Santarelli

Joseph Santarelli
Malcolm Campbell
English 1103
February 24, 2015
Topic Proposal: Muslims in America
Introduction/Overview
Ever since the 2001, 9/11 attack in New York; a large amount of the American people
have had an underlying fear and distrust for Muslims. This fear has been perverted into hate. As
of a 2010 poll, only 27 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of Muslims. I am just
trying to understand why this is. It might just be because I am ethnic, or maybe I am just better
educated on Muslim Americans. Many Americans assume that prior to the 9/11 attack, every
single Muslim around the world agreed and consented to the attack and other acts of terror. It is
grossly irresponsible to lump all members in a group together. A person cannot afford to deal in
absolutes in the modern world. Is it correct to assume that all Christians are in the KKK? Know
or consent to their actions? Or agree with the crusades and other blots on their history? No, it is
flat out incorrect and idiotic to make such an assumption. How then do so many assume that all
Muslims are members of Isis and/or fully support their actions? This leap makes no sense to me,
on the grounds that it its irrational and illogical.
People arguing about the true/evil intentions of Islam often quote passages from the
Quran. They say how the Quran is an evil, hateful book that goads all Muslims into slaughtering
Christians. I will not deny the fact that there are many passages of the Quran, instructing
Muslims to kill those who stray from the faith. However, The Bible has just as many murderous
passages, if not more. The Bible says

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And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up
before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away

from Israel. Numbers 25:4.

Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare
them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and

donkeys.'" 1 Samuel 15:3.

At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed them--men, women and
children. We left no survivors. Deuteronomy 2:34.

I am honestly confused how Christians can argue how evil the Quran is, when these hateful,
sadistic words come from the good book. I am not attempting to condemn Christians; I just do
not see how using passages from the Quran could even be an argument. Isis is a group of violent
extremists; it is illogical to assume Muslims and Isis are one in the same. I want to delve into
where these misconceptions come from and correct any and all misunderstandings.

Initial Inquiry Question

When and where did Americans begin to distrust, fear and hate followers of Islam? How
and why do people lump violent extremists and members of a loving religion together? How can
we as a people combat this kind of misunderstanding and hatred?

My Interest in this Topic

All my life I have gravitated towards ethnic and racially divers friend groups. My best friend all
through high school is named Isaiah Ali Mateen, and yes, he is a Muslim. He is a good kid, from
a good family; I have eaten at their table and shown me love and respect. A few of my very good
friends are Muslim and I understand that it is a very loving religion that has been spun into an

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evil by American fear. When we first got assigned this paper, the kid across from me decided to
write his paper on how the actions of Isis are justified by the Quran, and in effect all Muslims
consent to the actions of Isis. Not to sound judgmental, because Im sure his paper will be well
written, but I felt the responsibility to correct his stupidity. I honestly want to understand where
this prejudgment and hate comes from. If I understand where it comes from then I will better
understand how to combat it in the future.

Next Steps
I am going to get interviews with Isaiah and his father, and also interview my friend Khalid
Shahin. If Conrad lets me interview him I will do that as well. I want to understand where his
judgment calls come from. I am honestly wondering if he has ever met or talked to a Muslim
before. The Muslim he describes sounds like its straight from Call of Duty. Regardless of if
he lets me interview him, I will be procuring a copy of his topic proposal to see what arguments
he is making and see what is logical and not. Isis is not the true face of Islam I desperately want
people to understand that, just as I understand that ignorance is not the true face of Christianity.

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