Perception Assignment #2- Camden Buchanan

Bambi was probably the most quoted movie by mother while i was growing up. Thumper's wise words were often used as a reminder, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." Yet the media has nothing but mean things to toss at the Muslim faith. A story of hate, of violence, of terrorism. All 1.6 billion of the Muslims are tossed in the the tainted tag portrayed by the American media. The young boy carries a sign inferring that we disregard that fact he is human, and will hate him because of the religion he chooses. The vehicle shot up during the San Bernardino attacks writes a story of defense against those that have penetrated our country. Trump, well he lumps just about everyone from the middle east into this category and publicly defames the billions. The Muslims have been given a badge by the media that limits and demeans billions because of the actions of a few. 

It is impossible to put one face, or action, or intention on a group that ranges in all demographics and psychographics. Sadly a couple bad acts have brought a bad name to an entire organization.  But how many of us personally know someone who is Muslim? Or who understands the doctrine taught by the faith? Not what the news has said, or your friend, or Trump, but know and personally are aquatinted with someone of the faith. They are so loving, and honestly, they don't accept the extremest as part of the Muslim faith. They recognize the violent and terroristic actions are radical. We have to realize that the Muslim faith is the second biggest religion in the world, it has become that because of the truth, love, and guidance it has given people.  Not because of the terror that Americans often associate with the religion. 

The fact is it is easy to point fingers and to find fault with people, but it doesn't make things right. Maybe at first glance we want to blame an organization for all the destruction we see around us. Especially when we are so detached, it is much easier to dehumanize those that we only know through the nightly news and the newspaper. But Thumper said it right, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." Americans need to seek to understand, to give one the benefit of the doubt, before placing all 1.6 billion into the same category as the extremists that do hate and cause terror.