What Does The Civil Right Movement Signify For American Muslims?
Fifty years ago from today, when we think of the people, who fought for freedom and equality from domination and discriminatory behavior, we imagine the great leaders successfully fulfilling their endeavors, which we still aim to accomplish. Books about the civil rights movements of many eras teach us that with the help of a combined struggle for justice and human rights, one can achieve the unachievable, but can this statement be implemented in the current situations? The recent unfortunate circumstances are shared by people of all religions, color and even Muslims. According to the books on social justice, cries for equality, freedom and unity have been echoed in America since 1960. Unfortunately, the situations have remained the same in Sudan, Palestine, and Makkah during the Prophet’s (S) time. Therefore, it is important to unite the rest of America in the memory of those who had put their struggles for a great cause, not only for Muslims and Americans but for the sake of humanity. Those leaders are Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and many others who gave voice to the endless struggle and endeavors. And let’s not forget the Black Muslim people who also struggled and fought alongside them in the great Civil Rights Movement.
Many books about civil rights let the readers acknowledge these leaders’ struggles and challenges. One such book that has presented a perfect epitome of civil rights and social justice is The Muslim American: Fight For Social Justice by author Bill Chambers. Bill has incorporated many revolutionary stories of the Muslim American struggles for social justice from the Civil Rights period to the Black Lives Matter movement. A must-read book!
The Ongoing Fights of Muslims for Civil Rights in America
To this day, if we take a closer look at a newspaper, listen to the daily bulletin carefully, or attentively hear the voices on the streets. We will likely discover the present time for American Muslims is distressingly similar to other aspects of discrimination. In the previous year, vandalism, hate speech, and attacks were aimed against Muslims merely based on racism. In many countries, the situations kept escalating to the worst; a Muslim taxi-cab driver got stabbed, A Muslim construction worker was beaten till he went into a coma and a Muslim woman wearing a hijab faced sexual harassment. And a mosque in Florida got bombed, and sadly the list is infinite.
Best books about social justice have stated that Muslims have been feared in America even by many political leaders, and this hasn’t always been inconspicuous. Some known examples include the chairman of the House Defense Committee from Nassau County, Peter King, Republican House Representative and previous New York City mayor Edward Koch. They willingly stated a suspicious and vigilant sentiment toward every Muslim living in America. They even started public hearings to talk about the danger and threats that Muslims have posed to America. But, unfortunately, these situations haven’t been only limited to the USA. There is ferocity, harassment, and political oppression worldwide. If we think about it, there hasn’t been a single time of respect and feelings of reflection for Muslims. And these facts are completely overlooked that Muslims have been facing the same struggles as African Americans.
American Muslims Need To Rise Their Voice against These Treacherous Acts
It is high time that Muslims get respect and have their civil rights movement, even though the civil rights campaign of the 60s was not wholly a success in America. Indeed, the world is owed to yet another movement for social justice. However, in the previous American civil rights movement, it wasn’t a typical crusade for the troubled community to depict people the true bases and values as human beings connect. Unfortunately, some Muslims are so terrified or unresponsive that they willingly drift away from these campaigns and throw away their Muslim personality to avoid persecution or harassment instead of standing up and requesting fair treatment, just coverage and respect. Currently, some Muslims do not wish to speak out about violence. And harassment they encounter against themselves or others in their societies. Because they are merely afraid of more deportation and violence. Or maybe they don’t need the media publicity to shadow their families.
