Obama, Being Called Muslim Is Not A Smear

The Nation: Candidate Has Not Pointed Out That False "Muslim Smear" Against Him Shouldn't Be Considered A Smear At All

(The Nation)  This column was written by Naomi Klein.

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Hillary Clinton denied leaking the photo of Barack Obama wearing a turban, but her campaign manager says that even if she had, it would be no big deal. "Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely."

Sure she did. And George W. Bush put on a fetching Chamato poncho in Santiago, while Paul Wolfowitz burned up YouTube with his antimalarial African dance routines when he was World Bank prez. The obvious difference is this: when white politicians go ethnic, they just look funny. When a black presidential contender does it, he looks foreign. And when the ethnic apparel in question is vaguely reminiscent of the clothing worn by Iraqi and Afghan fighters (at least to many Fox viewers, who think any headdress other than a baseball cap is a declaration of war on America), the image is downright frightening.

The turban "scandal" is all part of what is being referred to as "the Muslim smear." It includes everything from exaggerated enunciations of Obama's middle name to the online whisper campaign that Obama attended a fundamentalist madrassa in Indonesia (a lie), was sworn in on a Koran (another lie) and if elected would attach RadioShack speakers to the White House to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer (I made that one up).

So far, Obama's campaign has responded with aggressive corrections that tout his Christian faith, attack the attackers and channel a cooperative witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee. "Barack has never been a Muslim or practiced any other faith besides Christianity," states one fact sheet. "I'm not and never have been of the Muslim faith," Obama told a Christian News reporter.

Of course Obama must correct the record, but he doesn't have to stop there. What is disturbing about the campaign's response is that it leaves unchallenged the disgraceful and racist premise behind the entire "Muslim smear": that being Muslim is de facto a source of shame. Obama's supporters often say they are being "Swiftboated," casually accepting the idea that being accused of Muslimhood is tantamount to being accused of treason.

Substitute another faith or ethnicity, and you'd expect a very different response. Consider a report from the archives of this magazine. Thirteen years ago, Daniel Singer, The Nation's late, much-missed Europe correspondent, went to Poland to cover a hotly contested presidential election. He reported that the race had descended into an ugly debate over whether one of the candidates, Aleksander Kwasniewski, was a closet Jew. The press claimed his mother had been buried in a Jewish cemetery (she was still alive), and a popular TV show aired a skit featuring the Christian candidate dressed as a Hasidic Jew. "What perturbed me," Singer wryly observed, "was that Kwasniewski's lawyers threatened to sue for slander rather than press for an indictment under the law condemning racist propaganda."

We should expect no less of the Obama campaign. When asked during the Ohio debate about Louis Farrakhan's support for his candidacy, Obama did not hesitate to call Farrakhan's anti-Semitic comments "unacceptable and reprehensible." When the turban photo flap came up in the same debate, he used the occasion to say nothing at all.

Farrakhan's infamous comments about Jews took place twenty-four years ago. The orgy of hate that is "the Muslim smear" is unfolding in real time, and it promises to greatly intensify in a general election. These attacks do not simply "smear Barack's Christian faith," as John Kerry claimed in a campaign mailing. They are an attack on all Muslims, some of whom actually do exercise their rights to cover their heads and send their kids to religious school. Thousands even have the very common name Hussein. All are watching their culture used as a crude bludgeon against Obama, while the candidate who is the symbol of racial harmony fails to defend them. This at a time when US Muslims are bearing the brunt of the Bush Administration's assaults on civil liberties, including dragnet wiretapping, and are facing a documented spike in hate crimes.

Occasionally, though not nearly enough, Obama says that Muslims are "deserving of respect and dignity." What he has never done is what Singer called for in Poland: denounce the attacks themselves as racist propaganda, in this case against Muslims.

The core of Obama's candidacy is that he alone - who lived in Indonesia as a boy and has an African grandmother - can "repair the world" after the Bush wrecking ball. That repair job begins with the 1.4 billion Muslims around the world, many of whom are convinced that the United States has been waging a war against their faith. This perception is based on facts, among them the fact that Muslim civilians are not counted among the dead in Iraq and Afghanistan; that Islam has been desecrated in US-run prisons; that voting for an Islamic party resulted in collective punishment in Gaza. It is also fueled by the rise of a virulent strain of Islamophobia in Europe and North America.

