This page includes quotes from Americans concerning a variety of different occurrences in the past decade dealing with Islamophobia. These quotes/pictures shows an accurate depiction of what the average American might believe.
9/11 aftermath
After 9/11, American animosity towards all Muslims immediately heightened. Consequently, hate crimes and random attacks on Muslims were conducted all over the US.
"Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don't represent the best of America; they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior..." - George W. Bush on the American backlash after 9/11.
"The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war." - George W. Bush
American politicians on Ground Zero mosque...
"Nazis don't have the right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington. We would never accept the Japanese putting up a sight next to Pearl Harbor. There's no reason for us to accept a mosque next to the World Trade Center." - Newt Gingrich
"Islam is a religion of hatred. It is a religion of war. Building the cultural center near Ground Zero means that Muslims will claim now that the World Trade Center property is Islamic Land." - Franklin Graham
What the average American had to say post 9/11
"As far as being prejudiced against them, I'd have to say maybe a little bit. If I were to go through an airport and I saw one out of the corner of my eye, I'd say, 'I wonder what he's thinking.'" - anonymous (probably what a lot of others thought around that time)
"I don't mean to sound harsh or anything, but I don't like what the Muslim people believe in, according to the Koran. Because I think they preach hate." -anonymous
While on the contrary there were those, like Gary McCord, a bus driver who said...
"Some of the best families I've ever had were some of my Muslim families...They were so nice to me."
"I don't mean to sound harsh or anything, but I don't like what the Muslim people believe in, according to the Koran. Because I think they preach hate." -anonymous
While on the contrary there were those, like Gary McCord, a bus driver who said...
"Some of the best families I've ever had were some of my Muslim families...They were so nice to me."
American polls reflect animosity
Because of the recent struggles between America and the Middle-East, it is easily understood why Americans see Muslims (even American Muslims) in such a negative light. These are some statistics taken over the past decade concerning Islamophobia.
"1 out of every 4 Americans affiliate Muslims and the religion of Islam with violence"
"4 out of 10 have an unfavorable view of Islam"
"80% of America either knows little or nothing about Islam"
"4 out of 10 have an unfavorable view of Islam"
"80% of America either knows little or nothing about Islam"
Islam in more recent times
"I made it clear that America is not – and will never be – at war with Islam." - President Barack Obama on the Boston Marathon bombings.
According to many sources, America's negative views on Islam is changing for the better. However instead of illustrating this through more statistics, I found a video that provides an accurate depiction. Of course there are those who still are affected by Islamophobia, but it's clear that more people are beginning to understand that Muslims are not the cause of violence. People need to realize that just because a handful of those in Islam promote the Qur'an as a justification for their violence, it doesn't mean that all of Islam believes that. Interpretation varies and it's easy to infer that every religion has its own minority group of extremists. You do not have to watch the whole video of course, but you should get a sense of how people are starting to feel about Muslims.