Equality in Democratic Global Country
The global conflict between Islam and the west is started from Palestine and Israel (conflict in the Middle East). This local conflict become global conflict because there are many interests involved. Things are getting more complicated when America come to interfere. Palestinian thought that USA take a side on Israel and giving more privileges to them. This escalates the hatred of Islamic world in general. The tragedy of September 11/2001 seems to be the peak of the conflict. As the result, the government of America increases its security status. Everybody come to America should be ispected and investigated in very detail way, especially those who has Islamic name, like Muhammad, Ahmad, Hasan, Umar, Abdul and so like. Those who have such kind of names, of course, are experiencing inconvenient treatment, just because of their personality. It also happened to American Muslim and their family.
This kind of stereotyping people is really a human right violation. People should be treated equally, despite of their religion, ethnic or races. As they pay same taxes like any other and fulfill their obligatory as citizen. This has been recognized in The Universal Declaration of human right, 1948 that covered a freedom of expression, freedom of religion , The right of property, and any other basic rights. This declaration come from a very long processes which is in the end produce human civilization for the time being and regarded as the highest humanity achievement. Violating the values of humanity means to draw back human civilization itself into pre historical era.
If the reason is for national security then all people should have the same treatment. Labeling all Muslims as the same is unreasonable. Islam is just like other religion with various ways of understanding. Some take hard way but the others are not. I suspect those of Muslim who choose peaceful way are in the vast majority. Stereotyping Muslim will not give any positive effect in making a better livelihood. Charles Cooley (1902) as quoted by Zastrouw (1999) explained his theory of “The Looking Glass Self Concept”.
“The looking glass says that people develop their self concept in term of how other people relate to them, as if other were a looking glass or mirror. For example, if a person receives respect from others and is praised for positive qualities, he or she is apt to feel good about him self or herself, will gradually develop positive sense of worth, will be
happier, and will seek responsible and socially acceptable ways to maintain the respect of others. Conversely, if a person commits a deviant act and then is shunned by others, viewed as different, and treated with disrespect, that person will develop a failure identity.”
According to Glasser (1972) as also quoted by Zastrouw said, “people with failures identities either withdraw from society, become emotionally disturbed , or express their discontent in delinquent and deviant actions.” So scientifically, there is no reason to stereotype people for any purposes. In fact, it makes things getting worst. Obviously, developing sense to respect each other is the best solution and eventually will keep our world civilized. [ ]
