America and Muslims - we love them

I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day who was as upset as any of us over the shootings committed by Maj. Nidal Hasan. My friend was very upset about the shooting, and like many he took out his frustration by cursing all Muslims. Which I was quick to correct.

I remember this conversation because it has just been released today that NBA great Karem Abdul Jabbar has a rare form of leukemia. The news is shocking and I wish him the best. But at the same time I want to use this as an opportunity to remind some of us that America has never had a problem with Muslims or Islam - just fanatics.

The history of Muslims in America, like elsewhere in the world is comprised of many versions of truth. Some have always had a fear of the religion. Some have never understood it. Some haven't a clue what it is about. And up until 9/11 few people cared.

But there have been Muslims around us, and praised by us, long before there was a Osama Bin Laden.

Perhaps the most famous is the greatest boxer to have lived, and arguably the greatest athlete of the 20th Century. He is also without question one of the best known celebrities of the world. His name is Muhammad Ali.

Notice that when I mention his name how many didn't realize he is a devout Muslim. That he has long ago converted and gave up his given name Cassius Clay. That over the years of cartoons, tv shows, commercials and movies about his life, there was no problem about his religion. Of course there were issues when he converted, and refused to go to Viet Nam. But I think the issue then was the war and not his religious reasons to object.

Do we think of Muhammad Ali when we think of Maj. Hasan?

There is Karem Abdul Jabbar. A force in the NBA, a record breaker and maker. A celebrity that has endured for decades. A man that any basketball fan can place anywhere. Hell even those that know almost nothing about basketball know him from his many commercials, and even a few movies.

Is he what people think of when they think of Osama Bin Laden? Or Muslims?

Stepping away from sports, how about Dave Chappelle. He has made millions laugh out loud. He had one of the most popular comedy shows on television, ever. He broke DVD sales records that Seinfeld wishes he could have had.

Even after his decision to give up the wealth that Comedy Central was offering for his integrity, he has remained a celebrity on the A-list. He continues to make people laugh. And he has been a Muslim while doing all of that.

Does knowing he is a Muslim make him less funny? Or un-American?

There are many more examples. Some famous, some live next door to you right now. But they are all Americans. They are all people we know, and work with, and get cancer or get old. They are regular people.

I feel no less compassion, nor more, for Karem Abdul Jabbar and his battle with cancer because of his religious faith. And anyone that does allow his religion to affect their views is a lowly person indeed.

Are there fanatics that hate America, or parts of it, and are Muslim? Indeed. Just as there are Christian fanatics that kill abortion doctors, or just insane people that kill others like at Columbine. But I don't see people angry at Christians or White teens because of the actions of a few psychos.

I look forward to hearing that Maj. Hasan will receive death by firing squad for what he has done, unless he is proven innocent which I highly doubt. But that in no way is a reflection on how we should feel about all Muslims.

Its something that some of us need to remember.

Why protest D L Hughley - 6.19.2007.1

Free Speech. African Americans. Comedy. Each of these are parts of the United States and the world at large. Take any one of these elements away from America and you may not have a nation today, even if you did it would not be nearly as grand, powerful or free. I feel this is a fact, and there is no questioning it.

Yet, when all 3 are combined the outcome can either be extraordinary or devastating. On the positive side is Mr. Bill Cosby, Mr. Richard Pryor, Mr. Dave Chappelle, Mr. Redd Foxx, Mr. Jaime Foxx, Mr. Eddie Murphy and many others throughout the decades. There is no question that each of these men, and women as well let’s remember, have helped advance Civil Rights, helped pave the path that every Black person in America walks today, and an integral part of forging the path the youth and unborn will be walking tomorrow. Such is the power of these combined forces.


On the other end can be seen other figures. Some have been influential others just known by the populace. The were centuries where Black Americans were considered the butt of jokes, performers like Al Jolsen using the right of free speech to demean and hold back millions. While much of that kind of action lives only in the past it still has not left the nation yet. In the 21st century, nearly 500 years after the first Africans were forcibly taken to America, after Civil Rights and riots, after having African American Secretaries of State and while we have a viable candidate that may become President of the United States, we have men like Mr. Don Imus that used the right of free speech that Blacks like the Tuskegee Airmen died to protect to attack innocent, unsuspecting, private African American college students under the guise of comedy.

While these are the extremes, the expanse betwixt is vast and mired in shadows and grayscale. And this is where Mr. D.L. Hughley falls. I mention him because of the recent protest that is being made over his remarks made on the Jay Leno Show about the Rutger’s Women’s Basketball team. Part of the comments made by Pastor Kyev Tatum of Servant House Baptist Church includes

“Imus’s comment was insulting and so was DL Hughley’s. He said it’s time to stop all black performers from such vile attacks - starting with DL. ‘It’s not only that comment,’ Pastor stop all black performers from such vile attacks - starting with DL. ‘It’s not only that comment,’ Pastor Tatum said. ‘He has a history of demeaning our community in such a way that it’s not funny anymore.’ Tatum said. ‘He has a history of demeaning our community in such a way that it’s not funny anymore.’”

Let me mention that I have heard some of the comedy of Mr. Hughley, and I’m not a great fan. He is funny at points, but it’s not really my cup of tea. His television show didn’t hold appeal for me, though friends of mine loved it. His late night show had some moments but overall did not grab me. Essentially I find him a middle of the road comedian, he hits and misses about evenly for me.

Continued in Part 2...