Stressful situations, whether personal or national, often lead to poor decision-making.
Take World War II as an example. Japanese Americans were stripped of their constitutional rights, simply because of their ethnicity. It’s troubling to think about.
Fast forward to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and we can see similar patterns, which is something that genuinely concerns me—especially now as we approach a critical point with President Trump’s military actions concerning Israel and Iran.
Like many, I worry about the potential for military escalation and the consequences that could bring for Americans, possibly making them targets of retaliation. There have been reports of the FBI ramping up surveillance on Iranian-supported “sleeper cells” in the U.S., which feels like a genuine concern.
Yet, as our government’s ability to surveil increases, we need to be vigilant about protecting civil rights and freedoms. We’ve seen this before with the Patriot Act that emerged post-9/11.
I can’t help but think that the charged language surrounding war and the prospect of American lives being lost could trigger violent backlash. It’s alarming to imagine a rise in vigilante actions aimed at individuals deemed Muslim or Middle Eastern. This isn’t just speculation.
Many may recall the tragic story of Baldir Singh Sodi, a Sikh businessman fatally mistaken for a Muslim in 2001. He was killed by someone looking to “shoot a towel head,” a direct response to the 9/11 tragedy.
It’s worth noting that violence wasn’t an isolated incident. There was a significant uptick in anti-Muslim hate crimes as reported by the FBI that year. Civil rights organizations documented numerous anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim incidents, alongside profiling and harassment, following the attacks.
Today, communities are facing oppressive tactics due to the stringent deportation policies of the Trump administration, which has framed immigrants as an “invasion.” Such rhetoric is a misuse of wartime powers.
The administration seems to utilize outdated propaganda techniques, encouraging citizens to view their undocumented neighbors as “foreign invaders.”
Then there’s the blatant bias spewing from certain right-wing commentators. They were all over the response to Zoran Mamdani’s recent victory in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary—a notable Muslim American figure whose family migrated here when he was young.
Pastor Greg Rock, a supporter of MAGA, made troubling remarks about Mamdani’s success, suggesting impending doom linked to Islamic practices in the community.
Not too long ago, there was an assassination attempt in Minnesota targeting various groups, reminding us how politically charged violence can affect Jews, Muslims, and other marginalized communities. We should reflect on how the rhetoric of dehumanization poses real threats.
Opinions on U.S. foreign policy, especially relating to the Middle East, are deeply varied; these divides cut across political affiliations. Regardless of where individuals stand, the core value that no one should face discrimination for their religion or ethnicity ought to unite us.
Let’s not repeat the past. We need to resist the narrative pushed by some politicians that we should forfeit our constitutional rights during times of conflict, either abroad or against our fellow citizens at home.
If we allow these principles to falter, none of us remains truly safe.