As the most visible target of this rising racism, Obama has the power to be more than its victim. He can use the attacks to begin the very process of global repair that is the most seductive promise of his campaign. The next time he's asked about his alleged Muslimness, Obama can respond not just by clarifying the facts but by turning the tables. He can state clearly that while a liaison with a pharmaceutical lobbyist may be worthy of scandalized exposure, being a Muslim is not. Changing the terms of the debate this way is not only morally just but tactically smart - it's the one response that could defuse these hateful attacks. The best part is this: unlike ending the Iraq War and closing Guantánamo, standing up to Islamophobia doesn't need to wait until after the election. Obama can use his campaign to start now. Let the repairing begin.

Postscript: Ari Melber criticized this column, citing a video the Obama campaign has been circulating featuring a minister of Obama's church who makes it clear that while Obama is not a Muslim, there would be nothing wrong with it if he was. I had the same clip sent to me directly from the Obama campaign and wrote this in response: "What I am suggesting needs to be said can only be said by the man himself, just as he has taken brave stances against racism directed at Latinos under the guise of fighting illegal immigration. Do not underestimate the message that his silence is sending, not just in the U.S. but around the world."

One more thing: now is the time when candidates are most open to pressure. For instance, Hillary Clinton just announced that she will co-sponsor legislation to ban the use of private military companies - exactly one day after my Nation colleague Jeremy Scahill revealed that both Clinton and Obama were poised to let the mercenaries stay in Iraq even if the troops come home. Pushing candidates on the issues during a campaign can have a real impact, so can we please move beyond superfandom? I have also heard from people who think that saying Arabs and Muslims are worthy of exactly the same rights and protections as other minorities is just too high-risk a position for Obama during the campaign. If that's the position, so be it, but don't pretend the campaign is doing something it is not. It is precisely because he has been so strong on other issues of discrimination and racism that his trepidation on this issue leaps out.

[bradshawfami]

Last night on 60 Minutes. Barack Obama was asked if he knew where the rumor got started about his religious affiliation being Muslim. He said he really did not know and blamed it on his political adversaries. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but wouldn''t most people think that with a name like Barack Obama your probably a Muslim. I guess I can only come to the conclusion that the rumor started with his parents when thay named him Barack Obama.

[guysdigdirt]

I want to know if Obama has his focus and priorities in the right place. Is he more focused on his religion that preaches racial bias? Or is he in favor of equal rights for all people? Will he fight to protect the Constitutional Rights or give them away to the United Nations?

Where are his loyalties?

[guysdigdirt]

Morality, kindness, compassion and tolerance are not the products of religion. They are the products of human society. I fully respect and endorse your right to believe and live under whatever belief structure you want. However, when you''''re asking to become my president, I need someone grounded in reality. Posted by IRLiberal

Then it is a good thing you are not running for office as you are not in touch with reality.

Morality, kindness, compassion and tolerance are not products of society. The opposite is true. I will not say all religions teach those things, i am not familiar with all of them. But I will tell you I know few people who are not religious that believe in morality, kindness, compassion and tolerance the way truly religious people do. I am not talking aobut those who are only religious on Sunday, and not even Super Bowl Sunday at that. I am talking about those people who live it 24/7.

[mumtaz3]

I watched the story on Obama on 60 minutes today and I was very upset by it all. Being a Muslim shouldn''t seem like it''s a sin. Why are Americans so fearful of a Muslim person? Yes, it''s true that we have some Muslim fanatics in the world -- what the media tend to focus on solely and perpatrate as the typical Muslim, but that''s ALL wrong. People, start thinking for yourselves. And even IF Obama was Muslim, what would be SO wrong if he became President? Like Bush made a great president because he was Christian? Like I said, start thinking for yourselves - that''s why the Almighty blessed everyone with a brain so let''s start using it.

[dovesong-2009]

I agree with you. But he is guarded by secret service because of crazy''s and hateful people. He must be honest and thwart the lies. It is smart for him to do this now. He has to concentrate on unbolting the hate machine. You are right, however, it shouldn''t make a difference what religion he is. But, I cannot stand it when people call me what I am not. He is Christian, why should he pretend not to be?

[u512086]

As I watched 60min''s tonight, I noticed that Steve Kroft did not ask the hard question that is on everyones mind. He asked only if he were a Muslim. What we want the media to ask is simply straight forward; Do you salute the Flag and do you believe in placing your hand on the Bible in a court of law? It struck me very odd that Steve did not ask the question about the Bible after the gentleman in the interview specifically brought that up as an issue with him. Why not?

