The word “Muslim” has become polarized in society and a matter of politicization, especially when attached to the word “American." More and more Americans believe that the two words can’t fit together and that they are paradoxical in nature.

This, in itself, is incorrect. Being Muslim American is a unique experience, and the blend of cultures and practices can be difficult to maintain sometimes, but it is certainly rewarding and fulfilling. Take it from the following people — both Muslim American and non-Muslim.

1. Being Muslim American is "to be adaptive, to learn how to deal with the ever-changing western society, while still holding true to the fundamental Muslim roots instilled in our minds for generations.” – High school senior, Safwan J.


2. “A person – you and I, maybe – who is fighting for their rights even if they have done nothing wrong. Certain events happened before I was even born and my whole life changed because of it.” – Huda A.


3. [As a Muslim American, you must be] “conscious of your actions, conscious of what you say, as you are a representation of Muslims to your entire society." – High school senior, Marryam K.

4. “Being Muslim first and foremost always and that being American comes after, whatever being American is to each person.” — Odyssey writer, Marium Z.

This brings up a good point — the fluidity of patriotism and its connotations and subtleties are not often recognized by the general public.

5. “Many people associate negative things with the term Muslim American because of the terrorist threats that have been more prominent. People, I feel, are somehow less racially accepting to any minority and this is especially a challenge to Muslim Americans.” – Odyssey writer, Kashvi M.

6. “Muslim American” is a "statement of power and resilience.” – College student, Tiffany N

7. "For me, it's my friends. People I know, not much else. Just people."– High school senior,Griffin S.

8. "To me, being an American Muslim means finding a balance between my personal beliefs and the western world."– High school senior,Arneeb P.

9. "Resilient and steadfast." – High school senior,Noora C.

10. "When I think of the term American Muslim... I think of soup. People are kind of like empty bowls, and life is kind of a like a soup kitchen that pours soup into that bowl. Slowly, over time, the bowl is filled with soup. But for American Muslims, I feel like the soup isn't clam chowder or black bean or any one "kind" of soup per se. It's a mixture. A blend. A lovely, aromatic simmering of stew generated over a lifetime that takes aspects from more traditional places and mixes them with newer, more disparate elements. That's what it seems like from my perspective, anyway. It seems like some kind of balancing act, so kind of laborious venture to get the blend just right so the flavor of the soup isn't too sweet or too spicy." – High school senior,Judah L.

Though these interpretations all have positive connotations, they are undeniably biased. The harsh reality is that the term holds something ominous and foreboding in the hearts of many people. There is fear in America, and there is hatred of Muslims. The concept that Muslim Americans are here for a sinister reason is constantly being projected by mainstream media outlets. What the goal of Muslim Americans and allies should be is to reach out to those that don’t understand it, just as the people above have reached out to share their own knowledge.