By Noe Ramos |Staff Writer| Students, faculty, and community members gathered to discuss "Who Are the Refugees?", a panel event focused on bringing awareness and attention to the refugee crisis. The event took place in the College of Education on Feb. 21 and was hosted by the Center of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and sponsored by the University Diversity Committee, the Department of Communication Studies, the Mediterranean Studies Academy, and the Muslim Students Association. The key points discussed in the panel were who were the refugees, why do they come here, what are some of the challenges that they face, and how do they come the United States. The three guest … [Read more...] about Who Are the Refugees?
Islamophobia
Professors talk Islamophobia
By Josh Adamson |Staff Writer| Suspicion towards Islam and anti-Muslim hate crimes are increasing across the US. Such actions were recently seen in the arrest of three men who allegedly planned to use a weapon of mass destruction to target Somali immigrants in western Kansas. “Social surveys indicate we are experiencing the highest level of anti-Muslim prejudice in recent history, with Muslims representing the most disdained religious faith in the United States,” stated Brian Levin, director of the CSUSB Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. Hate crimes against Muslims rose by 89 percent in 2015, according to an article by Levin in The Huffington Post. Levin anticipates … [Read more...] about Professors talk Islamophobia
The University and the Declining of Western Civilization
By Daniel DeMarco |Copy Editor| Critical thinking is a foundational element of academic education, and in providing that, our colleges are failing us. College is supposed to be a place for the sharing of ideas and open discussion and debate in which any view is open for challenge or questioning. If any place, it should be in our establishments of higher education that issues and various topics are encouraged to be talked about intelligently and without barriers of censorship or fear of trespassing upon what is deemed politically correct. Do not mistake me, there is plenty of encouragement to partake in discussion and ask questions, but you better make sure they’re the “right” … [Read more...] about The University and the Declining of Western Civilization
Media creates Islamophobia hype
By Jacob Collins |Asst. Online Editor| A triple homicide over a parking space is hardly newsworthy enough for national mass media coverage and at best is a local news story. However throw in buzzwords like "Islamophobia," "terrorism" and "hate crime" and now you have a juicy story that will be broadcast around the world. I don't mean to diminish the value of the lives of the murder victims. Any murder is a heinous act that is both a tragedy for the victims and the families of the victims involved. Craig Hicks is accused of killing three Muslim students at the apartment complex where both Hicks and the victims of the murder lived. The motives of the murder range from parking … [Read more...] about Media creates Islamophobia hype