In my article titled Death & Life is in the Power of the Tongue, I explored the media's negative propaganda and the unfounded hatred towards Palestinians. Today, I wish to broaden that discussion to encompass Muslims as a whole, while also recognizing the hate crimes committed against others. Recently, stories have emerged about Asians and Asian Americans being targeted and attacked. These individuals hail from various nationalities, and their experiences must not be overlooked. My intention is not to undermine the experiences of any group or victim of crime or hate—hate crimes, in general, are increasing, as they have been for millennia. For more insights, refer to my article titled One Nation.
I want to make it clear: We denounce any acts of killing, harming, rape, molestation, or oppression against any man, woman, or child that violate human decency. We reject all forms of rape and molestation, no matter who the victim is.
When we consider hate crimes, our attention usually turns to physical attacks or vandalism. However, the intimidation that often accompanies these acts is less frequently addressed. No individual—be it man, woman, or child—should have to endure living in fear, particularly in a nation that prides itself on being the land of the free. Nonetheless, threats and intimidation are daily realities for many. When people face intimidation, they justifiably fear for their physical safety, the safety of their property, or the well-being of their loved ones.
Hate crimes are on the rise, including those against Muslims, many of which remain unreported. We frequently hear about antisemitism and sympathize with those victims, but why are there so many double standards? We should oppose discrimination and hatred toward any race, ethnicity, or religion. This discussion reminds us of the Black Lives Matter movement. Saying Black Lives Matter doesn’t imply that other lives don’t matter—it means Black Lives Matter Too. In the same way, supporting Palestinians doesn’t equate to supporting terrorism; it means recognizing their humanity. Not every Palestinian or Muslim (whether Muslim, Christian, or of another faith) endorses violence.
In 2016, the number of reported hate crimes against religious groups continued to increase. There were 684 anti-Jewish hate crimes reported, along with 62 against Catholics and 15 against Protestants. These figures only reflect the cases that were reported; many more remain unreported. A 2017 Pew Research Center survey indicated that 75% of Muslims in America perceived "a lot" of discrimination against Muslims, a sentiment shared by 69% of the general public.
We should always respect a person’s First Amendment rights, but these rights have limits. We must support victims and condemn true radicalism, yet we should not seek the destruction or harm of any country or its people. While respecting others’ rights, we must avoid thinking in isolation—hate crimes affect more than just one group.
Before speaking or writing, it is crucial to research. For instance, the Department of Justice tracks hate crime statistics, which can be reviewed here: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics.
According to the DOJ, hate crimes are divided into six categories: Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry; Religion; Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity; Disability; and Gender. The largest category, at 59.1%, is based on race, ethnicity, and ancestry. Religion follows at 17.3%, closely followed by sexual orientation at 17.2%, with smaller percentages for gender identity, disability, and gender. (These statistics are from single-bias incidents reported in 2022.)
When analyzing the DOJ’s pie chart of the 10,299 known offenders in hate crimes, 51% were white, 21% were Black or African American, and 17.4% had an unknown race. Of the 7,671 offenders with reported ethnicity, 48.9% were not Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% were Hispanic or Latino, and 29.7% had unknown ethnicity. Furthermore, 80.6% of offenders were 18 years or older.
The statistics reveal that over half of all hate crimes are committed by white individuals. However, this does not imply that all white people are responsible for hate crimes, nor that they are inherently hateful. We must avoid judging an entire group based on the actions of some, even if they are numerous. Responsibility lies with the individual.
On Friday, April 19, 2024, Fox News reported the arrest of 108 anti-Israel protesters by the NYPD (with no mention of anti-Palestinian protesters). It’s important to be aware of one-sided narratives. On April 23, 2024, Fox News aired another biased argument focusing on Israel, overlooking Palestinians. A Yale student interviewed on the show mentioned that protestors "celebrated the October Massacre." Death is always tragic—focusing on certain deaths while ignoring others is even more so.
To further highlight media bias, I watched Fox News' Fox & Friends over several days. On April 22, 2024, the headline read, “Anti-Israel Protesters Assault Yale Student.” On April 27, 2024, it was, “Anti-Israel Protesters Overrun Campuses.” The theme continued on April 28, 2024, with “Hundreds of Anti-Israel Protesters Arrested” and “Anti-Israel Protesters Overrun College Campuses.” However, on May 1, 2024, the narrative slightly shifted to “Pro-Israel Protesters Clash with Pro-Palestinian Protesters.”
This selective reporting fuels the hate we need to work towards ending. When will we respect all life, regardless of race, religion, or orientation? Remember: "Whoever controls the narrative controls the people." Be cautious of listening to only one side of a story. Research, consider both sides, and never accept one person’s perspective as truth without investigation.
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