This is What Fascism Looks Like

Echoes of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:12:27 -0600

By now, you have most likely heard about the tragic fire at a garment factory in Bangladesh. Sadly,...

imperfectwriting: I went to the mall, and a little girl called...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:02:57 -0500

I went to the mall, and a little girl called me a terrorist.

My name is Ela. I am seventeen years old. I am not Muslim, but my friend told me about her friend being discriminated against for wearing a hijab. So I decided to see the discrimination firsthand to get a better understanding of what Muslim women go through.

My friend and I pinned scarves around our heads, and then we went to the mall. Normally, vendors try to get us to buy things and ask us to sample a snack. Clerks usually ask us if we need help, tell us about sales, and smile at us. Not today. People, including vendors, clerks, and other shoppers, wouldn’t look at us. They didn’t talk to us. They acted like we didn’t exist. They didn’t want to be caught staring at us, so they didn’t look at all.

And then, in one store, a girl (who looked about four years old) asked her mom if my friend and I were terrorists. She wasn’t trying to be mean or anything. I don’t even think she could have grasped the idea of prejudice. However, her mother’s response is one I can never forgive or forget. The mother hushed her child, glared at me, and then took her daughter by the hand and led her out of the store.

All that because I put a scarf on my head. Just like that, a mother taught her little girl that being Muslim was evil. It didn’t matter that I was a nice person. All that mattered was that I looked different. That little girl may grow up and teach her children the same thing.

This experiment gave me a huge wakeup call. It lasted for only a few hours, so I can’t even begin to imagine how much prejudice Muslim girls go through every day. It reminded me of something that many people know but rarely remember: the women in hijabs are people, just like all those women out there who aren’t Muslim.

People of Tumblr, please help me spread this message. Treat Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Taoists, etc., exactly the way you want to be treated, regardless of what they’re wearing or not wearing, no exceptions. Reblog this. Tell your friends. I don’t know that the world will ever totally wipe out prejudice, but we can try, one blog at a time.

Obama death threat: cat impaled, burned alive next to Obama campaign sign

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:36:44 -0500

Obama death threat: cat impaled, burned alive next to Obama campaign sign: There are some seriously...

GOP Rep. Steve King Defends Dog Fighting

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:57:46 -0500

GOP Rep. Steve King Defends Dog Fighting: Here’s the dox on this low-life piece of...

In light of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s accusation of...

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:56:13 -0500

In light of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann’s accusation of Muslim Brotherhood infiltrating high levels of U.S. Government, this little bit of history.

Her Muslim witch hunt

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:15:07 -0500

Her Muslim witch hunt

Cookies for Breakfast: So a Girl Walks into a Comedy Club....

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:51:31 -0500

Cookies for Breakfast: So a Girl Walks into a Comedy Club....: breakfastcookie: This is something...

Books Banned in Arizona – Group ‘Librotraficante’ Fights Back

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:53:46 -0500

Books Banned in Arizona – Group ‘Librotraficante’ Fights Back

Revised Preamble to The United States Constitution (post-Citizens United)

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:36:38 -0500

We the People Corporations of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union Right-to-Work...

With video: Two female Michigan lawmakers silenced after vagina, abortion comments

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:33:20 -0500

With video: Two female Michigan lawmakers silenced after vagina, abortion comments:

Obama Lynched In Front Of Church By Koran Burning Pastor Terry Jones (VIDEO)

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:24:59 -0500

Obama Lynched In Front Of Church By Koran Burning Pastor Terry Jones (VIDEO)

Self defense or murder? Retired firefighter accused of killing teacher

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:13:39 -0500

Self defense or murder? Retired firefighter accused of killing teacher

National Review Writer: Conservatives Should ‘Beat’ Young People Who ‘Think Socialism Is Better Than Capitalism’

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:41:48 -0500

National Review Writer: Conservatives Should ‘Beat’ Young People Who ‘Think Socialism Is Better Than Capitalism’

GOP Congressional Spokesman: ‘Let’s Hurl Some Acid At Those Female Democratic Senators’

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:40:44 -0500

GOP Congressional Spokesman: ‘Let’s Hurl Some Acid At Those Female Democratic Senators’

Florida Governor Rick Scott Defends Voter Purge: We’re ‘Doing The Right Thing’

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:10:22 -0500

Florida Governor Rick Scott Defends Voter Purge: We’re ‘Doing The Right Thing’: UPDATE

Maryland Pastor Dennis Leatherman: 'My Flesh Kind Of Likes The Idea' Of Killing Gays

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:32:15 -0500

Maryland Pastor Dennis Leatherman: 'My Flesh Kind Of Likes The Idea' Of Killing Gays: More...

Voter Purges in Florida (Links to Stories)

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:26:26 -0500

There is an effort going on by Florida’s Republican Governor Rick Scott to “to identify...

Kansas Pastor Wants Government To Kill All The Gays (AUDIO)

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:07:00 -0500

Kansas Pastor Wants Government To Kill All The Gays (AUDIO): *FACEPALM* I’m just going to...

Bob McDonnell, GOP Gov., Wants Drones Policing Virginia Because They're Used 'On The Battlefield'

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:34:32 -0500

Bob McDonnell, GOP Gov., Wants Drones Policing Virginia Because They're Used 'On The Battlefield'

Anonymous Internet Commenters Are Pissing Off New York Politicians

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:32:03 -0500

Anonymous Internet Commenters Are Pissing Off New York Politicians: FTA: In what seems like a...