Park51: Muslims in America

Johnson, Stephon, and Orobosa Igbinedio. "ISLAM AND RACE." New York Amsterdam News 100.36 (2010): 1-28. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.

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Orobosa Igbinedio and Stephon Johnson discuss the misconception of Muslims in America. Many Americans today believe that Muslims were responsible for the terroristic attacks on the World Trade Centers in 2001. Today, Muslims make up 23% of the World’s population, and are peace-loving people. The authors state that America needs to realize that Park51 is not going to be a mosque, rather an Islamic community center including culinary classes, swimming pools, and a September 11th memorial. If Park51’s plans were forced to be relocated, then this would spark many debates of religious freedom and the level of ignorance in America. Johnson and Igbinedio also state that there is a mosque five blocks northeast of Ground Zero where people have been worshipping a year before the construction of the World Trade Centers began. This tells us that Muslims have always been present in America, but because of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, “Islamophobia” has emerged throughout the Nation. In turn, the authors tell readers that Americans should open their eyes to the idea of a more diverse nation, and because the Constitution allows religious freedom, Park51 should be allowed wherever the blueprints are placed.

Johnson and Igbinedio’s point of view is very important because their opinion puts the whole issue into a more unbiased perspective. Neither of them have a closed off mind two either side of the argument, so reading their article helps you easily see pros and cons on both sides. They both question the ignorance in America stating that America claims to be cosmopolitan, but so closed off to the idea of religious freedom. This article is important to an outsider because the authors present both sides of the argument, giving the reader a better understanding of the argument, helping them give a more logical interpretation. The article also helps biased arguers the chance to hear the other sides reasoning behind their opinion, allowing them to be more open minded.