We will start off with this clip of The Daily Show. Focus particularly on the last few minutes, when talking about the Imam Raulf. Notice the incredible framing of what the Imam said. An extremely reasonable man, he answered all the questions honestly and completely. But instead of actually covering the event, Fox News delves into the Truthiness of the issue. They see the "veiled threat" behind the moderate attitude of the Imam. As Jon Stewart points out, if this had been a politician, or a christian religion, it would have been a non-issue. But since it came from a Muslim, it was a threat. This is framing the entirety of the Muslim population in a negative light, and is but one example of many. We will look at a few more of these examples, and provide information and statistics to find out if this negative framing is deserved.
Team Member Name: Bridger Bullock
Publication: The St. Louis Post
Date: 3/9/2011
Cartoonist: RJ Matson
Cartoonist: RJ Matson
U.S./International
Title of cartoon: Homegrown Terrorist
Title of cartoon: Homegrown Terrorist
Cartoon#
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
In this cartoon, we see a man looking into a pair of binoculars representing Muslim Terrorists and Homegrown Terrorists. However the cartoon is showing that, regardless of the fact that there are homegrown terrorists, the media generally only focuses on Muslims as terrorists. The man is focusing so much on Muslims that he does not even see the Homegrown Terrorists.
Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues
2) challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
Tone of the cartoon:
1) positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues
2) challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
The “reality” is that the media, and Americans in general, focus on Muslims as being the main terrorists of our country. The facts however, show that Muslims are not the main cause of terrorism here in the United States.
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| http://www.loonwatch.com/2010/ |
The graph from the FBI shows that only six percent of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil from 1980-2005 were by Muslims. This is in direct opposition to the perception of most U.S. citizens, largely due to the framing of Muslims in a negative light cultivating a society of fear and hate. Even reputable news organizations take part in this farce. CBS News Online came out with a “statistic” with the headline “26% Of Young U.S. Muslims Ok Bombs." Also, USA Today came out with a poll that stated: “1 in 4 Younger U.S. Muslims Support Suicide Bombings”. From these two “stats” alone, how are young U.S. Muslims being portrayed here? It seems very clear that a quarter of Muslims support suicide bombing attacks. Just as director of the Foundation for Arab American leadership Hussein Ibish said, “It suggests there is an appetite for negativity about U.S. Muslims in the American media.” By the way, while Hussein Ibish was being interviewed, the words “Supporting Terror?” were on the bottom of the screen. What does that lead us to believe about the interviewee? How is she being portrayed? Clearly, she is being portrayed as supporting terrorism. Does that attract viewers? Yes. But are the facts true and fair? Or are the words and statistics framed to make us think a certain way?
Let’s take a look at the facts. As mentioned earlier, the media has really used framing to portray U.S. Muslims as supporters of terrorist attacks. But, when this poll was being taken, what was the question being asked and in what context?
In the poll, the main question asked was: Is suicide bombing justified? Of those questioned,1% said that suicide bombings against civilian targets are often justified to defend Islam. Another 7% said suicide bombings are sometimes justified in these circumstances; that is nowhere near ¼.
The question, “Is suicide bombing justified?” was not made clear. It should have been more specific. Viewers may assume from the poll that those interviewed were talking about suicide bombings in the U.S. This is not true. Ibish said, “I can almost guarantee that the overwhelming majority who were asked the suicide-bombing question were thinking about Palestine—not Iraq or America”. Later, Ibish went on to say, “They’re not willing to say it’s never OK because they think Palestinians have no other options. They’re wrong, but that’s what they think”. Muslims were responding to the question correctly. They were applying it to the whole world, not just the U.S. However, viewers of the poll seldom understand that. Even so, the statistic stating that ¼ of young U.S. Muslims support bombings is not correct. Framing was used to portray Muslims as people who support terrorism.
Team Member Name: Bridger Bullock
Publication: Tri-City Voice/Everyday Citizen
Team Member Name: Bridger Bullock
Publication: Tri-City Voice/Everyday Citizen
Date: 4/12/2011
Cartoonist: Angelo Lopez
Cartoonist: Angelo Lopez
U.S./International
Title of cartoon: The FBI and the Muslim American Community
Title of cartoon: The FBI and the Muslim American Community
Cartoon#
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
In this cartoon, the FBI is following a Muslim Family. Painfully obvious, yet telling the family to pretend they aren't there. Even the cat is with the FBI.
Tone of the cartoon:
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
The FBI follows Muslims. Why? Because they are Muslims. You can see that the Muslim family in this cartoon is perfectly normal. The Father’s shirt even has an American flag on it. But even though they are perfectly normal, just like the majority of Muslims, the FBI has a closer watch on them.
