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US divided into "us" and "them"
Published: 14 September, 2010, 03:33
Edited: 15 September, 2010, 15:14
UNITED STATES, Washington : A demonstrator carries a sign depicting US President Barack Obama as God, holding "The Book of Marx" during a march by supporters of the conservative Tea Party movement in Washington on September 12, 2010. (AFP Photo / Nicholas Kamm)
(12.2Mb) embed videoTAGS: Anniversary, Protest, Politics, USA
Out of thousands of people who protested over the weekend in New York, one said "If they are going to be citizens of the United States, they have to play by our rules.”
In the days surrounding the 9th anniversary of September 11th, America is split. A big American argument spilt onto the streets of New York. Calls for religious tolerance have clashed with calls to stop the so-called Islamization of America.
Should an Islamic cultural center be built steps from ground zero?
Some believe being "for" it is a slap in the face to Americans, others say a stand against the mosque is caused by anger and fear.
"This has become a focal point for people who are trying to vent whatever sort of nationalist rage they have against Muslims. It's not based on anything real," a young mother told RT.
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan says politics is actually governing the national debate.
She said, "These people are being used by Republican operatives, and people like Glenn Beck, to get the Republicans back in power. They don't realize that when they're doing this, it demonstrates all over the world still how deeply ignored and racist the United States of America is".
Fuelled by mainstream media pundits, the protesting against the Islamic center turned political.
One man told RT that he believes there is United States-o-phobia going on around the world.
"For some reason, being an American, a real American, is less and less popular. And why wouldn't it be with this president, when this is being promoted by the President? President Obama? I am not sure he likes America too much," he said.
A woman who came to protest against the mosque was outraged that the day became so politicized.
"This rally has become an anti-Obama rally. Every person that has spoken on that platform has bashed him," she said.
While the political bashing did take over the minds of some, a major unity rally took place on the eve of the anniversary of the tragedy that began the fear.
She said the supporters came out to show opposition to what is becoming visible racism and to also stand up for unity, solidarity and respect. Founders argued that polls showing widespread US opposition to the mosque are distorted.
“It’s the media that has take hold of this issue put forth by really right wing and fascist organizations, racist organizations,” said Founders.
The media is driving the presence of the right wing agenda by giving them ample attention and giving them to much attention leads some to think they speak for the broader population, argued Founders.
14.09.2010, 02:48
1 comment
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14.09.2010, 03:45
2 comments
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Do you guys and girls actually listen to what you are saying? You along with Flounder are the ons spewing hatred and bigotry!! You use wel the other people are racist so we can HATE them and squash their rights to FREE speech..ONL WE are allowed to have an opinion..t is the Glenn Becks fear mongering even though me Founders that is fear mongering in my comments about him and the tea party people..THOSE PEOPLE shouldn't have rightonly we people should ..Then shehan and others lol that she sheehannn used the media as a media whore to make herself famous and spew hateful rhetoric against Bush and any others she could with the media willingly helping her..She is such a hypocrite it is pitiful that people buy into her hatred but they do because even the one writing the article s spewing their own biases and bigotry..YES it is We against them but the ones crying about it and pushing their views on others and saying the others are the intolerant ones ,those are the ones that need to take a look at themsleves and realize how hateful they are...We are the ones we have been looking fo was just a rallying cry for US against them..Just as Obama has always done US against them,,Class and social warfare has been his rallying cry over and over again and the stupid ignorant intolerant fools that lsten to and buy into his rally cry of HATE are the ones that just don't have a clue..
The US is a relatively 'new' country by global standards, a country built on the backs of foreign labour, slavery, and the plundered wealth from the old European powers / empires of old (fact not opinion). Most of todays population are not indiginous to the country (the native Americans were almost vanquished, and even today hardly register in US politics). The US population consists of imigrants from all over the world, not just from 'Christian Europe'. The decendents of the slave trade now make up a major component of the population, as do immigrants from Mexico. The US is now arguably one of the most multicultural and ethnically diverse countries in the world, with people from every corner of the globe living and working there. I have heard the term 'cultural melting pot' used many times to descride the US. The continued evolution of its population on ethnic lines is however moving very quickly at the moment. Many people who emmigrated from India, Asia, and even the middle east over the last few decades have contributed to the changes in the numbers practicing the 'state' religion. The balance between Christianity, Jewdaisim, Hinduism, and Islam is shifting very quickly. Some people will feel very threatened by this and will naturally push back. Ignorance, prejudice, and fear is best fought through education and communication, something that seems to be sadly lacking in mainstream US. The continued change in religious practice is a normal component of continued cultural and ethnic diversity.
Anyone that dares disagree with him and people like Founder and shehannn wil cream racism towards them because only THEY are allowed to have an opinion..Anyone else that has a different opinion is laebled a racist and demonized and spit on by these people ..Rules for Radicals Saul Alinsky Obama's good buddy really knew what he was talking about how to divide a country...Listen closely next time by your dear leader that you defend to the death because of course anyone that dares disagree is a racist?? What if it is your daughter or son that realizes they and you are being played the FOOL and being HATEFUL?? Are you going to psit in their face too and label them and call them names and discriminate against them too? hmm probably and that is so sad !! You gotta stop the HATE and stop following whatever your Prez says because if you listen to what he says and imagine someone else saying it someone like a white guy saying the exact same things someone like Glenn Beck saying exactly what Obama says and talking about "those people" like obama has done..Imagine Glenn Beck using the language of Obama the past couple years and I guarantee you you would be foaming at the mouth and wanting to kill him even more then u do now..You would rightly so say he is the biggest racist in the world.NOW realize that it is your buddy OBAMA that says these things?!!!??? Now are you willing to admit how big a racist he is and how much he is dividing this country with his hateful rhetoric ,,class warfare and social and econimic warfae and yes race warfare when he goes and tells spanish la raza which itself is pretty racist many times Obama saying it is us against them those white people are you gonna stand on the sidelines or are you going to stand with me and defeat them..How evil are they !!!!! hmmmmmm think for youself for a change!!! Make that change!!! a REAL change not a fake one like Obama the snake oil salesman!!