\u201c\u2026the danger inherent in an accusatory approach to anyone of any race, creed or color is that the victim will conclude that the society he is a part of is treating him unfairly. That stirs resentment, alienation and, possibly, antisocial conduct, a polite term that encompasses lawbreaking. When an entire ethnic or religious group becomes alienated, trouble ensues.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
But I take a different approach. \u201cProfile away,\u201d I dared Orthy. \u201cBut first, tell me where and how do you want to start your profile \ufffd based on looks, religion, country of origin, occupation, family name?\u201d<\/p>\n
I told him, let\u2019s assume a terrorist looks like a typical Hollywood terrorist \u2013 beard, robe, turban, dark hair and eyes \u2013 the works. The 9\/11 guys were clean-shaven and wore business casual. Turbans? Those are mostly worn by Sikhs, who are both non-Arab and non-Muslim. Dark hair and eyes? Muslims from Bosnia, Sweden, and (gasp) even America, have blonde hair and blue eyes.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s assume a terrorist is a Muslim. Well, 40% of American Muslims are black. You gonna tell Al Sharpton we\u2019re targeting blacks as potential terrorists? Good luck, pal.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s assume a terrorist is from Pakistan or Afghanistan. Well, Mr. I-can-spot-a-terrorist-a-mile-away, pardon my stereotypes, but can you tell me the difference in looks between someone from Pakistan and someone from India? Or, for that matter, Mexico? Are you going to stake out every 7-11 or taxi cab or doctor\u2019s office?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s assume a terrorist is an Arab. Last time I checked, most Arabs in this country are Christian. Just ask Danny Thomas, Doug Flutie, Ralph Nader, Spencer Abraham, Paul Anka, John Sununu, etc. <\/p>\n
Let\u2019s assume a terrorist has a Muslim-sounding name. Muhammad Ali? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Hakim Olajuwan? Barack Obama? Paula Abdul? Golly, that would explain a lot to Simon Cowell.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s assume a terrorist goes to the mosque. Now, I\u2019ve gone to mosques and have been active in the American Muslim community for more than 30 years. No, I don\u2019t speak Arabic fluently and I don\u2019t usually hang with those FOB, but I\u2019ve never met anyone who wanted to kill Americans or blow themselves up or have instant access to 72 virgins.<\/p>\n
The Muslims I\u2019ve met who go to the mosque in America are mostly mainstream: moderate, educated, kind, funny, generous, have jobs, families and kids in little league. Sure, some might have an accent or dress differently or wear a bit too much cologne, but so do a lot of people in Little Italy or on the subway or at the mall. Most mosque-going Muslims in America follow the Prophet\u2019s (PBUH) positive examples of activism, tolerance, philanthropy and bridge building, striving to make the world a better place.<\/p>\n
People who have extreme thoughts of rage or revenge \u2013 regardless of religion or ethnicity \u2013 live on the fringes of society. Just ask the families of Cho Seung-Hui or Dylan Klebold. Not exactly subscribers to PBS or holders of a 401(k) plan.<\/p>\n
So, while Orthy\u2019s mouth was still catching flies, I tell him what I think we should do. Ask anyone in law enforcement \u2013 the best way to catch criminals is to profile criminal behavior, not cast a net over an entire group. (Does Manzanar ring a bell?) Oh, and, by the way \u2013 most home-grown terrorists that were caught, both in the US and the UK, were turned in by someone in their own community.<\/p>\n
Now, as for which organization might cultivate the next terrorist. I don\u2019t want to jump to conclusions, but I wouldn\u2019t assume a mosque is the place. According to Jennifer McVeigh, her brother Tim wrote a letter to the American Legion saying that ATF agents \u201care a bunch of fascist tyrants\u201d before killing 168 people in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the worst terrorist attack on US soil before 9\/11.<\/p>\n
Profiling? Jumping to conclusions? Hmm \u2013 maybe Orthy is on to something. Quick! Get the FBI over to the nearest American Legion right away.<\/p>\n
<\/i><\/p>\n
Tarik Trad is a Muslim community activist based in Los Angeles, California.\n<\/p>\n
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