A cartoon was seen on display on the fifth floor of Mendocino Hall. It showed Muslim men reading a letter that read, “To the Taliban: Give us Osama Bin Laden or we?ll send your women to college.” The cartoon also shows the Muslim men or “Taliban” with incredible shock on their faces.. Another couple of cartoons similar to this one were also displayed.

Most people who pass by this cartoon may laugh at it. As a Muslim, I became angry. Not because the Taliban or Bin Laden were being ridiculed, but because an entire religion was mocked. Islam and Muslims are not and should not be a topic of humor nor should it be a religion or people to be prejudice against. Ignorance should be cured with knowledge.

What is so funny about Islam? The fact that the deaths of about 3000 people on 9-11 is being attributed to the second largest religion in the world or that Muslims around the globe are victims to mass starvations, famine and war both amongst themselves as well as from external forces?

Islam and the Muslims are not the only ill-humored topic on display. Women are being degraded as well with one cartoon of a naked lady that points to all her body parts and states, “It?s hers,” and another arrow pointed at the vagina stating, “That?s not.” Funny? What do most women think about this cartoon?

How about another one that had a bunch of animals in heaven with an angry man in a robe and slippers drawn as God saying, “Hmmm, not bad, not bad at all. I guess I?d better make something to eat you guys,” and at the bottom it read, “God creates the herbivores.” That cartoon may not offend those who are not religious, but what about the Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and other people who follow a religion who happen to pass by this cartoon? Other than the cartoon stating (God-Forbid) that God is ignorant and slow, there are no other points nor is it the very least humorous; perhaps for the ignorant minds it maybe the case.

Why do we have to mock at certain people, groups, etc to add some humor in our lives? Can?t we live like the mature college students and professors that we are? Or is it simply displaying inner hatred within ourselves through comedy so that people do not get offended and, when criticized, one cay say, “It was only a cartoon; a joke.”

Rather than posting these meaningless cartoons, why can?t we display pictures or the words of such people as Martin Luther King or educational, motivational pieces? We can also display humor for those who can?t stay away from it, as I am one. However, without the nasty, filthy, prejudice engraved deep within the cartoons and unfortunately, perhaps, ourselves.