Steve Neavling
Motor City Muckraker
Just moments after terrorists struck two locations in Brussels, killing at least 30, social media erupted with outrage, often directed at all Muslims.
It turned nasty on Twitter when #StopIslam began trending with tweets that painted all Muslims as terrorists bent on destroying the world. Many advocated removing all Muslims from the U.S.
But outcry overcame the bigotry in quick and decisive fashion, condemning the hateful remarks and showing support for the vast majority of Muslims who are peaceful, tolerant and oppose terrorism.
The first five tweets are examples of the Islamophobia.
#StopIslam I fucking hate muslims and these little retarded bitches sticking up for them. Anyone who defends them are traitors.
— Ethan Shreve (@SirEthanShreve) March 22, 2016
All United Against Islam
We Do Not Fear The Evil!!#StopIslam pic.twitter.com/MxMzyMPlEn
— Jack Barker (@PatriotBrother) March 22, 2016
Muslims are a disgrace, their Koran orders death to infidels. an if infidel is you, me, Americans, people in #Brussels #StopIslam #Belgium
— Info-chan (@HikaruAsuma) March 22, 2016
The only time you ever hear that “Islam is a religion of peace” is when Muslims have just killed a lot of people.
— Taco (@TacoFetus) March 22, 2016
What could help greatly in protecting America from mad, maniacal, menacing, murderous Muslims? PROFILING! Let’s get on with it.
— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) March 22, 2016
Here are five tweets responding to the hateful remarks.
“I’m a muslim and i’m not a terrorist. Terrorism has no religion. Stop islamophobia, not islam, this hashtag is stupid #stopislam“
— Rafay baloch (@rafaybaloch) March 22, 2016
Being a Muslim doesn’t make you a terrorist.
Being a terrorist doesn’t make you Muslim. Period.#islamispeace #StopIslam
— i follow back bc ily (@NarryMyDream) March 22, 2016
#StopIslam is trending… Really? That is not fair. Terrorism has no religion, just cold, heartless people ?
— Tom Mitchell (@tomxmitchell) March 22, 2016
#StopIslam from being stereotyped and misunderstood by Islamophobic and ignorant racists.
— spencer c (@spxncxrx) March 22, 2016
#StopIslam from being stereotyped and misunderstood by Islamophobic and ignorant racists.
— spencer c (@spxncxrx) March 22, 2016
#StopIslam: How a nasty Twitter trend turned overwhelmingly positive added by Steve Neavling on
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Steve Neavling
Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.
