I have a Muslim friend who was denied entry to come back to Canada from Germany, I think it was, for a bit because of the possibility that he might be a terrorist. When he told us this, I found it amusing. This guy is one of the nicest, most forgiving, and most understanding guys I have met in my life!
I remember another time that he came to school really late because he was stopped in his car because it was thought that he might be a terrorist. When he told us this, I found it amusing as well. How ridiculous this was to me.
Does it bother me? Well, I do find it sad… and childish. I also find it humourous that people can be that ignorant in today’s world, that they feel they must stop someone who is minding his own business just because of the colour of his skin.
I suppose it would bother me a lot more if this friend of mine was not the type to just laugh it off. He is used to the racism and makes jokes about himself, so it’s a whole lot easier to forgive when people are racist towards him… but yes, racism is definitely out there.
However, his attitude towards racism and prejudice directed at him ends up getting people to take him more seriously and be more friendly with him because he is just so fun to be around that where he comes from and the religion he chooses to associate himself with just does not matter, no matter who tries to discredit him or his character because of who he is. He is a very lovable guy and it is often joked that he knows everyone. :)
Can political correctness be a barrier to anything? Of course it can. It discourages people from being open about their hatred that is probably unreasonable for them to feel in the first place. It discourages people from treating people they don’t like for things they can’t help unfairly. Is that really such a bad thing? I am not asking for an answer as I feel I may be speaking to the choir. :)
I hope the stories I’ve shared above have helped to illustrate how silly using the “I wish I didn’t have to be so politically correct, but Muslims this, Muslims that…” way of thinking is.