[yamuttya]

The republican hate machine is a disgrace to democracy.
Remember all....The world doesn''t hate Americans
( many Americans are nice people).

The world hates republicans.

Republicans are destroying democracy and America.
W. is just the first step over the cliff.......
Look out belooooooowwwwwwwww........

[carnalzoo]

Christians need to start obeying God and start proving they are disciples of Jesus Christ or leave the church.

[e-mail]

[aakalan]

While you are absolutely right - the smear is designed to smear both Obama and all Muslims - it is a terribly risky ground for the candidate, the party and the nation.

Like all swift-boating, truth has nothing to do with it when the target is the ignorant and hate-filled among us.

I know - as a gay man, I watched the demonization of *** in both of Bush''s election campaigns. I stood by while 13 states passed anti-gay marriage amendments that were not designed to affect policy, but to scare the hell out of the evangelical wing of the Republican Party and drive them to the polls.

This is no different. No one, not one politician of any stripe could come out and endorse Gay Marriage in response to the Karl Rove ugliness. Why? Because the smear (also irrational - it will kill traditional marriage - why? will all prospective bridegrooms suddenly decide to become gay? :-).

Though morally correct, it would have been career suicide, because the true evil of Swift-Boating is that the lie becomes very real in the minds of the numerous idiots who buy that garbage.

If Barack Obama had given a nuanced reply, calling the miscreants on their very premise, I promise you that the next morning CNN would carry a headling:

Barack Favors Muslims

You can''t win with a swift-boat attack. That''s how they''re designed. All you can do is deny and change the subject.

What a sad world we live in.

[closethippy1]

I want to commend the Nation magazine for their thoughtful criticism of the presidential candidate they endorsed only a few weeks ago.
The Nation, by the way, is the oldest weekly in the US. They were also one of the only two US magazines that during World War 2 condemned the Holocaust.
Everybody else just didn''t care for that stuff at the time.
I''ve always said the Nation is one of the most honest magazines I''ve read and I hope people can appreciate that.

[irliberal]

"Obama being called muslim is not a smear."

Actually, it is. Not because they used the word "muslim", however.

Actually admitting that you''re part and parcel of any religion should cast serious doubt on your qualifications for any political office. I mean, really, how good can your judgement possibly be if you believe the world was created in 6 days, or that you''ll be rewarded with virgins when you die, or any other ridiculous nonsense with ZERO evidence? As an agnostic (atheism is a bit too far to the other side for my taste) I know that I am in the minority, and that''s ok. Once it was a majority belief that black people should be slaves or that the world was flat.

The simple truth is that we have no evidence whatsoever of what happens after death, and to base any life-altering decisions on any religious belief should be a serious detriment to ANY political campaign. I mean really - if you can seriously buy into these things, what kind of nutso things are you going to do when you enter office? Oh wait, we have GWBush as evidence of that. 8-)

Morality, kindness, compassion and tolerance are not the products of religion. They are the products of human society, for those that choose to follow such social standards. I fully respect and endorse your right to believe and live under whatever belief structure you want. However, when you''re asking to become my president, I need someone grounded in reality. Thank you.

[Solarrays247]

Morality, kindness, compassion and tolerance are not the products of religion. They are the products of human society, for those that choose to follow such social standards. I fully respect and endorse your right to believe and live under whatever belief structure you want. However, when you''re asking to become my president, I need someone grounded in reality. Thank you.


irliberal, and thank you for an intelligent post.

[b-easy63]

In a time when the media and the White house continually barrage us with images and stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists who show no mercy and even police profile them for links to violence; trying for the highest office in the land and being labeled a Muslim when one is not--is indeed a smear. And the nation knows this as well as the fear mongering Republicans and Hitleryites who hope their message of fear is swallowed hook, line and sinker.

[ramos937]

I am an American of Mexican descent. I am also a Catholic. I am proud to be both. Obama has no shame in being a muslim (but he is Christian and goes to a Christian church). Also there is no shame in having the name Husseim as a middle name. People know when people are trying to use ridicue as a weapon like when Bill Cunningham did when he called Obama by his full time.

[Marie Zarankevich]

It is a shame that so many of us in America are so judgmental and narrow minded. But I think that we are just very sheltered from the rest of the world, and not too aware of how it looks to others. We ARE acting like ignorant, spoiled children, here. We need to do better, and learn something from all this election experience. I think we can all handle that! We''re adults!

