Hard Times
May 2, 2008 at 8:13 pm (American Society, Global Society)
Salaam alaikum,
So everybody’s feeling the pinch. Or maybe it’s more like a financial headlock. And for anyone who has little debt or no at all, they must be singing right about now. You might have heard of the massive layoffs in the Atlanta City government. Or you could have come across the article about Americans selling precious family heirlooms in order to make ends meet. Some Italians are boycotting pasta, believe it or not. And as hard as it is for us Americans and Europeans, it’s so much worse in poorer countries.
There have been riots in Egypt over rice prices and the poverty of Haiti is so severe, some have been driven to eat mud. Alhamdulillah, Venezuela is sending 364 tons of food to help them. The world is facing a financial and agricultural crisis. And while I could complain about the difficulty in finding a decent job, I have a roof over my head and food in the fridge. It’s a lot more than most people.
But don’t these hunger crises have less to do with high prices and environmental pollution and more to do with wealth distribution? I guess its a mixture of them all. There will always be richer nations but…
Despite all of this wealth that we have, as people of this earth who are living in an ecosystem of abundant natural resources, why do so many countries lack basic necessities such as clean drinking water and proper sanitation and sewage systems? Why haven’t we established a standard that ensures that everyone is entitled to health care, education, a decent income and a clean environment.
When will our politicians start talking about that? Maybe I wouldn’t have so much political cynicism if the majority of our politicians actually dealt with these huge problems. Even with this election, I’m getting worn down by all the sound bites and attacks. But this is entry would go on forever if I would start talking about this election and how I wish would we could settle on a Democrat candidate already!
The closer we get to November, the more nervous I get. There are certain issues that bug me about all three candidates but Obama is the only one that doesn’t scare me to death. I hope, insha’Allah, that he’s the lesser of three evils because Clinton has some serious race issues and she’s on running on what she did while she was married to President Clinton–which wasn’t much. She had the opportunity to reform health care and she didn’t. And yeah, I’m still raw about her vote authorizing the war in Iraq. She could have shown a little more courage. And Mc Cain…well, he doesn’t know the difference between Shia’s and Sunnis and loves to sing Bomb, Bomb Iran!
Now with Obama, I do fear his policy of going into Pakistan while our army is already stretched to its limit. Not to mention how I believe the last thing America needs is another prolonged, senseless war. For every war we start over there, that just brings on more recruits for Al-Qaeda. Speaking of which, does anyone talk about Bin Laden anymore?
*****
But in other news…yes, I’m sick of this Reverend Wright issue.
I’m sick of the hypocrisy.
Hagee and Parsley can say all the crazy, wackadoo things they want but they get a pass. Why isn’t the media playing footage of Hagee calling the Roman Catholic Church a whore or saying we New Orleanians deserved to drown and die because there was going to be a gay parade!?!!? I’m not even touching the stuff he’s said about Muslims. Is it because, despite Hagee’s horrible rhetoric, he’s a huge supporter of AIPAC, an AIPAC has at its disposal, among other things, devoted journalists in the mainstream media? And no, it doesn’t matter that Mc Cain didn’t attend his church. Mc Cain sought Hagee’s support. He asked for it.
But America got a dose of some Black Liberation theology from Rev. Wright and did not like it! Like one sister said, “Those folks are gonna wish they were making sujood with the Muslims after hearing what really goes down in the Black church!”
But if you want to hear from the man himself, just check out the links below.
Bill Moyers interview with Rev. Jeremiah Wright Gonna give credit to Moyers for having some journalistic integrity.
Rev. Wright Press Club Meeting part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5
Please listen to the q & a session in part 4 and 5. It is a riot!!!! Each piece is about 10 minutes long.
But ya know, despite all this mess with his minister, people STILL believe Obama is a closet Muslim!
La howla wa laa quwatta illa billah.
Umm Layth said,
May 2, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I enjoyed the parts of the interview I did get to see on youtube with Rev. Wright. I didn’t listen to it all because I don’t hold anything against him to begin with. I liked him since the bashing started because you know that when the white attacks the black for being racist it is usually bs.
Yusuf Smith said,
May 2, 2008 at 9:25 pm
As-Salaamu ‘alaikum,
I saw a report on the poverty situation in Haiti, and I recall the reporter saying that crops that were being grown in the country were being shipped out, for among other things to make bio-fuels in other countries. The biggest factor in the current food shortage crisis is the diversion of food crops to biofuel, which is not at all efficient. In George Monbiot’s book heat, he writes that the UK could be sufficient in bio-fuel if it used its entire agricultural land space to grow the stuff.
Jack Morris said,
May 2, 2008 at 9:36 pm
2 May 2008
Sister Izzy Mo,
I selected one short sentence from your piece on ‘Hard Times’ for this very brief response. You covered much in your composition and much of it I agree with. Here is my chosen sentence in which I found more truth than many will openly admit . . .
