Stop calling me a Jew! Barack Obama and the politics of Xenophobia
Posted: 05-03-2008 , 14:22 GMT
By Remi Kanazi*
Barack Obama is not a Jew. He was not raised a Jew, has never been a Jew, and is a committed Christian. Nor has Obama ever prayed in a temple. According to a CNN reporter that is referenced on Obama’s website, Indonesian yeshivas (including the one Obama attended) are not radical yeshivas—unlike the ones in Israel and Brooklyn. Obama is so not Jewish, that even his Jewish stepfather, wasn’t really a Jew. Obama has stated that his stepfather had a “skeptical bent, a man who saw religion as not particularly useful in the practical business of making one’s way in the world.” Obama’s stepfather grew up in Indonesia, a country with the largest Jewish population in the world. To be exactly clear, visit Obama’s page: www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/12/obama_has_never_been_a_Jew_1.php
Sadly, if you were to take out each reference to being Jewish in the above paragraph and replace it with being Muslim, you would essentially be looking at the “know the facts” section of the Obama ’08 webpage. Obama and his campaign deemed it not only necessary to defend his angelic image against the scurrilous, absurd claim that he is a Muslim, but found it imperative to address this alarming allegation specifically by adding a separate tab near the top of Obama ’08 webpage, labeled, “on Obama’s religion.”
It’s Barack Obama’s choice to liken being Muslim to getting chlamydia from an underage congressional page, but this man of hope and courier of positive politics has taken the high road often enough, so why not this time? Let me guess, this race (like every race of the last 219 years) is “too important?” If cowering to racism and xenophobia is the remedy, well by all means ladies and gentlemen, let Barack Obama step up to the plate and deliver. But keep in mind, Obama hasn’t been accused of murder; his detractors, which include right-wing evangelicals and pro-Israel paranoids, are accusing him of belonging to a religion that encompasses twenty percent of the world and millions of Americans. The tone in which he and his campaign have responded is particularly disturbing. Obama is becoming the antithesis of his media description; he is protecting his image, instead of his message.
Obama’s raging defensiveness is an unfortunate reality, more so knowing that many Muslim-Americans are campaigning for him and faithfully supporting his candidacy today. Over the last few months, Obama skeptics have been lambasted by individuals championing “the lesser of two evils” rhetoric, but even a self-proclaimed pragmatist’s threshold should have been breached by this point. Obama is going to go as far as his supporters let him. First, he sold out Palestine without conscience because “everyone in politics does it.” Then he sold out Iraq—while Moveon.org crumbled and endorsed him—so he could grab the centrist vote. Then, in an effort to appeal to independents and John McCain supporters, he pledged to add more troops to Afghanistan and vowed to bomb Pakistan if “actionable intelligence” necessitated it. Next to go will be his shoddy healthcare plan, along with his flimsy stance on undocumented workers, and before we know it, he’ll be campaigning for his 2012 reelection.
I recognize that it’s easy to sell out Muslim-Americans. Who actually wants to appeal for their vote, never mind get on an airplane with them, right? But it’s time that Americans grow up and get over their post and pre-9/11 bigotry, and it’s high time that our political candidates take the lead.
As Obama’s hope is swallowed by the raging waters of mainstream politics, Muslim-Americans can dutifully forget about change and accede to the politics of xenophobia. Because what reasonable person would want to be a Muslim today, when that person can be a good Christian like Barack Hussein Obama.
* Remi Kanazi is a Palestinian-American poet and writer based in New York City. He is the co-founder of www.PoeticInjustice.net and the editor of the forthcoming anthology of poetry, Poets for Palestine. He can be contacted at remroum@gmail.com.
I think the author of this piece is taking things a little too seriously here. Of course that is to be epxected in a country where if you are not of the mandated faith and sect you risk death or dismembership for you and your entire family. Obama did nothing more than set the record straight after several people on the opposite side of the political spectrum began using his middle name as a negative trying allude that he was not only Muslim but that he could not be trusted and wanted to give the appearance of terrorism. This is all part of the political game during American elections.
I think the man is too global to be called for America. I think he will make a good president. If you are an American and not a member of some special interest groups, you might be able to contribute. Here is where to send your check.
Obama for America
P.O. Box 802798
Chicago, IL 60680
The USA has a great chance to turn our country around. We have spent over 7 years being judged by the actions of our government. Now we the people of the USA, have a wonderful chance to change our government. Barack Obama is our chance! Stories like yours just causes more hate and discontent among countries.
unallied American Patriot, US, (2008-06-01 , 01:22) - Reply
The government of the US is occupied territory. If Obama doesn't stroke the zionists, he'll won't be elected, they are too strong. Hillary & McCain's websites pledge unconditional support for Israel, but not Obamas, they are blind to the suffering of the palestinians at the hands of Israel. If they are
elected, please save the palestinians! We are not our government. They are hedgemonic liars and you would do well to not make any treaties with them. I apoligize to the world for the embarrassment they have caused us, and for all the lives they have ended and damaged. In a hundred years we could not make right what they have done.
Muslims Against Sharia, Washington, USA, (2008-07-09 , 06:20) - Reply
"What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge," says Mr. Obama, while denouncing statements of him being a Muslim as a smear. Why is the presidential candidate who claims to be religiously inclusive is treating the word "Muslim" as an insult? Apparently, it is OK for Mr. Obama to be associated with terrorists like William Ayers or racists like Jeremiah Wright, but God forbid somebody would call him a Muslim! No, he won't stand for that kind of smear! We admit that most terrorists are Muslims, but most Muslims are not terrorists and the statement on Mr. Obama's website is insulting to hundreds of millions of people.
Muslims Against Sharia is a blog collective that includes Pamela Geller, the (non-Muslim) owner of the anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate site “Atlas Shrugs.” She has in the past posted about wanting to ban Islam in the United States and has argued for the killing of innocent civilians in war.
It would be wise to consider this group's outrage with a truckload of salt.
No matter what his beliefs are, he is extremely liberal. Too liberal to be Jewish, Christian, or a Muslim. He is pro-abortion, anti traditional marriage, wants to raise taxes, and has a liberal wife who eggs him on. When he becomes president he will not only demoralize the country, but the people of the country and of other nations!
Most of the posters on this site are Muslims. As a Muslim ask yourself how you would feel if you were portrayed in the mdeia as being a Christian. Would you be offended - damn right you would; not because Christianity is vile or evil but because you have heartfelt beliefs which matter to you and are which being deliberately ignored. Of course Barrack Obama will deny being a Muslim - what do you expect a devout Churchgoing Protestant to do?
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Barack Obama is not a Jew. He was not raised a Jew, has never been a Jew, and is a committed Christian. Nor has Obama ever prayed in a temple. According to a CNN reporter that is referenced on Obama’s website, Indonesian yeshivas (including the one Obama attended) are not radical yeshivas—unlike the ones in Israel and Brooklyn. Obama is so not Jewish, that even his Jewish stepfather, wasn’t really a Jew. Obama has stated that his stepfather had a “skeptical bent, a man who saw religion as not particularly useful in the practical business of making one’s way in the world.” Obama’s stepfather grew up in Indonesia, a country with the largest Jewish population in the world. To be exactly clear, visit Obama’s page: 
