Miss Griddle Cakes: Someone Had to Say It!

It is not uncommon for a political campaign to become harsh and or insensitive, but usually the insensitive and harsh statement are solely directed toward candidates and their counter parts. During the present campaign season, I have realized a group which is not connected to either candidate, not contributing any funds to either campaign party or political organization but has found that they are being dragged through the political mud.

The most popular issue in the 2008 Presidential campaign has been that many people believe that Barack Obama is Muslim and that as an issue is something which turns people off. During this campaign it has been mentioned often as a negative factor for Obama’s campaign, but not once have I heard any anchor or correspondent on any form of media mention the ridiculous fear that most Americans had of Muslims. Nor do they mention how ridiculous it that Americans are turning Muslims into villains. It is ridiculous that most Americans are singling out Muslim Americans as the enemy. As the evil in our country and something we should fear. No one has once stood up for Muslims, anchors and correspondent just silently agreed and feed the ignorant fears that a majority of Americans have. When the issue comes up on whether Obama is a Muslim or not; there is no reason for anyone who is not a direct representative of the Obama campaign to reply “So what if he is a Muslim?!”

As correspondents to the world communities, these anchors and other representative should educate the ignorant masses, which come to them for information and to be educated about world views. They learn nothing when all they see and hear is what they already believed to be true. The world gains nothing with “yes men” as political anchors and correspondents.

It is important that we as citizen of the world realize that it should not be out of the norm to defend another group of people if they are being unfairly attacked by someone. Recently, I was saddened by McCain’s attempt to defend Barack Obama and the ridiculous claims of McCain supporters. A woman at a McCain rally said she did not trust Obama, because he was an Arab. McCain corrected the woman by saying, "He's a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]." What does that say about Arabs, McCain missed the opprotunity to defend that idea that most Americans have about Arabs. Instead he silently agreed that Arabs are definitely people to fear and not decent people or Americans. McCain could have pointed out to the woman, that it is not okay to be racist toward any group of people. Obama is not Arab but it is not okay to have haterd towards Arabs.

Or, is human decency to much to ask?