Leaders and media darlings of our country are automatically viewed as role models for children. Whether it be Michael Jordan or President Bush, every actor, musician, athlete and leader knows the responsibilities society expects them to fulfill.

Therefore, Vice President Dick Cheney should have been aware of his surroundings while delivering a speech at a Conservative Political Action Conference about a week ago.

He should have realized that off in the corner a booth attendant was selling anti-Muslim bumper stickers. He should have known the stickers read “No Muslims — No Terrorism.” In another bumper sticker, the “s” in the word Islam was actually replaced with a swastika. Cheney must have recognized the bitterness generated towards such a display.

According to a small article in In the Loop, the booth operators were to remove the anti-Muslim stickers from the rack. Although the stickers were taken off the shelves, the attendants continued selling the stickers. Any customer could approach the booth, ask for a specific bumper sticker and purchase it while Cheney spoke to the audience about organizing action committees.

Such an event is unacceptable. The swastika is a sign not only of hatred, but also racism and discrimination.

When Muslim immigrants come to the United States, they expect opportunities granted to everyone. To see an important public figure (the same person who would run the country if our president became incapacitated) speak at an event where these stickers were sold is atrocious, sending a terrifying message to the entire Muslim population.

The swastika, directly associated with the horrors of the Holocaust , was the trademark symbol of the Nazis during World War II. For this reason, many Muslims might infer that Cheney promotes these same horrors upon them as well.

After seeing these stickers on display for the world to acquire, Muslims may wonder why they came to America. They may question the hope they see in America if Cheney advocates or even allows the sale of anything encouraging such widespread racial hatred.

It is depressing when new immigrants, who come to America to build their lives, are forced to question their choices. After all, the United States is heralded as the melting pot of all races, cultures, religions and ethnicities. It is these same differences that define our nation and its people. Since colonial times, it was the immigrants who constructed the nation and government we live in and under today.

People should wonder what this country has come to when the vice president speaks in the presence of a vendor selling such demeaning paraphernalia.

In his defense, Cheney may say he didn’t know the vendor was selling the bumper stickers, which may be true. But even if he was unaware of the vendor’s actions, that does not make the situation less hurtful. Cheney should have ensured such symbols of hate were nowhere near him. His extensive political experience has given him the insight to realize that such associations could be detrimental to his reputation.

As a Muslim American, I am proud part of me is American. I am proud for all of the rights and freedom this nation stands for. This makes it painful to hear of such events — especially if these actions are associated with the same people who control my rights and freedoms.

R.H. Aly is the acting campus editor for The Lantern. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].