how do you think an average american's perception of muslims/arab americans are created
Most people view other ethnic groups on the basis of their own personal experiences, their friends' and family's experiences, the community's perceptions, and the media.
If a person doesn't know any Muslims and he and his/her family has no contact with Muslims, then this person relies on community perceptions and the media. Without direct personal information, most people think of Muslims in connection with Middle Eastern conflicts, Shiite and Sunni civil war in Iraq, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., cruel and inhumane Shara (sp?) laws in Africa, and the genocide in Darfur. Although Muslim/Arab Americans aren't directly involved in these outrages, it's very difficult for the average American to separate the world news from the peaceful Muslim/Arab Americans.
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