By Syed Rizvi
Malcolm X once said, “America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.” In the context of the aforementioned quote, Malcolm X addresses the point that western imperialism and the colonization of foreign lands led to the subjugation of its native peoples, which, among other things, led to the deprivation of identity and heritage. Institutional racism was at the heart of the grievances of civil rights activists. Considering our foreign policy, immigration policy and the legal system, these grievances are still dangerously relevant. Nothing better demonstrates this than the tragedy that is unfolding surrounding Ferguson. As a Muslim UT student, I’m reminded of the bleach bombings in West Campus, and that Islamic wisdom would prevent such racism, regardless of religiosity. Islam addresses all the different roots of racism, from the social to the economic causes. To briefly explore how Islam rejects racism, I will address four types of racism. [Read more…]
