Muslim candidates running in record numbers face backlash

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

From Congress to state legislatures and school boards, Muslim Americans spurred to action by the anti-Muslim policies and rhetoric of President Donald Trump and his supporters are running for elected offices in numbers not seen since before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, say Muslim groups and political observers...…

Still, the path to victory can be tougher for a Muslim American. Some promising campaigns already have fizzled out while many more face strong anti-Muslim backlash.

To read more:

https://religionnews.com/2018/07/15/muslim-candidates-running-in-record-numbers-face-backlash/

Islamophobia is a persistent hatred.

[vi5]

1. There's a thread right here on DU....

....where someone is claiming that one of the candidates running in the MI governor primary shouldn't be running for that office against another Democrat in the primary because Michigan is too racist.

[guillaumeb]

2. "Too racist"?

As opposed to just racist enough?

Would you link to the thread?

[vi5]

3. Here you go...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10883967

You'll have to scroll through the comments to find it.

[guillaumeb]

4. Thank you. eom

[trotsky]

5. Do you suppose it's atheists generating this backlash? n/t

[guillaumeb]

6. Why would you ask?

Given that atheists comprise a relatively small part of the population, the many Islamophobic theists need no help from the atheistic Islamophobes.

[Major Nikon]

8. Good point

There’s far more atheists in the US vs Muslims, yet there’s 2 Muslim members of congress and zero atheists. So it’s not hard to figure out where the bigotry comes from.

[trotsky]

9. I think we benefit from understanding where it's coming from.

Maybe you don't think so?

[gtar100]

7. Oh those pesky little bigots. Haven't they read the Constitution, Article VI...

...but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

I imagine we are losing out on some good leadership because people in general...republicans specifically...do exactly what the Constitution says not to do. Technically, it's the government that is bound by the Constitution, not the people. But they ought to take a hint. Judging people based on their religion alone is very short-sighted.

[guillaumeb]

10. Good point.

But many "originalists" read the Constitution as if they alone perceive the original intent.