Anti-Islamophobia: A nuanced portrayal of Syrian refugees in the heart of red-state America
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Stereotypes plague so much news coverage of Muslims in Donald Trump’s America.
I’m talking about negative pieces that attempt to turn every conservative state into a bastion of hatred toward Islam and its followers.
These are the type of stories that take a single case — or a few random incidents — and scream, “Islamophobia!” See examples here, here, here, here and here. Too often, these articles rely on squishy generalizations when what readers really need — and deserve — are hard facts.
So what’s the antidote to such poor journalism?
Well, reporting that focuses on real people — with real context and real nuance — would be a nice place to start.
Speaking of which, the Washington Post (for which I occasionally freelance) featured just such a story on its front page Monday.
Post national writer Robert Samuels enlightens and surprises — both nice traits for a newspaper story — as he paints a portrait of Syrian refugees in a state where nearly three out of five voters supported Trump.
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More of my GetReligion columns (February 2017):
Holocaust Remembrance Day reading: Two survivors find each other, and answers
‘I am still moved and astonished at our special and rare connection.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | AP Religion Writer SOUTHLAKE, Texas (AP) — In George Lucius Salton’s view, it’s nothing short of a miracle. His daughter, Anna Eisen, called him at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with a question that sent his mind racing back 60 years to the hell he survived as a … Continue reading Holocaust Remembrance Day reading: Two survivors find each other, and answers
MLK Day reading: Black, white and Gray
Civil rights attorney who once challenged Lipscomb University in court receives the Christian university’s highest honor. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Second Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Forty-five years ago, civil rights attorney and preacher Fred Gray filed a lawsuit that exposed deep divides between … Continue reading MLK Day reading: Black, white and Gray
Just in time for new year, one state debates ending government-sanctioned marriage
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Way back in 2004 — during Season 6 of the Emmy Award-winning television drama “The West Wing” — a congressman raised the idea of banning marriage. All marriage.
With two-thirds of Americans then opposed to same-sex nuptials, a gay Democrat identified as “Rep. Benoit” proposed getting the government out of the marriage business.
“If the government can’t make it available to everyone, I want us out of the business entirely,” Benoit said to Josh Lyman, chief political adviser in the fictional Josiah Bartlet administration. “Leave it to churches and synagogues, and, of course, casinos and department stores.”
Lyman chuckled and brushed off the suggestion.
Fast-forward more than a decade: A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court has legalized it. And amid ongoing battles pitting gay rights vs. religious liberty, some real-life lawmakers wonder if the answer might be removing the government from the process.
The Associated Press reports on a Missouri legislator’s proposal to do just that.
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More of my GetReligion columns (January 2017):
My top stories, columns and blog posts of 2016
My top stories, columns and blog posts of 2016 Continue reading My top stories, columns and blog posts of 2016
Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — during 2016
These Christians demonstrated faith, hope and love. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I am blessed. As chief correspondent for The Christian Chronicle, I am privileged to tell the stories of Christians living out their faith — often under difficult circumstances. Over the last decade, my travels with the Chronicle have taken me to all 50 states (I finally made it to the … Continue reading Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — during 2016
These were the most popular of my 200 GetReligion posts this year
My Top 10 most-viewed GetReligion posts of 2016 Continue reading These were the most popular of my 200 GetReligion posts this year
For a closed urban church, an alternate ending
Disbanded congregation’s old building purchased by Impact Houston, which plans to expand to a second location. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — Another closed church. Another lost opportunity to serve wounded souls in the inner city. That could have been the story as the Lindale Church of Christ — a once-flourishing congregation in the nation’s fourth-largest city — disbanded in December … Continue reading For a closed urban church, an alternate ending
Five tips for professionals joining a church staff
Experts emphasize the unique rules and dynamics churches face. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today Jennifer Neal wanted to be successful — as a woman, as a mother, and as a financial controller at a multibillion-dollar company. “I was desperately trying to make my mark and have it all,” she said. What Neal didn’t intend was for Jesus, as she put it, … Continue reading Five tips for professionals joining a church staff
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 