After the “Sweatshirt Scandal” at Edsel Ford led by 15 juniors at the high school, Debbie Schlussel, a well-known blogger/lawyer, had the audacity to categorize all Muslims as supporters of homicide bombings and plane hijackings.

The sweatshirts featured a Class of 2011-themed design on the back with each digit in the number 11 made to look like the buildings. To the right of the towers, a “thunderbird,” the school’s mascot, appears to be flying toward them. The words “You can’t take us down” were printed underneath the design along with nicknames for each student at the top and “Edsel Ford Class of 2011” on the front.

Even though no disciplinary action has yet been taken, Schlussel refuses to believe that no harm was meant by any of the students.
Judging by various Internet message boards, Schlussel has the ability to influence Web surfers into believing that every Muslim had some kind of involvement with the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

There is no need to compromise our integrity by acceptance of this insolent accusation.

The attack was not an act of Islam but an act of ignorance, cruelty and racism. It is unfair to claim that all Muslims are terrorists because of one disgusting crime that was done by a group of people who called themselves “Muslims.”

“Calling all Muslims terrorists is plain ignorance,” said Mariam Abdallah, 9. “It’s like saying all Caucasians were involved in the KKK.”

Many acts of violence in America have been committed by people of other races, colors and/or religions. For example, the Columbine school shooting committed by two Caucasian schoolmates that took away many innocent lives and the shooting at Virginia Tech perpetrated by an Asian man, both of whom were citizens of the United States.

Not to mention the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) whose members were given freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom to protest even when they were wrong.

There are crimes and murders being committed everyday in neighborhoods all over but that does not necessarily mean they were done by Muslims.

“It is wrong and ridiculous to assume that all Muslims are terrorists and it is even more ridiculous for Schlussel to stereotype anyone who is not a part of her race, specifically Muslims,” says Haneen Hmeidan, 11.

For everyone who is a Muslim, it is known that taking an innocent life is unforgettable, unforgiveable and unethical.

Edsel Ford High School is an intellectual and diverse place without judgmental people. It is actually a very accepting school with accepting people who coexist.

Islam Tanana is a student at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn