IT’S TIME TO STOP ‘HATIN’ ON MUSLIMS IN WASHINGTON
I really thought things were going to be materially better for people with “funny” names like mine when Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) came to Washington. And they have been.
Since he’s been here I have noticed an appreciable mellowing of people on the telephone. I’ve gone from typically hearing the indignant “who!!?” whenever I would leave my name, to a curious “will you spell that please?” nowadays.
So, as a Muslim, who has encountered my fair share of religious bigotry, I thought things would be similarly better when the first Muslim was elected to Congress – especially one with a “normal” name.
No such luck.