty second soundbite he'll be given to talk about it, to explain to the average American that he isn't racist or ashamed of his heritage - it is the other side who is trying to play off the racism of others by making him seem a racist if he objects to what they are claiming is not really racist but obviously is racist? Never. All the average American will come to understand is that Obama is ashamed of his heritage and is trying to run and hide from it. If they understand nothing else they will understand that he has something to be ashamed of and we aren't looking for shame in our leaders.

By ignoring it he remains above it. That's where he belongs.

Naomi always points out the deeper thought. Yes Masses, tis true, Barack is just another politician, for the better or worse of it. This is history repeating itself for the umpteenth time. Let's hope that if elected Obama, can be at least slightly more beneficial to the U.S. than the whiskey running, whoring Kennedy was. Maybe even make it to a second term. My mother a vote straight down the Republican ticket gal for 50+ years (in all levels of elections), is ready to vote for what is probably her second Democrat, because "He's uniting and giving people hope just like JFK!. Everybody loved JFK." I told her at least ONE (sic) "lone gunman" didn't like him. Funny, status quo and bureaucracy just seem like they'd loose a ("Change") race with a snail.

Muslim is a bad word for a presidential candidate.
Doesnt go over well with over 60 voters in red states. And some blue states.

N.K. always does great work. She cuts right through the fogs and miasmas that blind most people. If Obama gets into the white house, I hope he'll offer her an important job - for the good of the nation and the world.

"Substitute another faith or ethnicity, and you'd expect a very different response."

Not if you substitute Mormonism. That seems clear.

It seems that truth doesn't matter with the media and the dumbed-down minds of many Americans. FIXed News' Bill-O or rush limbaugh can simply state some absolute lie and listeners will follow like lemmings.

The bigots and racists need to grow up. For one thing, not all Muslims are extremist terrorists. I don't agree with a previous poster who said Obama should ignore the lies. It doesn't do any good to "take the high road" and not fight back with the vicious right-wingers. It just makes it seem like what they said was correct.

John McCain immediately went public and denied he had a relationship with a woman a few years back; he didn't just ignore the claim. I don't know if he did or not, he probably did, but he did the right thing to immediately defend himself if he wanted to stay in the race. Not that politicians lie now.....

Perhaps Obama should start every speech with "I am not a Muslim nor have I ever been a Muslim." Maybe that would shut the smearmongers up.

I think Obama should stay out of the discussion. BUT, the Democrats should be all over the Republican talking points about Obama's Muslim connections. One religion is as goofy as another to me, but the Republicans have to be called on their racism and not just on this important issue. Republicans say a lot of racist things that shouldn't be condoned by silence.

Ed Graham

Come on. In the middle of the race for the nomination, it's not the time for Obama to be side tracked to making a point for a politically correct view but one that might bring on a flood of unwanted and unnecessary criticism from the GOP.

Sounds like the great distinction Hillary demanded re rebuke and denounce.

People who know that slurring someone due to their being a Muslim is wrong don't need that message, and the ones that don't won't change.

I live in Georgia and no more than 2 hours ago I pulled into a supermarket to do next week's shopping. On my way into the store, I passed a store employee chatting with a customer, who said, "Barack Obama's a MUSLIM, and that scares me to death." I'm not even an Obama supporter, since I was left candidateless when John Edwards dropped out, but that comment made me see red. I actually interrupted them to say that Obama is NOT a Muslim and never has been, he's a Christian. One of them said in response, "But he'd be VERY bad for this country." As I walked on, I responded, "No, he would NOT!"

Later I thought that I'd been rude to interrupt their conversation. I'm sure they both got their "information" in church or maybe FoxNews, though I'd bet church first.

While I agree that there's prejudice against Muslims in a lot of rightwing thought, I think FIRST that Obama needs to make it crystal clear that he isn't a Muslim every time it comes up. That at least removes the "bad-religion taint" from him, and it doesn't keep on multiplying because he hasn't responded to it. He's no John Kerry.

