Our explainer offers a few facts about Islamophobia and expresses solidarity with the #ThisMeansLove Campaign.
We believe that no person is illegal in a nation of immigrants, and our humanity must stand resiliently in the face of a growing fascist dictatorship.
ISLAMOPHOBIC RHETORIC: WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
US President Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric is yet another stymied effort to push forth his ambitious immigration policy.
Trump’s entire platform is a populist attempt to capitalise on the frustrations of America’s unemployment, racial divisions, and domestic and foreign policies, caused by previous administrations and escalated by his own.
Fortunately, it has been met with fierce resistance from demonstrators across the world, many of whom believe America is the product, not the victim, of immigration and should continue as so.
Underneath the rhetoric of Trump’s ban are a long list of contradictions, loopholes, and complete mistruths on which it is really based: America’s foreign policy of dominating the Middle East-North Africa region, controlling its resources, and humiliating its people.
BENEATH THE VEIL: A CLOSER LOOK AT ISLAMOPHOBIA
YOUGOV POLL FINDINGS
In America, Trump appears to be the de facto cause of the country’s rise in xenophobia.
However, looking deeper into the numbers, one will find that the American Heartlands—the conservative, white, working-class types from the Bible belt and Midwest—form the core of anti-Muslim Americana.
A recent YouGov poll determined that 55% of Americans had unfavourable opinions of Muslims, but even more disturbingly, around 70% have actually never associated with one.
On the other hand, this bears irrefutable proof that, in the American Heartlands, most childhood monsters and superstitions have profound, irreversible effects on the adult psyche.
Percentage of Americans who have an unfavourable opinion of Muslims.
HOSTILITY TOWARD ISLAM IN AMERICA
EXISTS ALONGSIDE A LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH MUSLIMS
The same YouGov poll also asked respondents the following questions:
Do you happen to work with anyone who is Muslim?
74% said NO
Do you happen to have any friends who are Muslim?
67% Said NO
Have you ever been inside a mosque?
87% Said NO
ANTI-MUSLIM HATE CRIMES
A Georgetown University report released in May similarly found that threats, intimidation and violence against Muslim Americans have surged over the course of the presidential election. Engy Abdelkader, the author of the report, believes that trend is linked to Trump’s political rise.
“Trump has seized on people’s fears and anxieties,” Abdelkader said.
“I think that has translated in a number of instances not just to hostility,
but acts of violence.”
Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric has caused a sharp rise in hate crimes
across the US, where 180 were reported between March 2015-2016.
45
Physical Assaults
12
Murders
56
Acts of Vandalism
IT’S A TICKING TIME BOMB
The irony of Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric is that the candidate who promises to be tough on terror may be making America not only less safe for American Muslims, but for all Americans.
#ThisMeansLove Campaign
At ALLRIOT, we strongly believe that our t-shirts are more than just a fashion statement; they’re also a great way to gauge public opinion and fire up some hearty conversation.
So, in light of Führer Trump’s disgraceful visa ban on Muslim countries, we’ve decided to do our own research on how people react towards Muslims, in the US, UK and elsewhere. Buckle in, this is going to get interesting.
We’re asking our customers, fans and followers to engage the public by wearing our “This Means Love” tee for a few days, particularly in crowded places such as workplaces, malls, concerts, and throngs of bustling, open-mouthed gawkers, etc.
Record your observations via a social media and use the hashtag #ThisMeansLove to proclaim your solidarity with peaceful Muslims around the World.
#ThisMeansLove Promise
We also pledge to donate 50% of all money raised to ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union.
(This campaign has expired, but you can still purchase the t-shirt here)
REFERENCES
- https://www.donaldjtrump.com/policies/immigration/?/positions/immigration-reform
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/trump_executive_order_refugee_ curbs.pdf
- http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/03/list-trumps-executive-orders.html
- http://europe.newsweek.com/where-do-terrorists-come-not-seven-countries-named-550581
- http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/04/13/460645/15-Saudi-hijackers-CIA-agents-/
- http://europe.newsweek.com/muslim-majority-countries-not-included-trump-travel-ban-550141
- http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/25/14383316/trump-muslim-ban-immigration-visas-terrorism-executive-order
- https://28pages.org/2016/08/08/former-bush-administration-official-saudi-ties-to-911-hidden-to-protect-iraq-war-narrative/https://today.yougov.com/news/2015/03/09/poll-results-islam/http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-04-15/collapse-petrodollar-oil-exporters-are-dumping-us-assets-record-pacehttps://www.ft.com/content/c04f96e0-c21e-11e6-9bca-2b93a6856354http://www.herald.co.zw/petrodollar-system-fuelling-us-sanctions-of-mass-destruction/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RC1Mepk_Sw&feature=youtu.behttps://theintercept.com/2016/05/05/hate-crimes-rise-along-with-donald-trumps-anti-muslim-rhetoric/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-hatecrime-idUSKBN13O2ED
Illustrations by ALLRIOT and Carlos Latuff.