“But ya know, despite all this mess with his minister, people STILL believe Obama is a closet Muslim!”
You used the very broad term, people, and that cries out for clarity. People of all colors? Muslims, perhaps? The American young? Whites mainly? Could many blacks harbor doubts about Obama’s religion because of his origins and his parents? Is it possible this shining star and his vocal and highly educated wife have motives that have not yet been uncovered? Is it possible this brilliant candidate with his accomplishments from the most prestigious schools did not listen to the past words of his mentor and spiritual advisor during all the years he occupied the minister’s pew? Could he have been so insensitive to the fact he had documented associates of persons many in America feel are unsavory?
Should Americans, during these hard times for the country, question his thought and purpose when he overtly and publically refuses to display the flag pin and will not raise his hand to his heart during salutes and the playing of the national anthems?
I find it no wonder at all that a large number of American people of all colors and religions may consider that Barack Hussain Obama may well indeed be ” . . . a closet Muslim!”
Jack
Arima said,
May 2, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Excellent post…especially the part on the food shortages…I think you articulately voiced the sentiments of everyone.
izzymo said,
May 2, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Walaikum salaam,
Umm Layth: Oy, that’s always the fate of those who speak the truth, isn’t it? They’re upset with himself because he’s talking about some very uncomfortable truths about American society. And rather than hearing him out, they condemn him because he won’t say what they want to hear. Subhan’Allah, if Rev. Wright was Imam Younes, he would be Gitmo by now.
Yusuf: Subhan’Allah, it’s amazing how willing they are take food out of the mouths of poor people. I’m glad that biodiesel is being used as a substitute for petro. But of course, this has lead to the rise in corn prices. Does Monbiot talk about biodiesel not being a good substitute for oil?
Jack: Okay, how does not wearing a lapel pin or standing for the pledge of alliegance mean that Barack Obama is a Muslim or that he’s not patriotic? The two have nothing to do with one another. Whether you realize it or not, you are saying that Muslims can’t be patriotic. Do you not know that the first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison, swore his oath to office on a copy of the Qur’an that was owned by Thomas Jefferson? The second Muslim congressman, Andre Carson, swore on a copy of the Constitution. These are Muslim Americans affirming their commitment to their religion *and* their country and seeing no contraction between the two. I’m a happy and proud Muslim American and I see no contraction between those two words.
The other day, Hillary Clinton had on a pink blazer with no flag lapel, so does that mean she’s unpatriotic? Mc Cain doesn’t wear his flag lapel all the time, either. The race or religion of people casting doubt on Barack’s religion doesn’t matter. Their motives are not grounded in facts. The fact is that he had attended Wright’s church for over 20 years. He was married there and had his daughters baptized there. Yes, as a child, he went to a madrassa (which means school in Arabic) in Indonesia that taught Islam *and* Christianity along with grammar, science and other important subjects. Anyone, regardless of race or religion, who still thinks Obama is a Muslim is not dealing with reality. They are dealing with heresay and speculation. And yes, as you might have guessed, it think it defies simple logic.
izzymo said,
May 2, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Ooops, sorry for missing you Arima! Thanks for stopping by!
altaf said,
May 3, 2008 at 1:28 am
Salaam Alaikum,
As the Imam of the masjid I go for Jumma said today… Rve. Wright is us, he may be Christian, but he is us
Jack Morris said,
May 3, 2008 at 2:41 am
2 May 2008
Salaam Alaikum sister Izzy Mo,
I am sure you did not address me personally about the comments I made rgarding the belief some Americans have that Obama may be “. . . a closet Muslem.” I briefly gave reason why some people might jump to this conclusion and nothing more.
And why should I care what faith he selects for himself?
Jack
izzymo said,
May 3, 2008 at 3:11 am
Altaf: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I heard you went on vacation or something and that was, like, months ago.
Jack: I didn’t say that you cared about his faith. I was just pointing out how those people should deal with the facts, not mere guessing.
Ann said,
May 3, 2008 at 10:02 am
Assalaamu alaikum,
I don’t know the demographics, but according to various polls, 13-15% of Americans think Obama is Muslim.
Another factor in the food shortages is that they’re finding that GM (genetically modified) crops actually have a smaller yield than regular ones (contrary to the claims made that they would produce more).
darvish said,
May 4, 2008 at 12:15 am
I am an Obama supporter for a lot of reasons, besides is integrity and sense of public service. And 13-15% of Americans also believe in the Easter Bunny, so there is no accounting for such ignorance and racism. It is what they find comfort in as a reason not to support him. In Muslim countries, I would suspect that the same percentage of higher do not think the Holocaust happened, for the same reason.
Ya Haqq!