The next step is certainly to say, "And even if I were Muslim, so what?" But do you know what kind of LONG discussion that would take with somebody who believes all Muslims are terrorists? Or that all religions are "wrong" unless they're Christian? Sometimes all you can do is protest the upfront lie because of time constraints OR because those who believe the lie and are terrified by it have other deep-seated negative issues with all religion, even true Christianity.

Maybe if Obama's the Democratic candidate, he can address the fears and prejudices of the ignorant and misguided who believe that all Muslims are terrorists or damned heathens. But I think it's a problem that has become deeply embedded in the psyche of a part of America because of GW Bush's fearmongering, and it will now take generations to eradicate.

It is a kind of "swiftboating" because it is the MSM with its hands on the throttle. They target the smear, appropriatre it, coddle it, feed it and let 'er rip. Obama can rise above it and should, but, let's be honest, if you had so many burning bags on your front stoop how could you be sure to step on the right one? The man's only got so many pairs of shoes.

Time enough after he is sworn in as President, for Obama to remember that clique of fanatical American Jewry who are pulling out all stops to try to prevent a presidency which heralds "change". Even moderate readers of the contemporary Jewish press (Rosner's column, for instance) sense the angst in certain Jewish ranks that change might mean Israel's fellow travelers in the US might lose their IRON GRIP on US foreign policy.

yerch, I agree with you that Obama's best tactic is to remain above the fray and simply correct the factual errors. Any other attempt at deeper arguments will only be turned around by the right-wing conservatives using the "True Scotsman" fallacious argumentation techinique.

Huh. That would be like Hillary being called a Wikkan, and instead of simply saying she is not a Wikkan, leaping to the defense of Wikkans everywhere and admonishing everyone for their prejudice against Wikkans. "Well if I was Wikkan, which I'm not, why would that be a bad thing?" Guilt by association. It would be Hillary aligned with the witches, or Hillary the Witch.
That's just what the Right would love, to maneuver him into being associated with, defending, and highlighting the Muslim faith, constantly. Let Obama stand by his own faith and work toward the acceptance of all in his inclusive presidency if he is to have one. The Muslims can take care of themselves.

Great article. The best time for Obama to address the anti-muslim problem is when he is President Obama. He is only going to loose votes if he is seen as defensive of Islam because of misconceptions that were fostered into the american mindset over a decade ago. This is more apparent in the swing states of Florida and Ohio, and others.

Yes, he should do something about this racist behavior but he will be more effective at a later date. Stay tuned.

One of my co-workers announced that Obama was "practically a Muslim" (whatever that means)

Another announced that Obama and Clinton had voted to make Spanish the official language of the USA!

I can't imagine where she got that. It had to be email or talk radio, I'd guess.

RE: - Naomi Kline articulates what I have been thinking for some time.

Ditto!

RE: - (at least to many Fox viewers, who think any headdress other than a baseball cap is a declaration of war on America)

There used to be a poster a few years back on rabble pointing out that one doesn't blame all Christians for the actions of Timothy McVeigh (sp?) - and it showed a picture of a man in a turban and pointed out that the person wasn't even Muslim, they were Sikh. Most of those wishing to commit hate crimes against Muslims don't care if they harass or intimidate a Sikh by accident.

RE: - The best part is this: unlike ending the Iraq War and closing Guantánamo, standing up to Islamophobia doesn't need to wait until after the election. Obama can use his campaign to start now. Let the repairing begin.

Naomi Klein's husband was harshly criticised by the racist right (they called him racist and sexist) just for questioning a guest (Ayaan Hirsi Ali) who said that there was no such thing as Islamophobia. This is a woman who would make you believe that an entire religion is made up solely of pedophiles - which is apt to increase violence against the group. I have met people on line who figure that there is no such thing as a good Muslim recommending her book to me as a means of proving their case.

There is a movement in the US to convince people that hating Muslims is not racist or wrong but based on the premise that Islam preaches evil. But isn't that the way it always is that the most disgusting of racist acts are committed by racists in denial!

RE: - It's amazing to me that so few Christians realize how essentially similar their religion is to Islam or have any concept of its roots in Judaism.

