Aziz Ansari takes on Donald Trump, Islamophobia and gun control in new essay
Master of None star writes that Trump's 'hate-filled rhetoric' makes him scared for his family
Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari is calling for a stop to Muslim hate speech and demanding changes to gun laws in a new essay called "Why Trump Makes Me Scared For My Family."
"In our culture, when people think 'Muslim,' the picture in their heads is not usually of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or the kid who left the boy band One Direction," the Master of None creator and star wrote in an opinion piece published Saturday in the New York Times.
"It's of a scary terrorist character from Homeland or some monster from the news."
Ansari, the son of Muslim immigrants, objected to Donald Trump's comments calling for a temporary U.S. ban on foreign Muslims as a solution to fight terrorism.
The comedian sarcastically pointed out that generalizing entire groups with a blanket of blame for the country's problems isn't the answer.
"By Mr. Trump's logic, after the huge financial crisis of 2007-08, the best way to protect the American economy would have been to ban white males," he wrote, pointing out that the bankers who caused the problem were white males.
Ansari argues prejudice is gaining new ground following the attack on an Orlando nightclub June 12, in which an extremist gunman killed 49 people.
The "hate-filled rhetoric" from the Republican presidential hopeful is not only making matters worse, he wrote, but "makes no sense."
"The overwhelming number of Muslim Americans have as much in common with that monster in Orlando as any white person has with any of the white terrorists who shoot up movie theatres or schools or abortion clinics," he wrote.
Ansari, also known for his role on the comedy Parks and Recreation, called for gun control legislation by American lawmakers.
"One way to decrease the risk of terrorism is clear: Keep military-grade weaponry out of the hands of mentally unstable people, those with a history of violence, and those on FBI watch lists," he wrote in the essay.
He concluded by saying "sit-ins and filibusters" can't seem to match the National Rifle Association's powerful lobbying.
"Suspected terrorists can buy assault rifles, but we're still carrying tiny bottles of shampoo to the airport."