What’s Got Us on Edge?

My Post (5)

A friend texted me an emoji yesterday I didn’t recognize. Turns out it was the “apology” emoji and not the “Geesh, you’re a dope. I’m never talking to you again” emoji as I had imagined. Apparently I’m not real emoji-intuitive.

I lack intuition in other areas as well, particularly compared to my capacity to assume! It’s way out of balance.

I want to help people move from apathy, anxiousness and anger regarding Muslims toward love and engagement. This desire makes the big assumption that some people really feel these things. If this is true and we further assume most of us are more or less rational, there must be stuff behind those emotions: data, experience, belief, etc.

Would you help me understand this? Take maybe sixty seconds to weigh in with your thoughts about what’s behind apathy, anxiousness and anger toward Muslims. Think about yourself, but also what you sense is going on for others and in the broader culture.

  1. Apathy: We can’t care about everything, right? There are big issues facing us that I give virtually no mind time to. Beyond that factor, why might we be apathetic toward Muslims?
  2. Anxiousness: What causes our apprehension toward Muslims? If we drill down below the surface, what are we really afraid of? Or maybe “concerned about” more closely reflects what more people feel.
  3. Anger: Why are people angry at Muslims? I often say, “If you’ve literally been shot at by a Muslim and that made you angry, that’s legit.” But there are lesser or non-personal things that might also make us mad. What are we angry about?

Please click here and respond to one or more of these questions. I’ll be grateful to learn from your experience.

 

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4 Comments

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4 Responses to What’s Got Us on Edge?

  1. Mary C Miller

    I think all 3 stem from fear. I tutor Muslim students and my friends think I am very brave. I keep telling them they are people just like us, but instead of believing that, they tell me I am special. I don’t agree.
    I think we are afraid because of terrorism and it is easier to be apathetic than to care. Our anger is increased every time an innocent life is taken.

  2. Adrienne Farley

    I agree with Mary, and I would add that the fear in part comes from being uncomfortable with what we don’t understand. If we aren’t able to relate to others we tend to judge them in the context of what we know or make assumptions about them and their behavior that may not accurately interpret their intentions.

    • Adrienne, Good points. Thank you for taking the time to write. I agree with your assessment. Can you tell me some things that you think might help with this? I’d love to hear your thoughts about that. Thank you.

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