Elona, you expose many intriguing arguments in respect to the representation of religion in popular culture. Like yourself, I wish to address the issue of American fears of Islam as represented by the media. As Lynch states and as you have addressed, the media can make one aware of the cultural biases towards particular individuals, faiths, race, and so on.
I applaud your effort in applying Lynch's suppositions into the State of Union discussion. The fact that Muslim Americans are seen as "terrorists" and the belief that the majority of Muslim Americans are directly associated with Eastern terrorist groups is unfounded and pathetic. This goes to show how, although some view modern society as a progression, it is lagging behind in its acceptance of human beings. As you have pointed out, Muslims are not the only group that is targeted in the media. In American action films, Russians as well as other eastern and southern Europeans are seen as the enemy. This fact is quite interesting for it makes one question these stereotypes and even the political relationships with these “bad guys.” Considering the fact that the media is very impressionable, it can definitely be dangerous in that it can cause hostility amongst those of different race, religion, nationality, etc.
As a Croatian, I am pretty well versed by the tensions some felt with the political activism against the communist regime. Tensions were felt by Croatians throughout the reign of the communist regime led by Josip Broz Tito. As citizens protested against this oppressive regime, the media documented certain acts of violence for example, and reduced all Croatians to be a certain type of people. What I am saying is that although I am indeed European, there are indeed certain stereotypes that are associated with those who are of Croatian decent. Oppression in the media can be found everywhere, no matter what faith, race, gender and nationality one may be. Lynch masterfully addresses this issue of media being an oppressor and discriminator towards certain individuals or groups of individuals.
An article that explicitly discriminates Croatians is found in Time Magazine which was published on June 5, 1972, entitled, “YUGOSLAVIA: Conspiratorial Croats.” The beginning of this text states, “Continental Europe has no more volatile and troublesome minority than the troublesome Croats of Yugoslavia.” This article is an example of oppression towards certain ethnic groups which is surely not limited to Muslims and Asians.
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