The only reason I know of the similarity is first because I read the Satanic Verses and second that I listened to an interview with Maher Arar and his wife Monia Mazigh where he said that Yussef was the profit Joseph who was unfairly imprisoned by his brother and later became a Finance Minister. He said that the story kept him going when he was imprisoned and being tortured.

RE: - When Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball he was called every disgusting name in the book. He never reacted. He was able to transcend race by not getting caught up in the accusations. He just played great baseball.

Jackie Robinson was chosen for the task because he was deemed the one out of a talented bunch who could best withstand the taunts. He has both a regular minute and a radio minute:

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10218

RE: - Perhaps Obama should start every speech with "I am not a Muslim nor have I ever been a Muslim." Maybe that would shut the smearmongers up.

Ok, there is nothing wrong with clearing the record and pointing out that he is Christian, but he should also do more than he has done (and he has done more of late) to stick up for those most marginalized by society.

Guess who is endorsing Obama's candidacy - El-Farouk Khaki, an openly gay Muslim human rights lawyer running for office who supports the concept of women Imams.

As Ms. Klein pointed out -When asked during the Ohio debate about Louis Farrakhan's support for his candidacy, Obama did not hesitate to call Farrakhan's anti-Semitic comments "unacceptable and reprehensible."- But he went on to give a more than hearty reaffirmation of his undying support of the Zionist Terrorist State of Israel. (which made me perfectly sick!)

So someone suggests he has the support of an anti-Semitic black leader, and he has to fall over himself to appease all the supporters of the murderous killers of the Palestinian people.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A6D28BF0-554F-42A6-975E-5472D29C935D.htm
Pretty soon, will he'll be sounding like Condom Rice and blaming the legitimately elected Hamas for the daily bombings and inhuman apartheid torture being meted out by the Zionist mafia state on the residence of Gaza, while then as president, singing the cheques for weapons, munitions and money to help Israel continue its decimation, just like every other well trained puppet American president before him.

America, the beacon of democracy and freedom? Sure! Congratulations, perhaps it is representative of the majority where an intelegent half black man with a perfectly good middle name has to appear to support a racist state engaged daily in war crimes, using ethnic cleansing and apartheid, in order to have any chance to be elected president.

Change? They won't be holding their breath if they live in Gaza!

These two are a Freakin' joke! Hey, Dennis! Where are you????????????????????????

As a retired Foreign Service Officer I can recall more than one occasion when I was called upon to wear the national dress of the host country. It is a way to compliment another culture. I recall wearing Indonesian and Philippine dress shirts, and African attire on many an occasion. For the last seven years Bush has doned the national dress of the host country at Asia Pacific Economic Conferences.

One of the great benefits of an Obama presidency will be having a President who has actually lived in a foreign culture (Texas does not count!) Obama's middle mname will actually win us friends in the Middle East. What a change from the Bush administration which has made the US the most despised nation on the face of the earth. Islamophobia that is emerging from under the rocks of the Clinton and McCain camps serves us all ill.

It is important to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate criticism.

While there's no way that I will vote for a corporate hack like Obama, I have been put in the position of vigorously defending him against racist and other hysterical smears.

Observing reactionary mouth-breathers attack Obama with visceral hatred (go with your strenghts?) puts me in mind of partisan Democrats talking (sic) about Ralph Nader.

The turbin pix are a graphic of the trivialization and dumbing down of the American public by our betters of the main stream media. They should need a license to practice the same a doctors, and when they pull stuff like this, they should be thrown out, their licenses revoked, and made to walk in black robes through our inner cities begging alms.

Obama will say whatever he thinks will get him the presidency. This will not include a defence of Islam.

"Hate-talk radio shows, rightwing pundits, and Fox "News," are among the promoters of "Islam is always bad."

What would be your best example?

"Bill-O or rush limbaugh can simply state some absolute lie and listeners will follow like lemmings."

What would be your best example?

You know, I have the same reaction every time I hear the term "muslim smear." Why is being called muslim a smear? I'm an atheist but I recognize Islam is one of the most widely practiced religions in the world. Like all institutions, it has its problems but are they any worse than Christianity or Judaism?

