Obama, Muslims, headscarves and hypocrisy
Sen. Barack Obama has been locked in endless combat with a viral rumor that he's Muslim. His profession of devout Christianity has never quite put that story to rest.
That said, this doesn't excuse the behavior of two Obama volunteers, who refused to let two women wearing headscarves into a campaign photo-op. From Politico:
Building a human backdrop to a political candidate, a set of faces to appear on television and in photographs, is always a delicate exercise in demographics and political correctness. Advance staffers typically pick supporters out of a crowd to reflect the candidate's message. ...
In Detroit on Monday, the two different Obama volunteers -- in separate incidents -- made it clear that headscarves wouldn't be in the picture. The volunteers gave different explanations for excluding the hijabs, one bluntly political and the other less clear.
The campaign has since apologized to the two women. Still, it's indicative of how, even in a campaign supposedly built around unity and inclusiveness, anti-Muslim sentiment creeps in. As Politico's Ben Allen points out:
The incidents in Michigan, which has one of the largest Arab and Muslim populations in the country, also highlight an aspect of his campaign that sometimes rubs Muslims the wrong way: The candidate has vigorously denied a false, viral rumor that he himself is Muslim. But the denials at times seem to imply to some that there is something wrong with the faith, though Obama occasionally adds that he means no disrespect to Islam.
Occasionally? That's good to know. Still, anyone willing to bet those women will be offered prime seating at the next Obama event? Didn't think so.
Time to put yourself in those volunteers' shoes:
*Photo: Paul Sancya / Associated Press
A new kind of politician my butt.
Posted by: Andrew Austin | June 18, 2008 at 07:15 PM
The problem we have is that if Sen. Obama appears in any photo opportunity together with any person of Muslim faith, the picture is going to be circulated around all the Republican talk shows as factual proof that he is, after all, a Muslim. What can we do? Now he will surely be called a bigot by the former Clinton supporters.
Posted by: Pete | June 18, 2008 at 07:19 PM
So now you know what they're really all about. As they like to say: "Stay focused. Don't let any distractions get in the way." Don't fall for their line again.
Posted by: Mandelay | June 18, 2008 at 07:23 PM
You mean Obama is just another sleazy Chicago politician? All this stuff about "change" is just BS?
I'm so shocked.
Posted by: mike | June 18, 2008 at 07:35 PM
Good grief. His staff recognized that the cons would use this photo as proof that Obama is Muslim and a terrorist supporter. Why do Democrats feel the compunction to run into these traps in every presidential election? From Dukakis riding in that dumb tank to Kerry wearing spandex while surfboarding, Democrats have been providing self defeating images for the Republicans to use against them in ever election, except for Clinton's. From this point forward, every single image should be considered with how the Republicans will use it. He already gave them the unpatriotic images, don't give them any more.
Posted by: Javalation | June 18, 2008 at 07:36 PM
It's a tough question, you know, because there is some big time ignorance in this country concerning Islam and Muslims and some big time prejudice. It's a tough question, because Obama can do more to reverse that prejudice as president than as a failed presidential nominee. It's tough because he's got so many OTHER things he's got to cover his back on, I mean, the guy is half-black and a lot of America is going to dismiss him just on that.
Personally I think they should have been allowed on T.V. Sticking to your principles is of preeminent importance for a politician of the sort Obama professes to be, and besides, an attempt by the G.O.P. to paint Obama as a Muslim just for appearing with two AMERICANS, whatever their First Amendment-protected religion may be, would almost assuredly backfire; it'd be going too far.
Posted by: Joey Burginson | June 18, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I just heard a Muslim on CNN saying that we should not demonize Muslims, but in my opinion, Muslims have demonized Christians, not the other way around. They are trying to kill us, after all....
Why are the Muslim women trying to sit behind them anyway? Obama is a Christian! Maybe the volunteers are afraid of them! I am terrified of Muslims! They hate us, they want to kill us! Have we not all seen them burning American flags, and chanting "Death to America"? I've never seen a Christian doing anything like that! We have the right to fear people who promise to kill us, don't we? Can't we FEAR them? They hate us for FEARING them, when they SAY want to kill us? I do not understand! I don't think they should even be allowed to wear those headscarves! It's like wearing a Nazi uniform, in my opinion. They are terrorists for wearing it. They are just trying to scare us by wearing those things in America!
