Characteristics of Orientalism, Prejudice, and Discrimination

The difference between Muslims and Arabs according to the Schaefer text is; often being confused that they are the same Muslims are a type of religious group where as Arabs are a type of ethnic group. In the beginning of the text it describes and says that â€Å"Most Arab Americans are not Muslim and most Muslim Americans are not of Arab background. Within each group is a significant diversity that can be seen by differences in forms of religious expression, ancestral background, and recentness of arrival in the United States (Axia College, 2006).† A big factor when trying to see the differences between Arabs and Muslims is their religion, in the text it explains that Muslims relate closely to Christians religion wise because, they both worship the same god where Arabic’s worship their own god. Some of the changes that have been made by the United States for Muslims and Arabic’s is; they have made jobs for many of them more available. Since September 11, 2001 many Americans have had a hard time trusting Muslims and Arabic’s in return have treated them poorly. The United States has helped over the years to prove that not every single person in the Arabic and Muslim was involved or had anything to do with it. Over the years people have started to treat Arabic’s and Muslim’s better but it still has been hard for them to be accepted in the United States. Orientalism in correlation to Arabic’s and Muslims has lead to sweeping unity within the societies. â€Å"For many people in the United States, the mosque does not represent religious freedom and diversity or even a curiosity but a foreign threat in yet another example of Orientalism† (Axia College, 2006). Some suggestions to help promote tolerance would be to get to know people. People perceive others a certain way based on what is told to them about a certain person. We only see the â€Å"bad† that the Muslims and Arabic’s have done because of things that have happened in the past. A good suggestion would be to make community groups and get to know others, it’s always nice to get to know people and learn about things.