Response to Jamillah Karim

Jamillah Karim raised many interesting points in her lecture last week. Her ideas centered on the model community of Islam. Her lecture was full of so many facts and ideas that it was hard to keep with everything that she was saying. The points that I remember center on Muslims and their response to the racial divide in America. I believe many Americans suffer from color blindness. These individuals feel that we have overcome segregation and unjust treatment towards other minorities, when in reality we are society headed towards resegragation. The example Karim used was the myth that America is the land of opportunity and anyone who works hard enough can become anything they want to be. In reality, America thrives off of the strife of non-whites and immigrants. Looking at the issue of race, Karim states that Islam is a model community because it is the only group without a racial divide. It is a religion that brings everyone together on a equal ground and can set an example for others to follow.