Media, “Ordinary” Muslims, and The Need for Balance

What we need are more shows about Muslim terrorists.  That appears to be what is wrong with a new reality show, “All American Muslim.”   The Muslims on this show are too assimilated, too ordinary, and too American.  The Florida Family Association, a conservative, non-profit organization whose mission is to “educate people on what they can do to defend, protect, and promote traditional biblical values, ” is supposedly the driving force in urging corporate advertisers to stop advertising on this reality show.

FFA’s complaint?  In a letter sent to advertisers, FFA states that the show “profiles only Muslims that appear to be ordinary folks while excluding many Islamic believers whose agenda poses a clear and present danger to the liberties  and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish. ”  Lowe’s evidently took this concern to heart and pulled its ads off future shows.  Presently, there are a glut of Muslims in the media, but they are typically not portrayed as ordinary folk.  Rather, what we see is what some term the “three B syndrome,”  Muslims disproportionately portrayed as bombers, belly dancers, and billionaires.

I am reminded of the movie, “A Color Purple,” which came out years ago.  Some of the images of African Americans in that movie were not very flattering.  At a lecture dealing with Minorities in the Media, a prominent African-American scholar was asked about that movie, and in particular, the image of a black male portrayed by Danny Glover.  In the movie, Glover portrays “Mister,” a man who repeatedly beats and abuses his wife.  The scholar’s response caught the questioner off-guard.  She had no problem with the way this particular male was portrayed.  Her criticism had to do with the lack of balance in the media, and how few black males appear in positive roles that speak to their strengths as leaders, as fathers, and as ordinary individuals.

It seems to me we need more shows like All American Muslim, shows that provide some much-needed balance.