America is supposed to be a melting pot, the famed “land of the free”. Looking around, it is evidently not. A main aspect of American history is discrimination, and after the attack on September 11, 2001, Muslim discrimination has become increasingly prevalent.

The media plays a big role in creating the idea that Muslims are ‘terrorists.’ When the news mentions this culture overseas, we often see hidden faces, guns, American flags on the ground burning, children and other innocents dead. When the name “Al-Qaeda” or “Osama bin Laden” is mentioned or heard, many people associate them with the Muslims we see every day.

Why is this? “Most Americans are unaware of what Islam is,” says Jessica Pullen, world history and human geography teacher. “Al-Qaeda is not Islam.”

The negative associations made by the media between Muslims and terrorist groups cause undesirable interactions towards innocent people.

“Al-Qaeda is not what Islams prescribe to. And I think that most Americans have an association with the negative elements as being representative of the whole,” Pullen states.

Muslims are discriminated against every day. Whether it’s getting weird looks, being denied job opportunities, being called vulgar names, or being physically searched for no reason.

A Muslim student, Marjan Tarin talks about her experience with discrimination.“Especially since I started wearing the scarf, [people] treat me differently or they’ll look at me as if I’m stupid because I might not be able to speak English.  I think that people should actually get to know people before judging them based off of their religion.”

Islam is one of the largest religions in the world. They are not terrorists, and do not carry bombs with them. Muslims are just like any other person, they have bones and blood and especially feelings. Next time you say something crude or vulgar about someone else, remember that this is the land of the free, and they are just like you.