Muslims are like X-Men

Growing up one of my favorite cartoons was X-Men. I found it fascinating that people could fly, walk through walls, control fire, manipulate metal, ice, wind, water, read minds, and have countless other superpowers. These people who have superpowers are referred to as mutants in the series. I secretly wanted to be Rogue because she could absorb any other mutant's power and use it herself. But this came with a price, she couldn't touch anyone without hurting them. Her first kiss with a guy put him in a coma. I also liked Rogue because her outfit was green and that is my favorite color.

X-Men, as with most comics, revolves around a battle of good versus evil. Magneto, who can manipulate metals, wishes to eliminate humankind. He believes that humankind and mutantkind cannot live in peace together because humans will never accept mutants. He also believes that mutants are superior to humans. Professor Xavier, who can read and control minds, believes that good will ultimately prevail and humans and mutants can one day live together in peace as long as mutants remain just and patient, learning to control their powers and use them only for good. All the while there are humans who hate and reject mutants as well as those who accept and advocate for them.

Beast is falsely accused of mutant violence and jailed. Even with his
super-strength he refuses to break out and goes through due
trial because he believes truth and justice will prevail. 

Re-watching the series I have realized there are many parallels that can be drawn between X-Men and Muslims nowadays. Professor X and his followers could be considered the vast majority of Muslims who only want to live in peace with everyone else. Magneto and his followers could be considered the minority of misguided extremists or terrorists who claim they are fighting in the way of God, those who do not believe in co-existence.

Since 9/11 there have been increasing amounts of discrimination toward Muslims in America. Since I put on the hijab, the headscarf Muslim women wear, I only personally encountered 2 minor verbal instances of discrimination.

This mutant was harassed because of his looks. Muslims are sometimes
targeted as well for how they look especially when women wear the
hijab or when men rock large beards similar to the one above.

However there have been more serious cases of discrimination. Just recently there was a case of arson against a well-known Muslim in the community suspected to be a hate crime.

Anti-Muslim violence is dangerous and unnecessary. And scary.

So my fellow Muslim Americans, or any other group being discriminated against:

 if you are told

and that

and wonder

remember to

because

Learn more about Islam and Muslims and you will find that although we may seem different, we are human just like everyone else, and only want to live in peace like the mutants. We even share the same Superpower so let's all drop the hate and spread the love.