How President Bush Responded to Hate Crimes After 9/11
In light of the recent acts of domestic terrorism in the United States, we share with you how another President handled a similar situation.
In light of the recent acts of domestic terrorism in the United States, we share with you how another President handled a similar situation.
Written by Caleigh Ann DeCaprio
Although the Bush administration experienced the largest increase of hate crimes overall, as well as those directed at Muslims and Middle Easterners, as a result of the 9/11 backlash, he was not silent on the matter and was intentional in his efforts to stop the issue.
One way this was done was through his “Islam is Peace” speech, given only six days after the attacks on New York and Washington, at the Islamic Center of Washington D.C. Given the topic at hand and the location is chosen, this speech was clearly given with the intention of bridging the gap between Muslims and the rest of American society by giving a more clear understanding of Islam to those that we’re making poor associations between the religion and the terrorist attacks that took place a week prior.
Bush may have fallen short of this goal by not explaining far enough the difference between what was considered to be ‘good Islam and ‘bad Islam, the intentions of the speech are clear. There were clear intentions to shine a positive light on the religion of Islam.
“These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And it’s important for my fellow Americans to understand that...the face of terror is 73 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.”
— President Bush in his “Islam is Peace” speech six days post-9/11
While it was important and necessary for the President to speak positively about Islam, it was not done in a clear way that people would understand the difference between the Islam practiced by the terrorists who committed the acts on 9/11, and the Islam practiced by the overwhelming majority of Muslims. Bush would go on to make a few statements that point directly to the issue of the outbreak of hate crimes targeted at Muslims over the week that passed since the attacks.
To those that are targeted, Bush states that “women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must not be intimidated in America.”
In addition, Bush says that he has “been told that some fear to leave; some don’t want to go shopping for their families; some don’t want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, they’re afraid they’ll be intimidated.”
To those that are committing hate crimes that are causing fear among Muslims, Bush states that “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 behavior.”
Full Text of the Speech “Islam is Peace”
Delivered by President George Bush six days after 9/11 in response to a wave of hate crimes
Thank you all very much for your hospitality. We've just had a -- wide-ranging discussion on the matter at hand. Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday's attacks. And so were Muslims all across the world. Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.
These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And it's important for my fellow Americans to understand that.
The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that, they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.
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.
When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world. Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace. And that's made brothers and sisters out of every race -- out of every race.
America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads. And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.
Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes. Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America. That's not the America I know. That's not the America I value.
I've been told that some fear to leave; some don't want to go shopping for their families; some don't want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, they're afraid they'll be intimidated. That should not and that will not stand in America.
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.
This is a great country. It's a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity and human worth. And it is my honor to be meeting with leaders who feel just the same way I do. They're outraged, they're sad. They love America just as much as I do.
I want to thank you all for giving me a chance to come by. And may God bless us all.
Excerpt Source:
DeCaprio, Caleigh Ann, "From Terrorist Attack to Presidential Rhetoric to Hate Crimes: Is Stochastic Violence the Change That Links Them All?" (2020). Senior Projects Spring 2020. 139. https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2020/139
