Letter To The Editor
Note: This letter was published in the Los Angeles Times on November 28, 2001
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/la-000094683nov28.storyAmerican Muslims Court Identity Politics
Your article about Islamic pressure organizations was thorough and well researched, and all the more frightening because of those qualities.
Muslims are regrettably following the trend toward gaining political power for their balkanized group rather than assimilating into American society. They want economic opportunities but despise the vital legal and cultural underpinnings of America. The Muslim message since Sept. 11 has been primarily one of victimhood -- largely overblown, considering the enormity of the act of war against the U.S. by Arab terrorists.
In addition, increasing Muslim influence in politics (the "demographic strategy" cited) should make women fear for hard-won civil rights. Attention to human rights issues is not exactly a Muslim value; ask fatwa target Salman Rushdie. Simply stated, the cultures of secular, democratic America and repressive, misogynist Islam are not compatible.
Brenda Walker
Berkeley