DB said,
May 4, 2008 at 12:44 pm
darvish
The Holohoax might be questioned because, it is used by Zionists to get special treatment and privilege. And it is supposed to be a historical event which can always be questioned, studied, denied etc.
altaf said,
May 6, 2008 at 6:21 am
Salaam,
I was out of the country for a few weeks - been back for over a month or so…
btw — -I will not be voting in the presidential portion of the elections — the only “public service” that i expect from Obama and any one else who gets “elected” is to attack another Muslim majority country. I also don’t see much integrity in the guy, so excuse me if i don’t jump on this empty of values obama bandwagon.
Especially the way he detached himself from Rev. Wright, I expect him to continue that policy - and become more and more part of the American Imperial establishment (no, I don’t think George W. Bush is the “evil one” - so that after he goes everything will be just fine — infact, things could get a lot worse).
***Once the Man has got you saying sorry, he’ll never let you stop. “Okay, but not quite enough. Try it again, and again and again. . .”*** This is why Obama may well be worse than a white president — he is going to have prove something serious to be accepted in that power structure.
And IF (still a big IF) he ever gets to be the nominee — he may well be showing a lot more of his fangs (i.e. his loyalty to US hegemony and imperial violence) by the end of September .
Dana said,
May 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm
OK, the following may be too easy for me to say because white privilege is probably talking. I apologize in advance. But I think it is still terribly important to consider, so if you would honor me by hearing me out, I would appreciate it.
Sexism is at least as important in the United States as racism, if not more so. We are at a point that while racism is still rampant, it’s not “officially” deemed “acceptable,” which is why there is always the public outcry when a famous person says something racist, right on up to public officials denouncing that person. The Big Lie in American culture is that we don’t “do” racism anymore, after all.
Sexism is not like that. OK, American women do not have it as blatantly bad as women in some other countries–and I’m not talking about hijab here, but about things like bride-burning and denial of education–but the trouble with this form of hatred is that it has become intertwined with relationships between the sexes, up to and including marriage. So it is very hard to extricate sexism from marriage and from the family. There are other reasons sexism is still very entrenched–it doesn’t help that guys on average are physically stronger and have greater access to resources than women–but the intertwining with marriage and family is a big one.
So people can tell sexist jokes and engage in sexist behavior and even kill women for sexist reasons and it’s barely a blip on the radar. A black man gets dragged behind a truck, America howls for his killers to be executed. A woman gets dragged behind a truck (this really did happen!), it gets mentioned a couple times in her local paper and then quickly buried. The lynching of black men is rightly considered a shameful relic of our barbaric past (but what about unarmed black men shot by cops, hm?–we’re still working on that one); the rape and murder of women is shrugged off with a “she asked for it” or “this is an anomaly” (it’s not). Black slavery was outlawed a long time ago; people are still arguing over whether the temporary buying and selling of women should be legalized! What’s next, making it permanent? Not that it isn’t already, in some ways; once a woman has worked in the sex industry, she’s branded for life. Yay Thirteenth Amendment?
I said all of that to say this: However guilty Clinton is of racism, and I have no doubt she or her handlers have been… Obama has been guilty of sexism as well. And this is not discussed in the public sphere, except in some areas of the feminist blogosphere. The most notable example was after the public tears debacle where Hillary was excoriated as being weak. Obama was quoted as stating that Clinton “periodically feels down.” I have it on pretty good authority that this is corporate boardroom code-language for, “b***h is on the rag, yo.”
What the heck was that about?? With all the things Clinton has done that are wide open for criticism–and I admire what she’s achieved in her life, but let’s face it, she’s no angel–WHY did Obama start in with the period jokes?
It bothers me that even though he’s voted on some bills in a way that was helpful to women, he felt it more important to stoop to the level of schoolyard bullying rather than confront Clinton on the real issues. Most particularly that he felt the need to attack her gender. To me this does not translate well to how he would deal with issues that specifically impact women once he is in office.
Do I think he would do a better job than McCain? The trouble is, I can’t *know.* If he would come out and behave better about women, explicitly so, then I could have confidence. I mean, this is why I voted for Howard Dean when he was running–he *was* explicitly an advocate for women. It is testimony to how few candidates for public office really care about our problems that I was thrilled to learn this about him. That’s pathetic.
(I’m not sure Hillary would care about women’s issues either, to be honest with you. She was for welfare deform, and of course the Iraq war is killing women left and right, and NAFTA is destroying women’s lives.)
So I’m about ready to sit this one out. I’m in a swing state where votes are routinely stolen, anyway, so I figure it’s not going to matter anyway. I just can’t see Obama as this big hero who’s going to turn the country around if he so facilely dismisses half our population as unimportant and worthy of scorn and mockery. And I wish I could. I was excited when it looked like Colin Powell might run a few years back, and I was excited when Obama first came on the scene, and doggone it, I want something to be excited *about* besides the man’s skin color. Wake me up when Ellison decides to run, will ya?