to be sick and tired of this racism?

[LifeForRent]

I am absolutely SICK AND TIRED of reading about Muslims this, Islam that.

I am SICK of reading from ignorant morons on Facebook "Send Muslims home".

AIBU to think that this is ridiculous, where would we send "Muslims" home too? Islam isn't a race/nationality it's a religion...

What on earth is with the hatred? Afghanistan haven't threatened Britain-and most people think that the Army is there to "protect" Britain...

AIBU to think that this is just a small percentage of ill educated, red top reading, morons?

Riven not nekkid (thankfully!) but a druid priest and priestess called the spirits of the earth, fire, water and wind, and we all had to drink beer from an animals horn.

It was outside, and there was a small stone altar. DH gave my nan a shock by telling her that was where they were going to sacrifice the chicken. Her face when she realised he was joking was a picture.

My nan (who was just like Catherine Tate's nan character) got a fit of the giggles, which set us all off

Eldritch I meant what is reported in the British press.

Over the last few days I have felt the tide is turning slightly, the reports on the Swedish bomber have given plenty of press coverage to moderate Muslims who challenged him and wouldn't agree with him - it proved he had real trouble finding sympathisers in the UK. I think this is much more useful that arguments like: "well, look how bad you are," "well, your group did this" all of which is divisive and unpleasant. There are areas where some of the general population need to better understand Islam and there are ways that some Muslim people could integrate more - unfortunately these issues, when they arise, are being used as weapons in a fight instead of conversation starters. Similarly, I think that the root of this divide should be allowed to be discussed without people jumping in assigning blame left, right and centre.

FWIW I don't really like Caucasians being bandied about as the aggressors. The most extreme and least apologetic Islamophobia I have come across in this country is from the Catholic Indian population. Not saying all Catholic Indian people, of course not, but to suggest it is just general ignorance against minorities isn't entirely accurate. Islam is currently used as a sort of common enemy (though it is looking like the coalition might do their bit for tolerance by stepping up to fill this role) and to suppose allies where there are none could make this worse. There are some people of other ethnic minorities who feel they are suffering because the Muslim population want such special treatment and they are being grouped in with them.

What to do about this - I'm not sure but I do think a secular society is the first step. I guess I am bored of the CofE having something special (schools, prayer rooms in hospitals etc), other religions wanting the same - some getting it, others shouting discrimination Yada yada - who does this really please? As far as I can see just the tabloids and EDL.

Good point Runner. The EDL's chief spokes-twat is a Sikh.

I agree with Eldritch - in the 1930s aged 19-20 my grandad was a young communist paid to beat up young blackshirts (who were saying similar crap about jews then as the EDL do about muslims now.)

I can see a clear comparison with N Ireland in the 70's/80's. Then anyone in England with a N Ireland accent was a terrorist and had to put up with some pretty vile generalisations and personal abuse.
'Luckily' I could just keep my head down and if I didn't open my mouth no-one knew, my heart goes out to the majority of Muslims in this country who don't have that option.

Sadly bad news sells (no-one ever wanted to hear about the good things going on in N Ireland then) and as usual its mostly the disaffected young men on both sides who are the most extreme.

I want a tolerant society where people can accept and rejoice in each others differences - my Mum instilled that into us in 70's N Ireland and I will do my damnest to do the same to my DC in sunny S Beds (swapping one hotbed of terrorism for another according to the media )

And also, feetheart, bogeymen never go out of fashion. Times are bad, let's find someone to hate.

I too can't believe the rampant racism apparent on sites like fb when something negative about Muslims/islam is mentioned. So much so, that in the past I've put on my own status, that people should feel free to delete me if they want to put on thinly veiled racist posts.

I think the media has a lot to answer for personally, with people swallowing stories about Muslim terrorists everywhere, and the 'islamification' (sp) of Britain. Add to the mix the current 'heroes' worship, which makes it controversial to have much of an opinion on troops fighting 'for our freedom' in others countries or why 90% of the casualtys happen to be civilians. It seems obvious to me who's freedoms are being stamped on.

I'm sick of the racism too

YANBU. It makes me cringe to see people who put these ridiculous things on their Facebook status. Ill informed, ignorant, I could go on. Just 'de-friend' and ignore.

I have about 60 friends on facebook and never seen any racist or hateful comments anywhere - I'm feeling a bit left out!

Ugh it's just those shite 'copy and paste' status updates about burning the poppy etc, 'our soldiers' blah blah.

"Would anyone define the EDL as 'terrorist'?"

Not aware that they have blown up any tube trains or buses lately .

SOrry ladies, been away, and just caught up.

Hollybooboo:
"Life for Rent - whilst Afghanistan itself hasn't threatened Britain it is a base for the terrorists that threatened Britain and the rest of the world. The Taliban gave safe haven to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, which allowed terrorists to plan and carry out terrorist attacks around the world, including the atrocities of September 11.

So actually they are there to protect Britain (and the rest of the World) as part of a coalition of Nations. No?"

Actually no. The war isn't happening to "protect" Britain. It is happening for 2 reasons. THe first, for America to punish the Al Q for September 11th (an inside job, we all know that) and the second, to remove the Taliban (well the Taliban rebels-the offspring of the Taliban) from Afghanistan, to really enlighten women and the sanctions that have been put on them. The terrorists haven't threatened Britain, the bombs that went off in London were by British Muslims. We are in Afghanistan as America's puppets, not to protect Britain from "threats".

Asteria- a Muslim accent! Are you SERIOUS?!

Sorry I missed "Classy"Diva's post. Dammit!

Riven In response to the "homogenous" group er response. I agree totally. It's like 80% of British white people class themselves as Christians (Catholics included). Yet few attend church, few abstain from getting drunk/taking drugs/living "in sin" etc etc. Same goes for Muslims. My father is from North Africa and while we don't speak anymore, I have many friends from there, one who eats pork quite happily, until he is in the presence of his family and close Muslim friends. Makes you wonder what the Vicar is up to all week eh?!

MumsM Do you need to have bombed somewhere to be labelled as a terrorist? I don't recall Osama Bin L flying a plane into the towers...?

I think it's more to do with the organisation and what it promotes, and to what extent action is taken as to whether or not it can be labelled as terrorism.

And while there are some terrible acts done by "Muslims" in the name of Islam, let us not forget Northern Island, the Crusaders, and of course all the weird American "Christians" who shoot abortion doctors...as well as that bizarre family (I shan't post the link for promotion but you may have seen them on TV several times, protesting at the bringing home of American soldiers bodies...and they focus their religion on war and homosexuality...).