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that in this country, it is not only a smear to call someone Muslim but it is perhaps the worst smear available.

_ T H A N K ___ Y O U ___ N A O M I _

Your insightful article is fundamentally (joke intended) a method for all of us to realize how much bias we all carry around, w/o even knowing about it.

We're blessed to have access to those who paint the reality out for us to see clearly, especially when we are so often the source of our own problems …

Namaste
… … … … … Mahatma Gandhi … & … ML King … … Inspiration … … … … …
« We must be the change we wish to see in the world »
« There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed »
« We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself » — MLK

You know over 1 billion Muslims are watching this debate all over the world and its not winning hearts and minds. Its making their front page papers and I promise you its hurting America's already damaged image even more. We really cannot afford that right now.

Obama should take the high road and he should say to people I am a Christian and this is my faith but there is nothing wrong with Islam or Muslims. We should not endorse hate and the Republicans are endorsing hate tactics to scare people. As President I support freedom of religion and the rights of all Americans to peacefully practice their faiths. Religious pluralism makes this country a strong and successful one.

My husband is an Afghan-American and up until this point he was an enthusiastic Obama supporter. He's a very liberal Muslim and occasionally indulges in a martini or two. He loves American football and Christmas is actually his favorite time of the year. However, he's still proud of his faith. Now he is beggining to wonder if Obama deserves his vote. My husband is feeling like Obama is giving in to this bigotry and it frightens him because my husband loves America and this is his home and he doesn't want people to think hating Muslims is acceptable.

Thank you Naomi for taking the high road. I love your books and your values. I hope my country can learn something from you.

I suggest that y'all put on your tinfoil hats.

I strongly suspect that there are psyops operations going on to fan the flames for a religion/hate war between Christians and Muslims.

The 20th century was a bloody affair, but compared to the 21st it will seem to have been but an appetizer.

ALL the bombs are in the hands of terrorists!

All the focus on skin color, identity and religion keeps everyone from noticing the actual issues. Obama voted to keep the PATRIOT Act alive. He voted against impeachment. He voted to make class action lawsuits almost impossible. What kind of a candidate is that? I'm voting for Nader. Talk about identity politics, this is the man whose first paragraph of his wikipedia page describes his as an "Arab American." Obama's first paragraph says nothing about his ethnicity.

In my opinion, it's more of a smear to call him a Christian, based on the behavior of our so-called Christian leaders.

Wouldn't it be great if all the God-botherers could be transported to another planet to fuss and fight and leave us more rational humans here so we could get on with enjoying life and making the world a great place to live.

Don't the God-botherers realize that they have outstayed their welcome, that many of us are tired of the endless silliness that religion is, of the competing claims and counter-claims none of which have the tiniest shred of evidence to support them.

Religion is for adults who can't accept there is no Santa!

www.dangerouscreation.com

Naomi makes very good points. Obama has the opportunity to go beyond correcting being mistakenly called Muslim to adding that there is nothing wrong with being Muslim and with the millions of Muslims in America as well. This would seem politically advantageous if countered directly since it makes visible the thinly veiled bigotry contained in the charge. I don't think Americans want to think of themselves as bigoted.

It's a sad testament to the state of affairs when the fact that Obama's middle name matters at all. Besides, you've had presidents before with more ridiculous names... GROVER Cleavland, LYNDON Johnson (with his even more ridiculous wife LADYBIRD), Franklin DELANO Roosevelt... so come on, Hussein is a pretty darn common name. But I'm sure it freaks out the red-neck crowd... Ignorance is rampant.

trueblue said: "I don't think Americans want to think of themselves as bigoted."

Yeah, don't want to *think* of themselves as bigoted, but are none the less. In fact, I'd argue that the vast majority of people are to a certain degree.

My elderly aunt convinced my elderly Mom that Obama is a Muslim. It took a lot of discussion to unconvince her, especially as my aunt supposedly has "proof". This stuff has to come from somewhere.

