NAACP President Comes To Condoleezza Rice’s Defense Against Arab Media Attacks

Independent Conservative, a black blogger, writes about a recent action by NAACP President Bruce Gordon: "Although I am often critical of them, when the NAACP does something I feel is a good thing I have no problem saying I am glad they spoke up. Rob Redding has this NAACP press release on his site....Gordon said: 'Racism and bigotry is ignorant and a waste of talent and energy no matter who spews it. The Palestinian leaders and Arab press that peddle these juvenile rants and sketches must understand that it does nothing to further their agenda on the world stage and do not represent true principles of Islam or teachings in the Koran. They would not tolerate similar statements if uttered by western leaders. It is up to all of us in the global village to respect one another’s culture and individuality and not resort to senseless name-calling and useless rhetoric when the real work of peace and equality remains. To continue is to dishonor the lives lost on the both sides of conflicts in the Middle East."

Independent Conservative continues his commentary: "Although I don’t think he should have used the 'principles of Islam or teachings in the Koran' clause. I always think it’s interesting when people who don’t follow a certain faith attempt to tell people within that faith what their faith teaches. Allow those in the cult of Islam to tell their 'brothers' what their cult teaches. Given how they treat women in nations under Islamic law I’d be careful to speak about the 'true principles' of Islam. Considering the past rift between Mfume and Bond over Dr. Rice and the fact Mfume is out, it is good to see the new guy in as President is not a total pawn of that organization’s nutty Chairman. In response to criticism, the Arab media is suddenly talking about freedom of the press. (That article includes the racist cartoon of Rice pregnant with a monkey.) We know what happened when Arab Muslims saw some cartoons they felt were offensive. They are getting the meaning of 'freedom of the press' really confused. While the press is free to publish what they wish, that does not mean that no one can complain. Muslims called for laws in Western countries to ban such cartoons from publication. Nobody is calling for such from Muslim nations. Although we have no problem saying when something they publish is foolish."

My response: good move by Mr. Gordon, because the Arab media attacks have been quite racist. However, I strongly disagree with Mr. Gordon that such attacks by Arab Muslims do not reflect Islamic teachings. Clearly he has not read the Hadith vol. 9, nos. 162, 163 - the oral traditions of Muhammad - where Muhammad asserts that dreaming about a black woman is a sign of bad things to come.