WASM: Reflections of a White American Muslim

WASM, White Anglo-Saxon Muslim, this is my identity.  This is in opposition to the predominate category in the US of WASP, White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.  My hope in this brief article is to articulate some of what it means to me, and what I can glean from those around me as to what it means to them.  Before I start, I would like to point out that wasm(وسم) in Arabic is a brand that shows tribal affiliation, like what we would put on cattle.  If we take it as وصم instead, which would also be valid considering the single 's' sound in English, and the two in Arabic, then it means a disgrace.  I feel that both of these are fitting, for reasons I hope to make clear.


First, if we go with the line of though that it is a brand, then it very much is so.  My status as what I am gives me special considerations on both sides of the fence.  Without making myself known, I am a member of the predominant power group in this country.  My face marks me along with those who have done both great and horrible things.  We have conquered the world, and what is beyond it, as well as subjugating it in our waIt brings a robustness to life that we would not otherwise have.  ke.  I am one of them.  On the other side, I fulfil the immigrant's dream.  I am the one that has come over.  I am looked at as something special, and a prize won among those who do not share my racial background, but do share my faith.  I am one of the other who has seen the light of God, and chosen to follow it.  My existence helps to legitimize their message.


Second, if we go with the second term, then I equally fulfil this role.  I have betrayed my people.  I have abandoned their way of life.  I am one of those who are opposed to them.  I am a terrorist, or have at least gained that potentiality, in their eyes.  I am the traitor in their midst.  I am to be suspected even more so because I have turned my back on the American way, and have not only embraced the other, as the liberals may do, but have engulfed myself in it.


Both of these are apt, not only for myself, but for all of those WASMs out there.  We wear our mark on our faces, and in our souls.  To some we are ones to laud, and to others we are a disgrace.  But, we have feet firmly planted on both sides.  We can no more take our backgrounds out of ourselves than we can submerge ourselves into the backgrounds of others.


This still leaves a question.  What does this all mean to me, and what reaction should I have?  As a conscientious person with my racial background, I bear the white-man's burden.  I recognize the evils that my people have perpetrated against people all across the globe, and the way we have subjugate my adopted people, especially.  As a Muslim, I recognize the necessity of justice, and the oneness of all of humanity.  I recognize the need to bring harmony to life. When my compatriots see me as a traitor, or my brothers in faith as terrorists, just because of my faith, I weep inside, and sometimes on the outside.  When I see people across the globe perpetrating violence in the name of God, and Islam, I weep just as heavily, if not more so. 

Am I a terrorist? No, but neither are the overwhelming majority of Muslims.  I shouldn't have to justify myself, nor should any other Muslim.  It is not my burden to prove anything to anyone who chooses to live in ignorance.


Am I a traitor?  No, I care deeply about the state of my country, and don't wish harm upon it.  Again, I am not even close to alone in this. 


What I have gained is a unique perspective.  I am not a part of that power majority, not any longer.  I have subjugated myself to God, and in the process, I have lost that status.  Despite this, my tribal affiliation is still written on my face.  I am marked.  I am disgraced, but not for the reasons that others may see.  I am disgraced by those who share my tribal mark, and perpetrate violence against those who share my faith, despite their tribal mark being different.  Islam came to wipe away tribalism, yet the Qur'an recognizes the differences between them.  It brings a robustness to life that we would not otherwise have.  I am disgraced by my co-religionists who commit acts of violence in the name of God, and in the name of faith.  I am disgraced by the racism of my tribe that shuts out the other, and the racism of the other that holds me aloft. 


I am now the minority in both of my groups.  I feel my minority status.  I understand the minority status of others better than I ever could have before.  I have been discriminated against, forced out of jobs, and treated poorly because of my status.  I know how this feels, and this is something that most in my tribal group never have to worry about.


How does all of this make me feel?  I at times feel distressed.  I at times am completely at ease.  During periods of time I have felt more of the former than the latter, but the more I submit myself to my Creator, the more I feel the latter.  See, the thing that Islam brings with it is the need for contentment.  We Muslims must be content with the will of God that is manifest around us.  It is not our place to question it, rather it is our responsibility to react appropriately to the situation at hand.


It is with this in mind that I write this. I am OK if you feel disgraced by me.  I am OK if you think I am your prize convert.  I am OK with these because I am neither.  I am no disgrace, and I am no prize.  I am a poor servant of God who wants no more than the sweetness of Your Noble Face.  I hope the best for humanity, and the rest of God's creation.  I hope this gives you a moment to reflect upon how we look at each other.  I hope this gives you a moment to contemplate what the appropriate reaction is to the situation we find ourselves in.