As a Muslim, I have felt like my religion and ethnic background has been under attack since 9/11...well ever since the 1979 Iran Revolution to be exact. This despite the fact that I am simply spiritual, not religious and do not go to Mosque and do not pray or fast. There are hundreds of Millions of Muslims like me around the World As an example there are several agnostics in my own family and counting my extended family, there is probably about 10-15 of us out of 5o-60 people who are agnostic or down right atheists even though we were born Muslim. The vilification of everything Muslim has been carried out to such hysteria and heights that the very word Islam has become a dirty word in this country. This has, of course, been facilitated by the notion of fear, fear-mongoring, the corporate Media, and a cultural environment infused with self righteous patrio-fascit group thinking. Patrio-fascitic Nationalism on the part of we American has had alot to do with vilifying Muslims. But more than anything else, the corporate media and it's perpetual propogation of the the myths related to 9/11 and what happened on that day has been the biggest factor in producing this hateful environment that could lead to possible future wars, more torture, more bombs and innocent Civillian deaths, more destruction and more profits for the Military Industrial Congressional Complex. They will come after Obama like you won't believe. Their aim is to make Obama into a former drug addict and drug dealer who is also a Muslim and whose middle name is Husien. I suspect that this will work and if it does not or appears to not work, then watch out for another False-Flag operation and watch as they blame it on Muslim terrorist. These Republicans and Neocons are very very different than previous groups of Republicans in that they will stop at NOTHING in order to hold on to power and why is that? Because they have made tens of Billions so far from this "war on Terror" via transfering the money from the poor and middle class to the rich and the Gravey train has been very very good to them. They will not let go of the gravey train that easily. Trust me, Obama will be busy most of the Summer and Fall defending himslef against these sort of Racist attacks. I am affraid that simply referring to Republican methods as racist or Islamophobic will not work because there is so much hatred for Muslims and Islam already in this country. The only thing that will help is telling the truth about 9/11, something that Naomi neglected to do in her book, The Shock Doctine ( an excellent book) and not only that, she perpetuated the same lies about 9/11 as the rest of the corporate shells and in the process aided and abatted the fear mongoring and racist Islamophobic attitudes so common among Americans.

The white male Christians have done such a great job running the joint, I can't imagine ever wanting to give someone else a try.

It is interesting to recognize the tempation we all have to give Mr. Obama advice. The writer of this article obviously experiences this temptation. Yet, the fact is, Mr. Obama has an endowment which makes him wiser and more adept than most of us. I have every confidence he will handle the "Muslim" matter with the same grace and force with which he has handled everything else.

chakka

I agree.

You are a class act, Naomi. You walk in the footsteps of your big sister and my hero, Arundhati Roy. Keep up the good work.

Love,

Don

I agree that Obama should not respond to the ignorant association of himself to the Muslim faith, except to matter of factly correct the error. Those who persist in trying to "libel" him will wind up looking ignorant, foolish, bigoted, and desperate. There's nothing wrong with being Muslim. There is something wrong with continuing to label someone a Muslim who isn't a Muslim. I would be highly offended if anyone persisted in labeling me a Christian.

Good points raised by Naomi Klein, and many other good observations. But lets get real, Barack is growing in leaps and bounds as a statesman, all the while fending off like a martial artist a rain of assailants from the right. Let's not jump to the conclusion that simply because he has not yet raised the flag of religious bigotry aimed at him and all Muslims yet, doesn't mean that in the next few months he won't. What a delicate challenge. We are at war, albeit one so horrendously ill advised and wrong it borders on incomprehensible that the American people still won't stand up united against it, against Islamic fundamentalism fueled in large by the export of the Saudi version, and by Al Queda. Unfortunately we also have a dumbed down masses, so for Mr. Obama to defend Islam and Muslims in general, he must do so in the most delicate and intelligent manner possible. Give him a chance, he will rise to the occasion.

Actually, I have a dream.
Obama starts to support Nader's ideas(which are one the average citizens care about).

He wins in landslide.

Takes Shahaddah ( becomes a Muslim) and takes the oath of office on a Qur'an.