In 2004, FBI Agent Bill Shute invented the idea that if you collected arrest data from court records and local police and put it into Microsoft mapping software, you could target specific geographic areas to find people who could give important information to help solve cases. It was a success. Then, the FBI’s counter-terrorism branch came into the picture. The program eventually formed into an effort known as “geo-mapping” — “a method to track Muslim communities, even when there’s no suspicion that a crime is being committed”. Find more information on the program here.
In 2004, FBI Agent Bill Shute invented the idea that if you collected arrest data from court records and local police and put it into Microsoft mapping software, you could target specific geographic areas to find people who could give important information to help solve cases. It was a success. Then, the FBI’s counter-terrorism branch came into the picture. The program eventually formed into an effort known as “geo-mapping” — “a method to track Muslim communities, even when there’s no suspicion that a crime is being committed”. Find more information on the program here.
This is but one of many steps being taken. Whether "simple" racial profiling, or outright surveillance, Muslims in our communities are subjected to higher scrutiny than other members of the populace. This is unfair, and an invasion of privacy.
"When a person sacrifices liberty for security, they deserve neither" - Benjamin Franklin
Team Member Name: Bridger Bullock
Publication:Tr-City Voice/Everyday Citizen
Date:9/8/2010
Cartoonist:Angelo Lopez
Cartoonist:Angelo Lopez
U.S./International
Title of cartoon: Radical Islam and Islamophobia
Title of cartoon: Radical Islam and Islamophobia
Cartoon#
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
The Radical Muslims are kicking Moderate Muslims out of their country. Then, Americans kick Muslims out of the United States because of their different beliefs (even though we believe in freedom of religion).
Tone of the cartoon:
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues (circle answer)
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
The truth is that Muslims in the United States are being discriminated from The Middle-east and also from America. The reason why many come here is because of the freedom we have. Whats ironic here is that the vast majority of Muslims in the United States subscribe to many of the same christian principles of the people who are persecuting them. They share similar ideas of morality, charity, and peace. In fact, Muslims are required to donate 2.5 percent of their money to charity every year. We learn from The Tri-State Muslim that The Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ) donated $10,000 to the Trenton Soup Kitchen, $10,000 to the South Brunswick Elementary School, $1,000 to South Brunswick Food Pantry, and $1,000 to South Brunswick Women’s committee. These are wonderful acts of charity that any Judeo-Christian religion would be proud of. And yet, moderate Muslims can't find a home, either in the Middle East, or the United States, the home of the free.
Team Member Name: Bridger Bullock
Publication: Philadelphia Daily News
Date: 7/27/2011
Cartoonist: Singe Wilkinson
Cartoonist: Singe Wilkinson
U.S./International
Title of cartoon: (no title)
Title of cartoon: (no title)
Cartoon#
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
A Norwegian Terrorist, Anders Behring Breivik, is looking in the mirror, seeing himself as a Muslim Terrorist.
Tone of the cartoon:
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues (circle answer)
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
The fact that the Norway Terrorist sees himself as a Muslim Suicide Bomber is exactly how media initially told the story. Even though Muslims did not participate in the terrorist attacks in Norway in July of 2011, the media assumed that the terror attacks were coming from Muslims. The media’s first reaction to a terrorist attack was to blame The Muslims. Also, notice that the Norway Terrorist is grinning. Perhaps he realizes that everybody will blame Muslims for his terrorist attacks instead of him. In the beginning, he was right.
On July 22, 2011, at least 87 people in Norway were killed by a gunman. The majority of the deaths took place at a youth camp. Earlier that day, seven people had been killed in Oslo by a car bomb explosion. So, who is to blame for all of these tragedies? After investigation, the truth came out. It was Anders Behring Breivik, an old Norwegian national. However, who did the media immediately blame before getting the facts? Muslims. That’s right, several mainstream media outlets had already blamed Muslims as the culprits for the terrorist attacks in Norway. Just as was mentioned, when the truth came out, we find that it was a non-Muslim that was responsible for the terrorist attacks. To name just a few, Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post, CNN contributor Erick Erickson, and BigPeace.com, a website from Andrew Breibart readily accused Muslims as the terrorists. Breibart’s website stated that Norway’s “big Muslim problem” had “just blown up in its face.” Below is a list of a sample of headlines you can find here, that some mainstream news outlets proclaimed regarding who is to blame regarding the attacks in Norway.
CNN: "Many Of Those On The Extremist Fringes Believe Attack Was Revenge For Bin Laden's Death."
