First, asking Muslims not to build a mosque in lower Manhattan is closer to asking African-Americans to not use the N-word because it offends us than it is to the reverse. Just as the N-word is a symbol that represents a certain group of people, a mosque is a symbol that represents Muslims and Islam. However, rather than allowing Muslims to control the connotative meaning of “mosque” (as African-Americans control the meaning of the N-word), we are opting to define it ourselves. Even though many people will admit that the majority of the world’s 1.57 billion Muslims are peaceful, we are essentially refusing those Muslims the right to define their own religion to the world. Out of pain, fear, and anger, we are telling our Muslim neighbors, “We know that most of you are peaceful, but we will still choose to see your mosques as a representation of a religion that you do not actually follow.” We are punishing them for a crime they did not commit or condone.

Second, the use of the N-word serves no other purpose than to degrade another person, and if you grew up in the United States, then you understand that it is extremely offensive. In other words, being told not to say it is kind of like being told not to steal. It is generally clear that doing so is wrong in any context, and so nobody is really surprised that we have been told not to do it. The motivations for building a mosque, however, are not so one-dimensional and predictable. While using the N-word inherently condones a negative perception of African-Americans, the same cannot be said about the connection between building a mosque and anti-American sentiments. As a result, the comparison is flawed.

I apologize that it has taken so many words to get my point across, but it is essentially that we are punishing Muslims for a crime they did not commit and have even condemned. It is clear that people have suffered deeply due to the atrocious 9/11 attacks, and as a result they live in anger and fear. But that is really not the way forward. The situation is less about whether they have the right to build a mosque than it is about whether we are willing to let go of our fear and misguided anger.

And for those who were looking to James to be the next MJ, you need to look further. What about this year’s draft picks. Anyone?