My opinion is that those are just Republicans dressed up like Muslims.
Posted by: Dale | June 18, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Politics is hard , dirty and hypocritic
Posted by: Hashim | June 18, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Well, I am Muslim and I do not take offense at what Obama did. It is understandable. The fact is the hijab practice is controversial in many Islamic countries and many secular Muslim leaders make sure they are not mixed up with the practice as it denotes reactionariness. Just last week, the Turkish Supreme Court upheld a ban on the hijab in public universities. This is in a country where the ruling party is an moderate Islamist party and where the wives of the president and the prime minister wear the hijab. Muslim women sitting behind Sen. Obama in this strict headdress could send the wrong message of tolerance, one which will certainly be exploited by the extreme right. The staffers did the right thing.
Posted by: M.K. Ozman | June 18, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Obama's old man was muslim. Look how he treated Obama's mom. You think Barack doesn't get what Islam is about?
There's no way he's buying any of it.
Posted by: Cartoon Al | June 18, 2008 at 11:41 PM
*Sigh*
I realize this is just a blog, not the 'news' or anything, but the incident described didn't happen, and is about as factual as the "half-brother" that claimed Obama was raised a Muslim.
I understand the Republican need to propagate false rumors, but the old anti-muslim attitude really has to go. First you invent stories that he's too Muslim, then that he's too Christian, then that he's not Christian enough, and now that he's not Muslim enough.
Come up with something a bit more.... substantial, as a lie. Tell us that he's planning on spending 2 million dollars on fossil fuel energy instead of green energy. Oh wait.... McCain really is doing just that. My bad.
Posted by: Sphynx | June 19, 2008 at 12:56 AM
I hate how people including politicians succumb to petty racial and religious pressure and end up marginalizing others not even thinking about what they are doing. Islamophobia still affects the very blood of American society and can't be more evident than the behavior of candidates running for Presidents.
Let's Change this, and move towards more healthy and mature society, where race and religion is something that makes us strong and diverse, instead of divided and weak.
Posted by: Naheed | June 19, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I think its sad that Obama is letting his Republican rivals use the Muslim faith as some sort of bludgeon, he has essentially palyed right into their hands. And its not just his this particular headscarf incident,...its also his weak and sheepish denials at the mention that he might be "muslim".
Just once I'd like to hear him say,.."I'm not muslims BUT,..So what if I were? Theres absolutely NOTHING wrong with being muslims"
Posted by: Mustafa | June 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
It would be a vary bad idea to have had them sit behind Obama at a ralley, not right now. It's not that I oppose them, only cause McCain's camp will make all these accusations about that. And I don't want anything to prevent Obama from becoming Pres. Due to the terrorist attacks and all. These women should know that there gonna be judge.
Posted by: JR | June 19, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Obama is not anything but a Man that is Souless and has been stripped of any Sacremantal rights to eternal life. He is the Anti-Christ...Abomination will reack our land..He will Castrate our American way with his irraputable Sin.
As foretold he will self destruct during the Rapture..
He bears the Seed of Shey. Many will die from his mere precence as Tim Russet could not synthesies his Soul power and was cast as a pillar of Salt so will Obama.
I pray the Lord has mercy on our Souls...As the DNA racks up and the Meek will choose the way to Know the Lord...Know the Lord ...These are the final Dayes Man will not destroy everything. Floods, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Fires Diease and a Bloody holocoust is what is at hand...Know...the Lord....and Save your soul
I am who Iam I am all of who I am I am all of what I want to be for myself....Miracles....Miracles...Miracles....will be hand for those that can understand them...
Posted by: Saint Gabriael | June 19, 2008 at 04:38 PM
It's ridiculous that two Muslim girls could be in a picture because they were wearing their head scarves . I can understand why he wouldn't want the entire row filled with girls in head scarves, but 2 girls? People with throw slander no matter what Obama decides to do. Why not then stand on principle and support equality? This way he would get people who honestly are fighting for the ideals of America voting for him, not people with prejudices that they can't get over even when their own eyes tell them differently. I will not support a candidate who wouldn't support me if I were in the minority. I won't support a candidate who joins the majority by snubbing the minority. I agree with Obama in some areas. I disagree with him in others. I could potentially still vote for him, but only if I don't feel I would be turning my back on the minority to do so.
