21st Annual Student Research Conference
The Reality of Fear: How Hysteria has Further Dissolved U.S. Relations with the Islamic World
Andrew P. Kindiger
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
By indulging in hysteria, the United States is exceedingly susceptible to having the ideology of its citizens transformed irrationally. James Seilsopour explains in his essay "I Forgot the Words to the National Anthem," that he considered himself to be an American even though his father was from Iran, until he read "Piss on Iran" from a bumper sticker in his high school parking lot during the Iranian Revolution. America, especially in times of turmoil, begins to justify hysteria as rational behavior when interpreting a nation's ideals and beliefs based on isolated situations. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, even more tension was created between Muslim and Arab communities. Americans' continued ignorance towards the Middle East has transcended the tension politics has created, and has further exacerbated frustrations in the relationship between the United States and the Islamic World.
Keywords: Islam, Iran, Seilsopour, America, hysteria, Muslim, Arab, Anthem
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 47-4
Location: OP 2121
Time: 3:30