'Arab' is NOT a Dirty Word!

Thank God someone FINALLY spoke out!!

Commentary: So what Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?
Story Highlights

Campbell Brown says McCain right to set the record straight about Obama
We've all been too quick to accept that calling someone Muslim is a slur, she says
Brown asks why being an Arab-American should be a disqualifier for higher office
We need to distinguish between radical Muslims and the rest, she says

By Campbell BrownCNN

Editor's note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN's "Campbell Brown: Election Center" at 8 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays. She delivered this commentary during the "Cutting through the Bull" segment of Monday night's broadcast.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- You may find it hard to believe that this remains an issue in this campaign, but it does. The candidates, both candidates, are still getting questions about Barack Obama's ethnicity and religion. If you are even semi-informed, then by now you already know that of course, Barack Obama is an American. Of course, Barack Obama is a Christian. Yet just a few days ago, there was a woman at a rally for John McCain incorrectly calling Obama an Arab:

Woman at rally: I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab.

Sen. John McCain:No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about. He's not, thank you.

Now, I commend Sen. McCain for correcting that woman, for setting the record straight. But I do have one question -- so what if he was?

So what if Obama was Arab or Muslim? So what if John McCain was Arab or Muslim? Would it matter?When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words? The equivalent of dishonorable or radical?

Whenever this gets raised, the implication is that there is something wrong with being an Arab-American or a Muslim. And the media is complicit here, too. Watch Campbell's commentary »
We've all been too quick to accept the idea that calling someone Muslim is a slur.

I feel like I am stating the obvious here, but apparently it needs to be said: There is a difference between radical Muslims who support jihad against America and Muslims who want to practice their religion freely and have normal lives like anyone else.

There are more than 1.2 million Arab-Americans and about 7 million Muslim-Americans, former Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, successful business people, normal average Americans from all walks of life.

These are the people being maligned here, and we can only imagine how this conversation plays in the Muslim world. We can't tolerate this ignorance -- not in the media, not on the campaign trail.

Of course, he's not an Arab. Of course, he's not a Muslim. But honestly, it shouldn't matter.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.

All AboutBarack Obama • John McCain • Racial Issues

Let's Get...Creative!

So I signed up for a beginner's belly dancing class! I was watching a documentary on the DOC channel about Julliard's senior year dance class and it inspired me to start dancing again. I used to dance, when I was much younger; jazz, ballet and tap...but that was years ago! I have always loved to dance and could literally dance all night if given the opportunity (and a few glasses of wine!). But, I've always been entranced by the eastern dancers...the music, the costumes, the graceful carriages, so I thought, why not?! My husband, being Arab-American, appreciates the art but says there's more senstivity when it comes to dancing for patrons in a restaurant or to enterain for money. I'm just doing it for exercise and for fun so it'll be a blast.

I also want to get back to painting and drawing. I love art...my grandmother is an artist and I love painting; I used to do it more often, but I really got away from it. You know, thinking about it; I got away from a lot of my creativity once I joined the military (go figure). I'm glad I'm finally going back to it. Writing, painting, dancing...I'm reclaiming my right brain!!! I'm chasing out the brainwashing of the left-brained regimental rules-bound cardboard life that I've had to adapt to in order to become successful in the world of the profession of arms.

So, where's my paintbrush....