21/09/16 - Typecast as a Terrorist

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/15/riz-ahmed-typecast-as-a-terrorist

The question is disturbing not only because it endangers artistic expression, but because it suggests our security services don’t quite grasp the nature of the terror threat we all face. A training presentation outlining Al-Qaida’s penchant for “theatrical” attacks may have been taken a little literally.

The article is based on the struggle Riz Ahmed has faced particularly with airport security based on judgements based on his appearance. Ahmed follows a young in cheek recollection of his time mainly in airports and how he is almost always held back to be investigated because people assume that he is linked to terrorism. It highlights changes within society that have been amplified by 9/11 where certain Asians and Europeans are automatically presumed to be terrorists and how many commit unlawful acts that do effect the victims lives.

o 1,700 percent increase of hate crimes against Muslim Americans between 2000 to 2001 (after 9/11)

oTwenty-five percent of participants reported verbal assaults, 22 percent reported workplace discrimination, 19 percent reported unprovoked interrogation by government agents and 19 percent reported physical assaults. (out of 102 Muslims living in New York)

Personally I think that not enough people talk about targeted hate towards certain groups in the news,  the hate that has been caused by certain individuals and has resulted in everyone being ridiculed. So Ahmed being talking about this and sending things to journalists, despite taking a more comedic approach, is a good first approach at attempting to show people the truth that most ignore. However the more comedic approach that he has took could easily be misunderstood by the audience and suggest that the issue is minuscule which it evidently is not.