For everyone who is too good a person to read The Primary Source, here is an update. The Source published a horrible article on April 11, full of its usual bashing and bigotry. It was on the last page in a "Special section" for Islamic Awareness week. By now, after the Source's actions this year, ignorance is expected, but this page takes it to a whole new level.
In short, it tears into the Islamic culture and religion without even a semblance of humor, by using a few extremist examples to portray Muslims as a violent, sadistic, war-mongering, sub-human population. It's the equivalent of using the Spanish Inquisition to characterize Christians all over the world. There is, of course, no author attribute to this cowardly and uncalled-for strike.
I realize that it is likely that the Source has already disgraced itself to the extent that few people will actually read this article. However, I feel that such a malicious strike should not be allowed to go unpunished and unrecognized for the hurt it creates. Hence this Viewpoint.
I have two major issues here. The first is, of course, the article. The representation of the many by a few extreme examples is always bad form. The fact that these examples are taken grossly out of context, both in terms of the political climate and the issue at hand, is both exasperating for the reader, who is struggling to decipher truth from the drivel, and bad journalism on the writer's part.
The article seems to almost be purposely offensive in order to excite condemnation, presumably aiming for a second Christmas Carol incident. This attempt at attention, putting aside its potential consequences for the University (as the Source is a TCU funded organization) speaks for itself. The Source is not what it claims to be. A conservative journal would be fine, perhaps even enjoyable, but the Source does nothing but insult and gripe. I, personally, have no desire to have Tufts represented by this image, although apparently those publishing the Source beg to disagree.
However, even if the Source feels a need to not be a forum for lobbying insults at minority groups, why print this article? A war is enough for most people. Current events have put the American Muslim population at a disadvantage as it is. An article such as this is like beating up Tiny Tim.
This brings me to my second problem: our reaction. I have no doubt that this will go largely unnoticed, mostly due to low readership, as previously mentioned. This is, of course, nobody's fault.
But the fact still remains that the article was written and there will be no consequences. Imagine if, instead of bashing Muslims, the Primary Source went after the African American community again.
The outcry would be enormous. CNN would be here. The administration would be preparing official statements, while the medical school hurried to distance itself from us.
But, right now, none of this is happening. Most people don't even know that the article exists. What is wrong with a community that allows this to happen?
Just because a minority is smaller, that does not mean that it is any less equal. Just because we are at war, that does not mean we have to listen to the propaganda thrown at us. Just because the Source has been racist before, that does not mean that we can ignore them this time. So, now you know. The question is: what are you going to do about it?
