Ruben Navarrette, Jr of the Washington Post belittles the concerns of those who take exception to the practice of some American Muslims naming their football teams the Intifada, the Soldiers of Allah and the Mujaheddin (or "Holy Warriors"—a term that refers to Islamic terrorist groups). He asks those who are offended to lighten up and get perspective and compares these types of names to those teams named after Native Americans.
 
His analysis leaves much to be desired.
 
The writer makes several absurd statements and comparisons. He says the football players are assimilating. Surely, if they were assimilating they could adopt a myriad of names that don't honor murderers. The precursors of violence are the conditions which nurture the acts, including incitement which comes from honoring extremism. This is not 'John Ashcroft's America".

These names do not honor ethnic groups or nationalities (as the teams named after American native tribes might be seen to do), but instead honor and glorify the violent actions taken by some members of these groups. "Soldiers of Allah" and "Holy Warriors" are terms that bespeak violence against non—Muslims and are glorifications of the same.

Remember the ruckus over President Bush's use of the term "Crusade" when describing actions against Al—Qaeda? These are not innocuous terms but instead coarsen the environment and help create the conditions in which divisiveness is nurtured and prejudice is engendered. These are the necessary precursors to violence in the future.

Posted by Ed   01 03 04