Why do we hate Arabs?

In the online advice column I run, I received the following question from an Arab Muslim man: "Do you think that Muslims and Arabs are hated? is Islamaphobia growing? What percent of the world hates Muslims?"

We in the U.S. are now accustomed to the question, "Why do they hate 'us,' Americans?" --even if we are not so good at responding honestly and humbly. However, I don't think we've really worked asking the question of why we hate 'them.'

I answered this man that while it is hard to quantify a sentiment such as hatred toward any group of people (without say, a carefully prepared research survey covering multiple regions of the planet), I would tend to say that Islamophobia has been steadily growing over the past decade and that there are many negative stereotypes portrayed in the media (news, plus entertainment sources) towards Arabs and/or Muslims. I think there are a few reasons for this, such as the current Middle East crises and the foreign policy stance of the U.S. government, as well as propaganda statements made by the present administration. Also, there is more awareness that Arabs and Muslims 'exist,' given the current political situation (they're 'on the radar' in the way say, Eastern Europeans and/or Communists no longer are).

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It seems we always need to have a 'Them' to hate, in order to define or even to love and affirm our own selves. [There is a field of theology related to exploring this phenomena, known as 'Sub-Altern' (inferior-other)]. This year's Vagina Monologues also poignantly addresses this issue in the newest monologue, "Reclaiming Peace":

"We make decisions all the time. Decisions about Them. Them is always different than us. Them has no face. Them is a little bit deserving of all the bad that happens to them. Them is used to violence – it’s in their blood.

"There are rules about them. We keep them over there, out of sight, conceptual. We do not get close enough to touch or smell or know them. We do not want to see how easily we could become them -- how quickly violence arrives, how swiftly people turn, embracing racist hate. We do not want to know or touch the parts of ourselves that are capable of behaving like them."

For most Americans, who don't own passports or have regular contact with neighbors who are Muslim or Arab, it's too easy to distance ourselves from these 'Others,' and to believe our own sources of authority about who they are. It takes more work to seek others out and learn for ourselves, to build the human connections to which God calls us.

This year the Vagina Monologues calls on women of all backgrounds to work together as peacemakers and bridge the violent chasms between us. I would also like to suggest a few thought-provoking resources on stereotypes and perceptions:

Reel Bad Arabs, by Jack Sheehan, indexing the movie industry's portrayal of Arabs and Muslims

'30 Days', an FX comedy-documentary series on breaking down stereotypes on between polarized communities, including Muslims and conservative Christians. http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/30days/

You may also like to consult the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, www.adc.org, which has great tips on expanding understanding through local education activities.