Ohio State University Attack And The Truth About Trump’s ‘Muslim Ban’ [Opinion]
The Ohio State University attack was carried out by an 18-year-old Ohio State student who came to the United States from Somalia. According to New York Daily News, the now deceased perpetrator’s name is Abdul Artan.
Of course, once the public got word of where the person behind the Ohio State University attack was from, speculation about his motive began, with much of it revolving around these three words: radical Islamic terrorism.
#OhioState OSU jihadist Abdul Razak Artan Facebook declaration: "I am willing to kill a billion infidels" pic.twitter.com/TpXpyeazgk
— Patrick Poole (@pspoole) November 29, 2016
Is it unfair to assume that just because this young man came from Somalia, which is located in the region where 20 percent of the world’s population of Muslims live, that he might be a terrorist? Yes, it probably is unfair. In Somalia, the Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab has been causing terror for years, and ISIS has begun claiming territory, but does this mean he supported their cause?
However, as the Ohio State University attack can attest, these are the times we are now living in. We must cast doubt upon a large group of mostly innocent people in order to single out the culpable among them, which is exactly the point Donald Trump wanted to make when he first proposed the Muslim immigration ban.
Admittedly, it was not the best idea for him to actually say the words, “ban Muslims from United States,” in the same sentence, which is one of the things that separates Trump from career politicians. He says what he means, not what he thinks you want to hear.
The president-elect’s website outlines his plans, and nowhere does it say anything about banning a specific religion from entering the U.S. Instead, it specifies that he will toughen our immigration laws in order to make it more difficult for dangerous people, like Ohio State University attack culprit Abdul Artan, from gaining entry into the U.S.
“Vet applicants to ensure they support America’s values, institutions and people, and temporarily suspend immigration from regions that export terrorism and where safe vetting cannot presently be ensured.”
“Suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening cannot occur, until proven and effective vetting mechanisms can be put into place.”
These are two points of “Donald J. Trump’s Vision” regarding immigration.
“Suspend” is not the same as “ban” or “prohibit” or “discontinue,” as the latter three possess a ring of permanence, but suspension is almost always a temporary matter. Trump does not trust America’s vetting process to keep its citizens safe from those who wish us harm, and why should he? It has obviously failed, as proven by the Ohio State University attack.
A lot of folks are incredibly misinformed when it comes to Donald Trump’s policies, especially those having to do with Western society’s minorities, and much of this misinformation comes via the media, both mainstream and alternative.
Attacked because he had marriage equality & rainbow stickers & Trump says we can kill gays now ? https://t.co/bCBw7sqbyf
— Trai-All (@trai_all) November 26, 2016
I am one of the Trump supporters who believes moderate Muslims should be able to seek asylum in Western nations, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, and I trust the president-elect to figure out some kind of solution that can both help those in need and keep Americans safe.
The Ohio State University attack has renewed the debate between the American people when it comes to Donald Trump’s stance on Muslim immigration. Are his plans warranted, or is he going too far?
[Featured Image by John Minchillo/AP Images]
