Banks, Adelle M. “Florida pastor oversees Quran burning.” USAtoday.com. USA Today. 21 March 2011. Online. 23 April 2011.
This article was published in a mainstream American newspaper and shows the Islamophobia of one Florida pastor who burned Qurans to display his hatred of Islam and the perceived religion of violence, along with its followers. The spectacle sparked increased violence in the Middle East against American troops and negative emotions by Muslims in the United States and around the world.
Daragahi, Borzou and Raheem Salman. “Grieving Iraqis want honor first, not money.” New York Times. 4 May 2008. Online. 23 April 2011.
The New York Times article speaks to attitude of American soldiers and diplomats towards Iraqi people and the overall theme that loss of life is not a big deal , when it is an Iraqi. The article contrasts the man’s Islamic faith in mourning his son with the general dehumanization of Muslims in the Middle East by the American military.
Dewan, Shaila. “Victims Have Say as Birmingham Bomber is Sentenced.” New York Times. 19 July 2005. Online. 23 Apr. 2011.
The attitude of Americans and reporters to a Christian extremists acts as a baseline for analyzing reporting on other extreme aspects of religions that are not Islam and are therefore more accepted in America. In this case, Christianity is not stated in the same lump stereotypical way that Islam always is when an extreme faction commits violence.
“Public Remains Conflicted Over Islam.” Pewforum.org. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life by Pew Research Center. 24 Aug. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2011.
This study is from Pew and is the result of a survey they conducted about religious knowledge and acceptance of Islam in American culture. Because my project is about Islamophobia in America, it is extremely relevant. My results should be similar to this study.
Said, Edward. Covering Islam: How the media and the experts determine how we see the rest of the world. New York: Pantheon Books, 1981. Print.
Said is a journalist who wrote books on the unfair news coverage to the Orient, meaning anywhere outside the West. In this particular book, he delves into the coverage of Islam, including specific examples of where the coverage is lacking. He talks about the importance of good coverage. Since most Americans don’t see the Middle East and aren’t in daily contact with Muslims, they draw their images and attitudes from the press, so accuracy is important.
Spencer, Robert. Islam Unveiled: Disturbing questions about the world’s fastest growing faith. San Francisco: Encounter Books, 2002. Print.
This book, which was on the NYT bestseller list, is an example of the sheer Islamophobia present in U.S. society and the degree to which radical and completely incorrect ideas such as those detailed in Robert Spencer’s books are accepted. Because incorrect information is reaching the American public through books such as this, it is important for journalists, who are trusted to present fair coverage, to fulfill their obligation.
Rendall, Steve, Isabel Macdonald, Veronica Cassidy, and Dina Marguerite Jacir. “Smearcasting: How Islamophobes spread fear, bigotry and misinformation.”Fair.org. Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting. Oct. 2008. Web. 11 April 2011.
This academic journal is the most important source to my presentation. It discusses how Islamophobia has seeped into mainstream media. It elaborates on the history of the attitude and how, like all trends, it started on the seams of society, got to biased, often Christian-based news outlets and then settled into the mainstream.
Vultee, Fred. “Jump Back Jack, Mohammed’s here.” Journalism Studies 10.5 (2009): 623-38. Print.
This article about the prevalence of the name in Mohammed in the world, talks about the expanding Muslim population in the world. Since the population is expanding at such a high rate, understanding the religion and his followers is necessary to understanding the world.
Islamophobia in America 