Comments on: No to a Ground Zero Mosque. Yes to a Community Center.

By: CharonNYC

CharonNYC — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:57:02 +0000

Dr. Lewis,

As I read this post and hear the startling reports of the number of Americans who think Barack is a Muslim, I am more terrified than ever to live here (especially as we live in the information era). Though I fully understand the reasoning of your suggestion to market the project differently, ultimately, it is the "affiliation" with Islam (regardless of community center, school, or house of worship) that is being attacked. It is clear to me that mainstream America desperately needs further education around non-Euro Christian history and culture. We need further open dialogue about these misconceptions. (A history lesson on the crusades probably wouldn't hurt either.)

The progression of Hip Hop to Main Street traveled a similar path. 20 years ago, Hip Hop was deemed Black music… associated with the poor and the powerless. Who would have thought it would be used to market businesses and endorse presidents. The straight and narrow path of addressing fallacies is the only course to true progress.

By: CharonNYC

CharonNYC — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:57:00 +0000

Dr. Lewis,

As I read this post and hear the startling reports of the number of Americans who think Barack is a Muslim, I am more terrified than ever to live here (especially as we live in the information era). Though I fully understand the reasoning of your suggestion to market the project differently, ultimately, it is the “affiliation” with Islam (regardless of community center, school, or house of worship) that is being attacked. It is clear to me that mainstream America desperately needs further education around non-Euro Christian history and culture. We need further open dialogue about these misconceptions. (A history lesson on the crusades probably wouldn’t hurt either.)

The progression of Hip Hop to Main Street traveled a similar path. 20 years ago, Hip Hop was deemed Black music… associated with the poor and the powerless. Who would have thought it would be used to market businesses and endorse presidents. The straight and narrow path of addressing fallacies is the only course to true progress.

By: DreddedNupe

DreddedNupe — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:11:03 +0000

I would have to agree with Mr Williams. These are the same Islamaphobes who are still insistent that Obama is a Muslim (as if that were a bad thing). They will find an opportunity to do their dirt pretty much regardless of framing. If anything, the proper framing may just have postponed so much protest and outrage.

By: dumilewis

dumilewis — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:57:36 +0000

Obviously I disagree. I think that reframing is not for those who would be outside with signs protesting, it's for those watching and listening at home. If 60-odd percent of NYers oppose I am sure there are a significant number of them that could be “moved” by providing accurate information. Misinformation is powerful, that's why it's framed as a mosque and potential terrorist breeding cell. This frame emboldens stigma among folks who are ambivalent. We've seen the numbers move on Park 51 before, they could be moved again.

By: Noel Williams

Noel Williams — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:50:35 +0000

Sadly, reframing the argument will have no impact whatsoever. The people who are against this Mosque being built 5 NYC city blocks from ground zero (which anyone who's ever visitied NYC knows is a really long way!) will decry a Muslim Community Center as simply a euphemism for a Mosque and continue ranting. I am continually and increasingly saddened by anyone who can earnestly oppose this Mosque and not see the hypocrisy when they want to “return to American values” or be a “real american”.

By: DreddedNupe

DreddedNupe — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:11:00 +0000

By: dumilewis

dumilewis — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Obviously I disagree. I think that reframing is not for those who would be outside with signs protesting, it’s for those watching and listening at home. If 60-odd percent of NYers oppose I am sure there are a significant number of them that could be “moved” by providing accurate information. Misinformation is powerful, that’s why it’s framed as a mosque and potential terrorist breeding cell. This frame emboldens stigma among folks who are ambivalent. We’ve seen the numbers move on Park 51 before, they could be moved again.

By: Noel

Noel — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Sadly, reframing the argument will have no impact whatsoever. The people who are against this Mosque being built 5 NYC city blocks from ground zero (which anyone who’s ever visitied NYC knows is a really long way!) will decry a Muslim Community Center as simply a euphemism for a Mosque and continue ranting. I am continually and increasingly saddened by anyone who can earnestly oppose this Mosque and not see the hypocrisy when they want to “return to American values” or be a “real american”.