As you may know, there recently was a controversy involving Lowe's decision to pull their ads from the TLC reality show All-American Muslim. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to write a post in a timely manner. However, I recently visited moniqueblog and noticed that she wrote an excellent piece on the topic. I asked Monique if she'd be willing to let me borrow it for Diversity Ink and she kindly obliged.
Credit: Wikipedia
I actually intended on talking about this controversy a whole lot sooner than I am, but I’m talking about it now. Recently, Lowe’s has been in the middle of a firestorm concerning their initial support–then non-support–of the TLC show All-American Muslim. According to myfellowamerican.us:
“ [L]ast week Lowe’s Home Improvement pulled its ads from the TLC show All-American Muslim in response to an organization claiming the show “falsely humanized Muslims in America.” The Lowe’s controversy has exposed more Islamophobia in America. This issue falls directly in line with what the My Fellow American project is trying to prevent and overcome in America.”
According to this post, the main group behind the statements about humanization is the fringe group the Florida Family Association.
I’m more than appalled at how some people have the nerve to say that this show about HUMANS ”falsely humanize[s]” HUMANS. Let’s get some things straight here:
So that’s my stance on this. Lowe’s should be the bigger person in this situation and actually stand for acceptance of all people. Let’s face it–it’s not just Christians who shop at Lowe’s. Muslims like home-renovation just as much as anyone else, and Lowe’s profits should diminish once some clientele stops showing up.
If you want to voice your opinion about this, make sure to go to My Fellow American. You can also share your own stories of acceptance as well as watch the short film on Muslims in America.
More reading:
The Huffington Post–A new Lowe for Anti-Muslim Bigotry
Adweek–Lowe’s in Facebook Hell as Racist Comments Pile Up
“All-American Muslim”: The Lowe’s controversy
Credit: Wikipedia
I actually intended on talking about this controversy a whole lot sooner than I am, but I’m talking about it now. Recently, Lowe’s has been in the middle of a firestorm concerning their initial support–then non-support–of the TLC show All-American Muslim. According to myfellowamerican.us:
“ [L]ast week Lowe’s Home Improvement pulled its ads from the TLC show All-American Muslim in response to an organization claiming the show “falsely humanized Muslims in America.” The Lowe’s controversy has exposed more Islamophobia in America. This issue falls directly in line with what the My Fellow American project is trying to prevent and overcome in America.”
According to this post, the main group behind the statements about humanization is the fringe group the Florida Family Association.
I’m more than appalled at how some people have the nerve to say that this show about HUMANS ”falsely humanize[s]” HUMANS. Let’s get some things straight here:
- Islam is not only a religion, it is the second-largest religion in the world and is growing every day.
- Not all Muslims come from the Middle East. Islam has a very big community in the United States. In fact, some of my own family members are Muslim. Basically, ANYONE can be a Muslim–you don’t have to look like a certain person to be a Muslim.
- Islam, Judaism and Christianity are ALL RELATED. They stem from the same stories and teachings. If you respect one of the three, you should respect them all, since they are all related to each other.
- Saying that Muslims are being “falsely humanized” is not a very Christian-like thing to say. It’s not a very spiritual thing to say period. It’s gross and stupid.
So that’s my stance on this. Lowe’s should be the bigger person in this situation and actually stand for acceptance of all people. Let’s face it–it’s not just Christians who shop at Lowe’s. Muslims like home-renovation just as much as anyone else, and Lowe’s profits should diminish once some clientele stops showing up.
If you want to voice your opinion about this, make sure to go to My Fellow American. You can also share your own stories of acceptance as well as watch the short film on Muslims in America.
More reading:
The Huffington Post–A new Lowe for Anti-Muslim Bigotry
Adweek–Lowe’s in Facebook Hell as Racist Comments Pile Up
22 comments:
It's ironic. There's a belief that big corporations somehow rule America and flex their muscle at every conceivable opportunity, yet they cower in the corner when they feel heat of losing any business.
I don't know the full story behind this, but if Lowe's is feeling pressure from a niche group and has subsequently pulled ads, then they're cowardly. They need to join up with the folks who pull ads from Beck and from the Super Bowl and from everywhere else, go see the Wizard, and get some nuts.
As ridiculous and as spineless as I find this to be on on the part of a company, I do still rejoice that this is some of the biggest discrimination in America today.
Compared to other parts of the world, this is a literal laughing matter.
I mean, America is predominantly Christian. And I think it is important to note that our country's discrimination is about a 0.01 compared to what some Christians go through in predominant Islamic countries.
Not excusing bigotry in any fashion here. In fact,this is yet another in a long line of reasons that I'm happy in my belief that all religion is a scam. But on a world scale, especially a historic scale, it's actually refreshing to see bigotry in such soft fashion.
Most would obviously appreciate a day when bigotry didn't rear its head at all, but I do find a thick, bright silver lining in stories like these.
Complaining instead of bombing or killing - giant leap in the right direction.
Monique, thanks again for allowing me to use this as a guest post.
Lowe's decision to pull their ads from "All-American Muslim" showed a lack of courage. For them to still say they have a commitment to diversity is a joke!
Due to it's subject matter and because it's filmed not far from where I live, I had been meaning to watch "All-American Muslim". However, I didn't get around to seeing it until after the Lowe's controversy. I found the show to be fascinating and not at all the propaganda piece that David Caton (the head of the Florida Family Association) claims it to be.
The only thing I'll say is every company has the right to decide whether they want to sponsor a television show or not, and that includes Lowe's. I haven't seen the show so I can't comment on that.
I demand a show that shows Catholic priests in a good light. Sarcasm LOL!
