So when you understand that "not all Muslims are" the problem, why do you keep using a language that indiscriminately blames all Muslims, throwing out the kid with the bathwater in the process, and burning bridges to those Muslims here who respect the law?
When we say that there is a problem with Islam, or a problem with Islamic terrorists, do you feel it's necessary to say that not all Muslims are terrorists or that some parts of the Islamic world are quite peaceful. Do these qualifications still have to be made after all these years? Do you sincerely believe that no one understands that by now?
Is this really some cultural misunderstanding of epic proportions between us? Is Rough Rider right when he says that you believe "identifying the problem" necessarily needs to include broad-generalizations and an emotional polarization, an angry mob, because that's the only way you have in America to "identify problems"?
If we were to say there is a problem in the "Black community" I doubt most people would feel the need to say that "not all Blacks are a problem" or that the crime of "Blackophobia" is being committed. The same goes for any community that is a part of society. We should be sophisticated enough to understand the differences by now, and in most of the world I believe that's the case..
Is it because of a cultural difference that I, and other Europeans, feel that differentiation is the way to go when "identifying a problem", and avoiding discrimination?
It might be the case where Europeans aren't all that experienced in dealing with folks with another set of values based on a different set of religious beliefs. You seem to believe that the best way to incorporate those with different beliefs into your cultural community is to just accept them with a smile, let them follow their own rules and adapt your rules to theirs, offer up the multicult platitudes and then hide in your homes when the problems inevitably begin.
For example, I believe it's well possible to address the existing problems of overproportionate crime among African Americans, without resorting to racist generalizations. And I used to believe Americans take care to do that as well.
Let's not set up straw men.
On the other side, I am often disturbed when I see partisan polarization of "liberals" and "conservatives", who too paint the other side with a broad brush, engaging in nothing but hyperbole and simplification, so I shouldn't be surprised when you do the same vs. Muslims -- is that simply how you do things in America?
I'm Canadian and have lived, worked and traveled all over the US. I know a great deal more about the United States than you do. Let's stick to the discussion at hand.
If that's the case, I believe this really is a misunderstanding. I consider such polarization, simplification and generalization as dangerous, because it evokes bad memories of not so nice periods in my country's history. I'm used to a much less polarized political debate culture. And most people in my environment would consider too big generalizations within the political debate as a "no go", because it too much resembles a "lynch mob", and we all know that's not a good thing.
Germany seems to have gone from one extreme to another. What Germans consider to be a "no go" is only more political correctness, which is one of the greatest scourges of the age. I have no interest in your no go areas, or anyone elses for that. It emasculates discussion.
Not that you misunderstand me, I don't want to lecture you about the American debate culture.
You're obviously in no position to do that anyway.
I just want to know if this all is just one big misunderstanding. Because, you know, in my environment, recognizing that there are problems with Muslim immigrants is really a trivial thing. Everybody knows that from day one. People just keep emphasizing we should keep it civil, because that's the much harder task than the obvious identification of the problem, which everybody recognizes anyway.
It's is not a 'trivial' thing but neither is it as high on the agenda right now as the economy, or governmental corruption and debt. That's probably because a good job is being done in ridding the world of the more outspoken Islamic leaders and terrorist supporters, though we also have to do that domestically as well when they riot or suggest a form of Sharia law be introduced.
It is still a 'thing' though, a seriously worrisome thing in many areas of the world, and certainly worthy of discussion.