CNN: "Norway Has Been In Al Qaeda's Crosshairs," ignoring other explanations for attack.
Washington Post: "Speculation" that "Kurdish Militant Group" was responsible for attack.
Fox: "It Sure Looks Like Islamic Terrorism."
WSJ: "The Work Of Islamists."
For more information regarding the different preconceptions on the terrorist attacks, visithttp://mediamatters.org/research/
Visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8656143/Norway-At-least-87-killed-in-terror-attacks.html for more information on the Norwegian Terrorist
On July 22, 2011, at least 87 people in Norway were killed by a gunman. The majority of the deaths took place at a youth camp. Earlier that day, seven people had been killed in Oslo by a car bomb explosion. So, who is to blame for all of these tragedies? After investigation, the truth came out. It was Anders Behring Breivik, an old Norwegian national. However, who did the media immediately blame before getting the facts? Muslims. That’s right, several mainstream media outlets had already blamed Muslims as the culprits for the terrorist attacks in Norway. Just as was mentioned, when the truth came out, we find that it was a non-Muslim that was responsible for the terrorist attacks. To name just a few, Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post, CNN contributor Erick Erickson, and BigPeace.com, a website from Andrew Breibart readily accused Muslims as the terrorists. Breibart’s website stated that Norway’s “big Muslim problem” had “just blown up in its face.” Below is a list of a sample of headlines you can find here, that some mainstream news outlets proclaimed regarding who is to blame regarding the attacks in Norway.
CNN: "Many Of Those On The Extremist Fringes Believe Attack Was Revenge For Bin Laden's Death."
CNN: "Norway Has Been In Al Qaeda's Crosshairs," ignoring other explanations for attack.
Washington Post: "Speculation" that "Kurdish Militant Group" was responsible for attack.
Fox: "It Sure Looks Like Islamic Terrorism."
WSJ: "The Work Of Islamists."
For more information regarding the different preconceptions on the terrorist attacks, visithttp://mediamatters.org/research/
Visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8656143/Norway-At-least-87-killed-in-terror-attacks.html for more information on the Norwegian Terrorist
Our next cartoon can be found at the following link. We were unable to procure a copy for direct display.
Publication: AJC Opinion
Date: 8/17/2010
Cartoonist: Mike Luckovich
Cartoonist: Mike Luckovich
U.S./International
Title of cartoon: MOSQUE! Most Summer’s it’s “Shark”
Title of cartoon: MOSQUE! Most Summer’s it’s “Shark”
Cartoon#____
What action is taking place in the cartoon?
People are yelling “mosque” in fear in New York near ground zero.
Tone of the cartoon:
Tone of the cartoon:
1) Positive or negative framing of people of color and/or diversity issues (circle answer)
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
2) Challenges or reinforces racist attitudes
What “reality” is constructed/framed about racial minorities and/or diversity issues?
The elephant in the cartoon represents Republicans. Many Republicans do not support putting a mosque near ground zero.
No mosque? How about Strip Clubs!?
Four percent of Republican respondents to the survey said they support building a mosque two blocks from the site of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers of 9/11, 21 percent said they would be okay with building a strip club. This survey was taken by the Democratic-affiliated firm Public Policy Polling. What about Democrats? Well, 49 Percent of the Democrats said they supported the mosque and 33 percent said they supported the strip club. 34 percent of Independents said they supported the mosque, and 28 percent said they supported the strip club. Ibrahim Hooper, spokesperson for Council on American-Islamic
Relations explained the meaning of these statistics well."This shows the extent and impact of the recent rise in anti-Islam rhetoric in our society that people would rather have some kind of establishment perpetuating immoral behavior over a house of worship [run] by people who are trying to promote morality and ethics and righteous behavior," For more information, please visit this site.
Conclusion
After extensive research and review, we have determined that the portrayal of Muslims in the media is entirely unjustified. Muslims are among the first to be blamed for acts of terror, as seen by media portrayal of the attacks in Oslo, regardless of the facts. Namely that only 6% of terrorist acts are related to Muslim extremists. This has lead to wide spread fear and misunderstanding of the tenants of Islam, and mistreatment of the members of the religion. Whether the mistreatment comes in the form of bullying at school, or the dubious constitutionality of the FBI's geo-mapping practices, Muslims are getting a bad rap, and much of the blame lies with media. Take one look at the below cartoon. We just finished watching Imam Raulf state that they condemn all those who practice terrorism. But the message of the cartoon below is completely the opposite, and utterly false. This cartoon, and other media like it, are supporting a culture of anger and intolerance with faulty information and poorly thought out opinions. It must stop.
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