Hegemony by Fox News
A gun range in Arkansas started a “no Muslim” policy. Fox News covered this story with a hegemonic article called “Gun range’s ban on Muslims draws fire.”
The article starts with optimism for Jan Morgan, the owner of the gun range: “In the five months since Jan Morgan banned Muslims from her gun range in Hot Springs, Ark., business has boomed and predictions of a lawsuit brought by federal civil rights enforcers have so far proved inaccurate” (Fox News, 2015). The article is showing the success that the gun range is having due to banning Muslims. It goes on to say that if it is deemed illegal, Morgan, the gun range owner can make it a private club and continue to ban Muslims. The article seems to be supporting Morgan’s decision by discussing how to keep it legal instead of condemning its orientalist roots. This article is representing Muslims in a monolithic way by suggesting Muslims as threatening and all the same. This is also racist because it is assigning values to Muslims at the accusers benefit (business) at the Muslim’s expense (not being able to shoot at the range).
The Fox News article quotes Morgan saying “I’m not going to let a Nazi shoot in here, or a Ku Klux Klan member in here either” (Fox News, 2015). By comparing Muslims to the Ku Klux Klan and Nazis, Muslims are represented as the other. Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan are groups of people that are members of that group because they believe in the suppression of other people’s rights. Islam is a religion that represents billions of people. A binary opposition is created showing that Muslims are like these violent, immoral groups that are different from the average American.
In the article, Morgan describes her decision: “One mistake can cost another human being’s life…There’s no room for mistakes when you’re handling firearms. We aren’t just refusing to make a wedding cake here” (Fox News, 2015). This quote makes it sound like Muslims are presenting a terrorist threat to the private lives of Americans. It portrays Muslims as dangerous people that can strike anywhere at any time.
The article ends with another quote by Morgan “I am the infidel your Imam warned you about” (Fox News, 2015). This is another way that this article otherizes Muslims. This is a threatening statement to only Muslims because the word “Imam” only applies to them. As non-Muslims read this they realize that this is a threat only to “those dangerous and violent others.” This article does not make the effort to present this story in a counter-hegemonic way. It is important to avoid writing orientalist articles because they may hinder views on Muslims.
Counter Hegemony by The Wonkette
The Wonkette covered the story of Jan Morgan not allowing Muslims to participate on her gun range in a satirical article called “’Muslim-Free’ Gun Range Lady Bans South Asian Dudes, Is Definitely Not Racist.” Using sarcasm and humor, this article presents this story in a counter-hegemonic way.
In the title, the Wonkette makes it clear that this is a racist act. Morgan is assigning Muslims the title of terrorists and using that to their benefit (a belief of safety and increased business). The article sarcastically refers to Morgan as a nice and honest lady because of her questionable actions and views.
The piece goes on to explain Morgan’s philosophy: “Well she’ll have you know that she serves all kinds of people, just not the Muslims because they have a murderousu head cutty-offy relition” (Wonkette, 2015). This sarcasm challenges the binary opposition presented by Morgan that all Muslims are violent killers. It makes Morgan seem ridiculous for thinking these overarching and orientalist thoughts about Islam. The sarcastic quote suggests that like any other religion there are good and bad people as followers. It suggests that a religion cannot be represented monolithically.
The article ends by challenging Americans: “Morgan reports that ‘business is booming’ at her establishment which certainly comes as a surprise. Where on Earth would she find a bunch of people who think she’s some kind of a hero for completely disregarding the Civil Rights Act?” (Wonkette, 2015). This statement points out that Americans are islamophobic, and that is why her business is doing well after this policy’s establishment. Americans are continually under the feeling of a having a terrorist threat from Muslims to their private lives. This makes them afraid of Muslims and it makes them appreciate policies that lead to more comfort. This is also challenging the binary opposition and the way Americans think of Muslims as the other because it is unreasonable to fear Muslims in daily lives. This article is upset with Jan Morgan’s policy for her gun range and the reaction of her customers to that policy. It is presented in a counter-hegemonic way because it challenges the dominant view of the perceptions on Muslims in America.
Citations
Charlie Hebdo has history of angering Muslims with cartoons. (2015, January 7). Fox News.
Ohlheiser, A. (2015, January 14). Let's check in with the 'Muslim-free' gun range in Arkansas. Washington Post.
Seymour, R., & Peries, S. (2015, January 8). Charlie Hebdo, Islamophobia and the Freedom of Expression. The Real News.
Zoom, D. (2015, January 15). 'Muslim-Free' Gun Range Lady Bans South Asian Dudes, Is Definitely Not Racist. Wonkette.
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