Racism is America's Original Sin

By Imam Shamsi Ali

I still remember some years ago, the United States was experiencing a turmoil. Protests, violence, and looting have erupted in over 30 cities across 50 states. The unrest has even reached the White House, forcing the President at the time and his family to take shelter in a bunker.

Some may remember, the spark ignited those protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an African American man, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Floyd's death, along with many others before him, has brought to the surface the long-simmering issues of racism, injustice, and discrimination against minorities in America.

Actually, the history of racism in the United States is a long and painful one. It is perhaps not an exaggeration to describe the racist behavior of some Americans as "original sin." The native inhabitants of America, the Native Indian Americans, were the first to face marginalization and systemic destruction at the hands of European immigrants.

As European immigrants established themselves in America, Native Americans were subjected to poor treatment and injustice. They were relegated to living in underdeveloped areas and were gradually marginalized and erased.

This dark history brings to mind the Indonesian proverb, "susu dibalas air tuba" ("milk is repaid with palm wine"). The compassion and kind acceptance of Native Americans for the immigrant from Europe were repaid with cruel and racist behavior by European immigrants.

The mistreatment of non-whites in America continued with the brutal treatment of African Americans, who were brought to the country as slaves. Many of these slaves were Muslims, and this fact has become increasingly apparent as many African Americans have converted to Islam.

The history of racism in America is undeniable. The civil rights movement of the 1960s, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, was a response to the systemic racism faced by African Americans.

Racism has also been directed against Asian Americans, particularly Japanese Americans, who were interned in concentration camps during World War II. Similarly, Hispanic and Latin American communities have faced racism and discrimination.

In recent years, Islamophobia has become increasingly prevalent. The 9/11 attacks marked a turning point in the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment. The current administration's policies have only exacerbated this problem.

As a Muslim, I strongly believe that the Trump administration's ban on Muslim immigration during his first term in the office was discriminatory and racist. That policy is not in line with American values or the Constitution.

The reality of racism in America is a problem that must be addressed collectively. It is not a disease specific to any particular racial or ethnic group. Rather, it is a mental illness that stems from a sense of superiority based on skin color, race, or ethnicity.

The incident such the death of George Floyd and many others before should serve as a wake-up call for America to correct its course. Racism is a common enemy that must be fought collectively.

From religious leaders and communities to educators and institutions, artists and the Hollywood community, business leaders and market players, everyone has a responsibility to fight racism.

The greatest responsibility lies with those in power, particularly the government. They have the moral and constitutional authority to implement systemic changes to combat racism.