What if Jared Loughner were a Muslim? [View All]

[azurnoir]

When the news first broke that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot at a political event, all Americans were united in our response of shock and outrage.

Shortly afterward, the media reported that a 22-year-old male had been arrested in the shooting. His name had not yet been released. I believe your reaction to that piece of news depended greatly on your status in American society -- namely, whether you're a Muslim.

If you are a typical white person, I would imagine your initial response was relief the suspect was caught, and an attempt to make sense of why he committed this horrible crime.

But if you are Muslim or of Arab heritage, your reaction to the news of the arrest was likely: "Please don't let him be Arab ... please don't let him be Muslim." Believe me, that was my reaction.

This reaction in not unique to American Arabs and Muslims -- most minorities in America have a similar response when a horrific crime has been committed and the identity of the suspect is still unknown.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/01/13/obeidallah.loughner.muslims/index.html