Park51: Bias Opinions in America

Ghosh, Bobby, Barbara Abel, Julia Lieblich, Michael Scherer, Jay Newton-Small, Elizabeth Dias, Katy Steinmetz and Andrea Ford. "Islam in America." Time 176.9 (2010): 20-26. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2010.

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In the article, "Islam in America," the authors discuss how biased America is in the subject of Muslims in America. The authors used Mansoor Mirza as an example, who applied for a building permit of an Islamic mosque in Wisconsin. With the Park51 debate rising, many Muslims use the protesters as an example for this as well, saying America is biased in all of their arguments because of the events of 9-11 in 2001. Mirza presented his idea for a mosque in Wisconsin to his community after he had already purchased the property. He wasn’t expecting disagreement considering he was well known throughout the community, but when he asked for community approval, he heard many statements he was not expecting at all, including, "it just isn’t America." The event didn’t receive much national attention, but with Park51 rising, Mirza has received a little more attention. This just proves that today in America, many have become stereotypical with new ideas pertaining to Islamic culture. To make steps in American acceptance of Muslims, we need to begin to stop being bias in our arguments pertaining to cultures.

This article is very important because it gives the reader a real life example of a mosque not being accepted by a community. In regards to Park51, it will be easier to form an educated opinion with sources of real life examples. Mirza’s situation helps readers realize that the stereotypes are not just a problem with the Park51 debate but has become a nationwide issue throughout America today. Many Muslim throughout the country are experiencing the same religious tension in their communities, but their issues are not raised to a nationwide scale like the Park51 issue. If protesters were to take a step back and look at the issue at a more broad perspective, they would realize their opinions are based on stereotypes. To form a educated opinion on the Park51 debate, you must clear your mind of 9-11 stereotypes, because without doing that, your opinion will be like the majority of peoples in America. This article will aid to the opinion of readers because of the presentation of an example to a similar conflict in the country.