The Hidden Reality of Discrimination Against White Men: A Broader Perspective on Race, Religion, and Identity
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS, B.S. in Information Technology with Cybersecurity Specialty
Throughout my journey—from a liberal, socialist youth in Iran to an ex-Muslim and eventually to a conservative Christian LDS believer—I've witnessed firsthand the shifting attitudes in American society toward race, religion, and identity. One of the most jarring realizations I had over the years, especially after my immigration to the United States, was the growing trend of discrimination against white men—particularly those who are Christian. This discrimination isn't confined to white Christians alone, however; it extends to Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and even those considered "heathens" or "pagans." The left-wing social movements of today seem to dismiss the value and dignity of these groups, choosing instead to label all white men under one umbrella of privilege and oppression.
The White Male Scapegoat
As a former leader of the Muslim Forum of Utah and the Executive Director of CAIR-Columbus, I spent a significant portion of my life advocating for minority rights. However, I now find it perplexing and, quite frankly, frustrating, that the very same groups I once fought for now find themselves increasingly vilified by the very movements that once claimed to champion them. The concept of "whiteness" in America has become a political tool, used to assign blame and guilt to an entire race of people, particularly white men, despite the diverse backgrounds of those who are labeled as such.
We often hear that white men are "privileged" and are responsible for systemic oppression. While I acknowledge that systemic inequality exists in various forms, I cannot ignore the reality that discrimination now flows in the opposite direction. White men, particularly those who are religious (Christian or Jewish) or of Middle Eastern, North African, or European descent, are increasingly vilified in public discourse. Many people who identify as white in census data or government forms are being subjected to ideological attacks simply because of their skin color, often without regard for their individual backgrounds or beliefs.
The Shifting Landscape of Identity: From Iran to America
Growing up in Iran, I witnessed firsthand the deeply ingrained divisions between ethnic groups, religions, and sects. While the term "Persian" was often used to refer to the dominant ethnic group in Iran, the country was (and still is) home to a wide variety of ethnicities, including Kurds, Azeris, Arabs, and Armenians. Yet, despite these differences, we were all grouped under the same broad "Caucasian" umbrella. Interestingly, when I came to America, I was shocked to discover that the same "Caucasian" label applied to me, too.
People from West Asia (including Iranians), North Africa (such as Arabs and Berbers), and Europe (including those of Mediterranean, Slavic, and Germanic origins) are all considered Caucasian. This might be surprising to many, especially when we consider the significant cultural, religious, and historical differences between these groups. In fact, these distinctions are often lost in American discourse, where the term "white" has become synonymous with European heritage, particularly Anglo-Saxon, rather than reflecting a more complex, multicultural reality.
For instance, in the eyes of many, a person from Iran, such as myself, is labeled "white" on government forms, despite the fact that our culture, history, and religion are radically different from those of a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Yet, in the broader societal conversation about race, Iranians, along with other Middle Easterners, are often not considered “truly” white. This double-edged sword of being "white" by form but "non-white" by culture and appearance is a reality that many of us, including Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and even pagans or heathens, have come to realize.
Discrimination Against White Men and Religious Minorities
White men, particularly those who adhere to Christianity, are increasingly the targets of cultural and ideological criticism. White Christians are often accused of being the architects of societal ills, from slavery to colonialism, to patriarchy and inequality. While it's undeniable that history is filled with injustice and oppression committed by people of all races, cultures, and religions, the selective blaming of one group—white men—ignores the complexities of these historical contexts.
Interestingly, this form of discrimination extends beyond just white Christians. Many of us who fall into the "Caucasian" category but are from religious or cultural backgrounds that don't align with mainstream Western values find ourselves in an uncomfortable position. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists who are from regions like the Middle East, North Africa, or South Asia may be considered white on paper, but are often not viewed as "real" white people in the eyes of mainstream society. This creates a subtle form of exclusion, as we are not always fully accepted within the "privileged" class, even if we technically fit the criteria of being Caucasian.
For example, as a Muslim-born Iranian, I lived under the Islamic Republic's oppressive regime before I embraced Christianity. The narrative of the oppressed Middle Eastern or Muslim is often pushed in Western media. However, as a person who is technically "white" by American standards, I do not fit the racial categories or the racial victimhood narrative. This has placed me in a unique position of being on the periphery of several communities and being judged for not fitting neatly into one identity box.
A Call for Unity in a Divided Society
In today's polarized society, it's crucial to recognize that discrimination is not a one-sided issue. White men, along with other religious and cultural minorities, are often the targets of ideologically-driven narratives that ignore the diverse and complex realities of identity. While racism and prejudice are real, it's important to remember that the goal of combating discrimination should not be to reverse the oppressions of the past, but to foster equality, understanding, and mutual respect for all individuals—regardless of their race, religion, or cultural background.
In conclusion, the growing trend of discrimination against white men, particularly Christians and religious minorities, should not be overlooked. Those of us from West Asia, North Africa, and Europe who are labeled "white" are often left in a limbo where we face exclusion from both sides of the racial divide. The key to solving these issues is to reject the simplistic, binary view of race and identity that defines us by superficial characteristics like skin color, and instead, embrace the richness of our shared human experience.
Citations:
- DiAngelo, Robin. White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Beacon Press, 2018.
- McWhorter, John. Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America. Portfolio, 2021.
- Harris, David. The End of White America?. New York University Press, 2009.
- Siddiqui, S. Race, Religion, and Identity in America: Middle Eastern Immigrants and American Muslims. University of California Press, 2017.
- Brown, Gillian. Ethnic Identity in the 21st Century: Race, Religion, and Nationalism. Cambridge University Press, 2020.
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