“Obama, Being Called a Muslim Is Not a Smear,” Naomi Klein writes in The Nation. Recent “attacks” from Clinton and others to his right have assumed that showing a picture of him in Muslim dress would damage his campaign. Klein clearly challenges this position, and challenges Obama to use the charge to ignite a debate. Instead of spending his time denying the accusation, Obama should denounce the very idea that such an accusation would even be a smear.
The article is bang-on. Klein writes:
As the most visible target of this rising racism, Obama has the power to be more than its victim. He can use the attacks to begin the very process of global repair that is the most seductive promise of his campaign. The next time he’s asked about his alleged Muslimness, Obama can respond not just by clarifying the facts but by turning the tables. He can state clearly that while a liaison with a pharmaceutical lobbyist may be worthy of scandalized exposure, being a Muslim is not. Changing the terms of the debate this way is not only morally just but tactically smart–it’s the one response that could defuse these hateful attacks. The best part is this: unlike ending the Iraq War and closing Guantánamo, standing up to Islamophobia doesn’t need to wait until after the election. Obama can use his campaign to start now. Let the repairing begin.