[dragonez-2009]

True courage is following your beliefs even when it hurts and is not convenient. this is a time when we all need to stand up for our rights. True freedom of religion in your personal religious beliefs. That a person is innocent until proven guilty. That everyone!!!! deserves a fair trial. That as Jefferson said, "It is better every guilty man go free than one innocent man be imprisoned" these fundamental guarantees that our country is based on are the best assets any democratic politician could have and none of them take them up and follow them through. Obama should decry the attacks for what they are? Blantant racial and religious slurs that are far beneath anyone who would call themselves a true American. But the rest of us should recognize these same things within ourselves and reject them out right. Start with something small. Next time you fill out a survey don''t list White or Black or Purple for your race, list; "human". Because that is what we are. We all live on the same planet and now a days even eat from the same food supply. Reality should be slapping us in the face, yet we let petty differences cloud out any possible good judgment. If you had died in 9/11 would you have wanted the legacy you will be remembered by to be "The outright disregard and dissolution of the constitutional rights our founding father fought so hard for.

I know I wouldn''t. I want my children and grandchildren to have more rights and freedoms not less.

[tama351]

And you also prove my point by assuming that I''m a Republican. What about Mrs. Clinton? She''s far more experienced. So, don''t get too cocky about Obama because he hasn''t clinched the nomination yet. Don''t count out Hillary just yet.

[tama351]

Uh...knucklehead, the only reason I know you''re white is because you just said so skyk. My point is that peoples races are not listed here on this message board!!! So pay attention to what you are reading. But thanks for making my point. And speaking of blind hate you''re so upset at people who don''t support your candidate you took a shot at taddles, WHO''S ON YOUR SIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

[mcvet]

As the Neo Nazi''s and the Klan do the only thing they know how to do, spread hate and division, the Republican Party faces losing all hope of winning anything in any part of the country outside the Fascist South. Recent polling in the Midwest here shows total disgust at this attempt to smear Obama with what shouldn''t be an issue. In recent polls in Minn. the Republican Incombuent there is now falling behind and is trying as hard as he can as is the RNC, to distance himself from this creatures. There are still some very deep and bitter feelings in most of the country for the embarrassment served on this nation by the Klan. To see them, yet again, doing what was once run of the mill politics for them will most certainly add to the turn out against the Republican''s in most of the rest of the nation. Sieg Heil Bush!! Remember folks a vote for McCain is a vote for the Klan

[skyk-2009]

If people are unable to state their opinion about someone due to that persons ethnicity, wouldn''''t that be a racial prejudice in itself? Not to mention a violation of the 1st amendment. And perhaps there is a glitch on my computer, but I can''''t see the listing of the races of the people posting here. So when you assume someone who is against Obama is caucasian... YOU ARE A RACIST!


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Posted by tama351 at 02:02 PM : Mar 01, 2008
+ report abuse

I like most American''s really do not know what I am. I''m listed as White but I''m no different than most... I''m a Mutt! I''m also a native son of the south! This guy in Tenn is a Klan Member and the man who attacked Obama in Ohio, if not a member of the Klan is as close as anyone I''ve ever heard. This kind of thing makes me sick to my stomach. We have the WORST PRESIDENT in our History sitting in the White House. He got there the same way you people want to put McCain there. Do you honestly think the American People are going to fall for the same thing twice? Especially when they NOW know the LIES that has taken them to a war that never had to be. Now they can see the complete and total failure of the Republican Party? YOU think they are going to vote against this man and the change he will bring because of his MIDDLE NAME, which HE had no control over? LOL You need to walk around a little and talk to people. LOL

[skyk-2009]

I certainly hope that we can get away from the narrow minded bigotry that runs American politics.


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Posted by taddles at 11:59 AM : Mar 01, 2008
+ report abuse

Well when you have taken a Balanced Budget and a Surplus, turned it into the mess we now have. When you spent 6 years and a Trillion Dollars attacking the WRONG Country. When you spent 7 Years trying to capture the person who attacked this nation only to have him NOW strong as he was when he attacked you and in a safe haven in Pakistan, HATE and DIVISION is all you have. It''s going to get much more ugly! There IS no Republican Party anymore outside the south to speak of. These people are so dispicable they turn off the normal Republican''s and they are now backing Obama as well.