I’ll start off by saying that I watched the TLC show All-American Muslim before this controversy even started. I was intrigued because Dearborn has a special place in my heart. I worked there quite a bit during my youth. I spent my university years there. I went to the restaurants and bars there. As a result of spending so much time there, I took it as a given that I’d be exposed to Middle Eastern people and their culture.
The one episode that I saw was where the Fordson High School coach was invited by the White House to celebrate the Iftar. I also saw another’s journey to start wearing the hijab and a story of converting to Islam for love. I was fascinated by watching some of the issues discussed that are universal to many other ethnicities.
This is why I was extremely shocked when I heard about how Lowe’s decided to pull advertising from All-American Muslim, as the result of the Florida Family Association’s efforts. From what I have read, the FFA is concerned about the show’s supposed hidden agenda. Was I missing something? I was learning about the experiences of another minority. These experiences are something that I am extremely familiar with.
I do think that the FFA thinks that they’re coming from a good place. In their About Us section, they say they want to “…Educate people on what they can do to defend, protect and promote traditional, biblical values.”
One of the principles that I have tried to live up to is acceptance. I believe in letting people live their lives in a way they see fit, so long as they are violating no laws and not presenting a danger to their community. If somebody wants to wear a hijab, why should I care? If somebody wants to convert to Islam or any other religion, what business is it of mine? It’s not my business and it’s not really that of the FFA either.
I applaud the Lowe’s boycott. If they were really that afraid of what could happen from advertising on AAM, then they shouldn’t have advertised. To see them pull out makes me question their dedication to diversity and inclusion. Either they are or they’re not.
In writing this piece, I’m exercising my rights as an American just as the FFA are. I will not dictate to anyone how to live their life. However, there are some well-intentioned people that don’t follow this path. The danger is in not knowing where to draw the line. Once we start cramming our beliefs down someone else’s throat is when we cease to be American.
Author: José A. Rodríguez
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