Teresa: It should go without saying that companies have a right to choose on which shows they wish to advertise. No one's arguing that. The debate is whether or not Lowe's decision was good or bad.
In case you have time, below is a link to episode 1 of "All-American Muslim". If you do watch it, feel free to stop back here and let us know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hF_aF-H4-k
I don't know if there's any truth to it, but a pro-Catholic show may be in the development stage. Apparently, it was created by the late Christopher Hitchens and it's rumored that it will star Bill Maher as a priest doing the Lord's work in Dallas, TX!
This show sounds fascinating. I hope to see it some day.
I am not far from Dearborn. It is not a hive of monsters.
This is the flip side of companies boycotting Glenn Beck because he got too righwingchristian.
Veggie Tales had to tone down the Christianity to remain on tv. That's the free marketplace...
The next quarterly earnings statement from Lowes will tell us if this was a smart decision or not.
Love the new look. Awesome that you finally came clean of the blog's intent. Much respect.
Silverfiddle: Which companies boycotted Beck for being too right-wing/Christian?
NBC's editing of "VeggieTales" was ridiculous! If NBC didn't know the show was Bible-based, they should have before making the deal with Classic Media.
Josh: I'm glad you like the new layout. As for your comment about "coming clean", please tell me that was a joke.
"All faiths should be respected, be they the ones you named. Buddhism, Shinto, etc etc etc."
Why should "all faiths" be respected?
I finally made it to your blog. :)
It wasn't just Lowe's that pulled their ads, 64 companies pulled their ads from dying show, they were losing money.
And why is CAIR only bother Lowe's, gee I wonder? Could it be that out of those 64 companies, Lowe's is Jewish owned? I don't know, but I have my suspicions.
I strongly disagree with your assessment that Islam is related to Judaism or Christianity. Muslims worship the God Allah, and the true living God of the Holy Bible is Jehovah God whom we worship. There are vast differences in the religions and belief. No way is there any kind of correlation.
Leticia: Thanks for stopping by. Because I enjoy hearing from people whose views are different than mine, I hope to see you back here.
The reason that Lowe's pulled their ads had nothing to do with ratings. Their spokesperson admitted the decision was based on "concerns, complaints or issues from multiple sides of the viewer spectrum".
I think you're reaching with your suspicions that CAIR targeted Lowe's because it's Jewish owned. I believe CAIR took action because they see Lowe's decision to pull its ads as a form of religious bigotry.
Since I didn't write this post, I'll let the author (Monique) respond to your comments regarding what she said about the relation of Islam to other religions.
Monique: Because of my stance on Fox "News", I think dmarks comment about them was directed at me. However, I'm not sure why he included that remark here since I thought the title of this post made it clear it wasn't written by me.
Shaw asked: "Why should "all faiths" be respected?"
Because some of us aren't religious bigots. Don't worry, I am including Atheism as one of the faiths deserving of respect.
"Dmarks, what are you getting at by bringing in Fox News? Because if you think I watch MSNBC all of the time just by what my post sounds like, you're mistaken."
I mentioned it due to an earlier discussion, yes. Regarding how Marcus' boycott support indicates an anti-free-speech intention. I for one don't diss news channels just because they do not share my ideology. No quotes around the word news are ever necessary.
dmarks: If you're going to talk about me, at least get my name right. Who the hell is Marcus?!
When Fox "News" becomes a legit organization, I'll drop the quotes.
Monique, while I respect your opinion, I feel obligated as a believer in Jesus Christ, to correct you on one very important difference, there is only one way to get to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. You see it is through His redeeming blood that we are saved, and it is only through Him, that we can be with our Heavenly Father, Jehovah God.
Malcolm. I am sorry I got your name wrong..
"When Fox News becomes a legit organization, I'll drop the quotes."
It already is. Just like MSNBC, CNN, Pacifica, Newsmax, HuffPo, etc etc etc.
The cutesy and incorrect name for a news organization despised by some for not being ideologically correct reminds me those on the right who called CNN "Clinton News Network".
dmarks: My feelings about Fox "News" have nothing to do with them being "ideologically incorrect". I couldn't care less about them having a conservative bent to their coverage.
Although I had planned on writing a guest post at Shaw's blog about Fox, I'm going to do it here instead since I've widened the scope of this blog. As for when I write this post, that's up in the air.
I did notice that the Turn Off Fox movement that you link to wants Fox News wiped out for "Race baiting".
I wonder if they want the same for MSNBC bashing Herman Cain for his supposed "predatory black sexuality".
Dmarks: You and I have an entirely different definition of what constitutes race baiting. We've gone down this road before; it's pretty much a dead end.
Perhaps 'baiting' is a mild term. An MSNBC talking head outright saying that Herman Cain represents the threat of black sexuality is beyond baiting. It is outright racism, and you can't weasel out of this. Despite your standards which apparently excuse racism if it is directed by leftists against black conservatives. My standards are higher: I don't consider the party or ideological affiliation of the racist or perpetrators.
Racism is the real dead end.
dmarks: You can continue distorting what Toure said all you want. I heard what he said and I don't think it was race baiting, outright racism, or anything of the sort.
One thing I can't stand is when people make false accusations about me. I couldn't care less about ideology when it comes to race baiting/racism. Here are two links to illustrate my point:
http://diversityink.blogspot.com/2010/07/uncle-lebrons-cabin-as-told-by-jesse.html
http://diversityink.blogspot.com/2011/08/pat-buchanan-calls-president-obama-your.html
You are more than welcome to continue contributing to the discussions at Progressive Soup. However, I do ask that you get your facts straight before making assumptions about me.
Also, if you haven't already, please read the Comments Policy (esp. #s 2, 5, and 10) for Progressive Soup:
https://sites.google.com/site/diversityink/
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