Jamillah Karim Lecture Response

Jamillah Karim's lecture focused on the African American Muslim experience in America. She also came to my Intercultural studies class later and spoke more about this subject on a more personal level. She has a book coming out that she read excerpts from about her experiences and conversations with other Muslims. She spoke about the Muslim community challenging racism in their religious community. She quoted, "We see America's future as our future." Then she commented on this, "America should see American Muslim's future as our future." I do not think she is saying that America is going to become completely Muslim in the future but that America should look at the successes of transcending race in the Muslim community and carry it out in the entire country.
Malcom X's quote seemed to be to be the clearest in stating the goal and hopefully the reality of the Muslim community: "One religion that erases the race problem...brotherhood with people of all races irrelevant of race." Dr. Karim said that most Muslims feel at home in America. Despite the difference of the dominant religion in America and their religion, Muslims found acceptance in America. Obviously it is not perfect and there are obstacles to be overcome. For example one big challenge for Muslims is to not be sterotyped as Extremists. I think that her lecture related to Lucy becuase Lucy is a minority in America just as Muslims are and she found acceptance in Mariah and her friends.
Dr. Karim has a couple of books out and one coming out soon. There is a interesting interview with her online.