Should NPR Have Fired Juan Williams for Anti-Muslim Comments?

Commentary by Andre Michael Eggelletion

Should National Public Radio have fired talk show host and news analyst Juan Williams for saying people wearing Muslim garb on a plane makes him nervous? The statement was made on Bill O'Reilly's show "The O'Reilly Factor" which is carried on Fox News where Williams also works as an analyst. According to NPR's website, being closely branded with the conservative prime time shows on Fox News has long been a “sore point with NPR News executives."

The remarks occurred when Bill O'Reilly was talking with Williams about the controversial remarks O'Reilly made on the "The View" about Muslims. "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Williams said.

I don’t think that Williams is alone in his anxiety. Islamophobia has taken root in America to the degree that even some members of congress are afraid that our president is a Muslim usurper because of his name. I acknowledge that the attacks of 911 traumatized this nation, causing many Americans to be afraid to take a flight with a passenger that looked Middle Eastern no matter how they were dressed. Anticipating an anti-Muslim backlash in the foggy aftermath of 911, former President George W. Bush went out of his way to stress that Osama bin Laden did not represent all Muslims. He suggested while in office that it would be a victory for al Qaeda if Americans turned against Islam. "We respect your faith," Mr. Bush said back then, speaking directly to Muslims. "It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans. And by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful. And those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah."

Nonetheless, the recent statements of Williams, O’Reilly, and Fox and Friends Brian Kilmeade who stated that “not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims,” are a paranoid over generalization of Muslims. In the final analysis, if this nation gives in to the lesser angels of its nature and becomes too fearful of any group because of the deeds of a few, then the evil few have won. I believe we are stronger than that.