Naeem's Blog

What am I talking about? Just like Muslims the world over are demonized for the mistakes of the few, black athletes too have their black sheep who are overpublicized and overhyped, taking the rest down with them.

I couldn't help but read this article about ESPN's blatant misrepresentation of black athletes and think of the media's equally blatant misrepresentation of Muslims. The parallels are shockingly obvious. While the clear majority of black athletes conform to society's standards and are perfect law-abiding citizens, its the Pacman Jones' and the Randy Moss' that are headlines worthy. Worse yet, the times when black athletes exhibit heroic qualities - Stephon Marbury and Derrick Brooks are two examples profiled in the article - their accomplishments are glossed over and given scant coverage.

Sound familiar?

A quote from an interview with full-time activist, part-time NBA player Etan Thomas builds on my analogy with his reference to the demonization of the 'ENTIRE CULTURE of the NBA' eerily comparable to the indictment of the ENTIRE RELIGION of Islam:

"I see bench clearing brawls in baseball. I've seen them drop the bat, rush the pitcher, and the entire team spill onto the field throwing blows, but it's never blown up in the media the way it is when basketball players get into a fight. In hockey they were actually complaining that there wasn't as many fights as there used to be. But when something happens in basketball, the ENTIRE CULTURE of the NBA is demonized. Then, somehow, they bring hip hop into the discussion, which always seems to happen for some reason, and there is this big problem. And something needs to be done. We become labeled as thugs. That is something that really bothers me, but it is an unfortunate reality that is our present day society."

Can you see the similarities?

I especially like Exhibit E in the article, where the author highlights the usage of the Internet as the latest tool for xenophobic bigots 'to voice their true opinions'.

"Internet anonymity often empowers readers to break free from this "oppressive PC culture" to voice their true opinions on black men in a way that is completely distinct from conversations where white athletes mess up."

I can't begin to count how many sickening comments abusing our dear Prophet (saw) and misquoting the Quran I have read, and not just on typical Islamophobic websites. Indeed, their true colors are being exposed.

What this shows is that the sickness is in the hearts of the people, those feeding the media ratings as well as those commenting on the web, those unwilling to see beyond the superficiality of the news reports and the superficiality of their own selves.

Muslims will do no better to improve their lot by trying to change their beliefs than blacks would do by trying to change their skin color. The problem is not with us. The problem is with those trying to change us by projecting their insecurities onto us.

PS. This is reason #3,452 for boycotting ESPN.