Posted by: Cynthi Pope | June 19, 2008 at 08:38 PM
the version i read (either on cnn or msnbc - can't remember) states that two groups of people were invited to sit behind obama, and the two girls were in those groups. so it's not like they asked to be seated there. when the volunteers saw them they removed them because of the headscarf they had on. one was asked to remove her scarf. the girls were there as americans, and voters, supporters of his campaign - so i don't get some of the comments questioning why they would want to sit behind obama. i mean, why wouldn't they want to?
that said, i understand why the volunteers may have made that decision - their candidate's image is under heavy attack, and it may not be advisable to place high visibility on those supporters of his who may happen to be visibly muslim. still, he might've chosen the courageous path for the sake of being more consistent with his inclusive platform.
Posted by: Kirana | June 19, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Maybe these women with headscarves were planted by the McCain campaign. Maybe they're not even Muslims. And how can you blame the Obama staffers when millions of these lowly educated whites still think he's Muslim.
Posted by: Bud | June 20, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I'm a Jewish supporter of Obama and I could only imagine how horrible it would make me feel if a candidate who i support so strongly had his campaign staff walk up to me and say "thanks for your support but we just don't want anyone seeing you actually support us". Shame on Obama for this
Tal Liebrecht, Los Angeles, USA
Posted by: Tal Liebrecht | June 20, 2008 at 02:24 AM
As someone who wants to represent Americans on the international stage, Obama should not be seen as tolerant. He should represent the will of the people no matter how bigoted or racist it may be. Like Dale wrote, we are the ones who are afraid of "them" but we should not be afraid of bombing them.
Posted by: AK | June 20, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Well is Mr. Obama not all about "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN"? Or "WE" need NASA scientists to figure even this out for"WE"...... HUH
Posted by: Dr.Khan | June 20, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Regarding Dale's June 18 Comments " just heard a Muslim on CNN saying that we should not demonize Muslims, but in my opinion, Muslims have demonized Christians, not the other way around. They are trying to kill us, after all...."
The reality is that more people are dying from the hands of christians then any other religious affiliations. Lets talk about the fact not perceptions, lets take Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine (even though its indirectly) bosnian war, etc. over 1.3 million people have died direct cause of a war that was started on a lie and still going. more than 200B in military aid to Israel from us to drop bombs on REFUGEE camps to wipe out muslim population.
You bet a muslim wants to kill after a bomb is droped on his home and his whole family is wiped out.
Posted by: Dan | June 20, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Don't believe everything you hear about Islam. Ther are bad people in every faith. Don't spoil the religion. Open your eyes and study the books and speak to people of the religion who have studied the books. Don't learn about Islam from a non-muslim. Don't learn about Christianity from a non-christian. The ones who promote hate are followers of the devil. I don't care what they call themselves. Don't forget more than a billion of the world's population is muslim. Don't miss the part of the news that doesn't mention what we've done to piss them off. Don't react to reactions. That will never solve the conflict. Sounds like the devil is having a field day with this!
Posted by: Claire | June 20, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I am an eighteen year old muslim girl, who wears a head scarf. I was born and raised in America, by my muslim father and catholic mother. I think it's sad that two girls wearing head scarfs were not allowed in to hear Obama's campaign, however, I also understand his reasonings. All of America was tuned in to their televisions listening to his speech and looking at his crowd. And although as americans we should all be treated equally, you can't deny that seeing Muslims in the crowd of Obamas campaign would have hurt his image and even turned away some of his supporters.
I think Obama should break away from the rumors and not let them affect his integrity. As of now, I am still voting for him.
Posted by: Nadia | June 20, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Interview the volunteers----
why can't we hear from them???
have they been fired?
must suck to get fired from a volunteer job.
Posted by: Dan Rather (the other one) | June 21, 2008 at 09:10 AM