"But for an American-born Muslim kid growing up in America, there are virtually no realistic portrayals of Muslims in dramas, sitcoms, soap operas or talk shows."Speaking strictly for myself, I had enough realistic portayal of Muslim drama on September 11, 2001.
That's the bottom line. Yes, I know that many Muslims in this country purportedly are loyal, but I ask you, have you heard even one of these people condemn bin-Laden? If you haven't had the chance to hear from a Muslim an answer to this question, just ask one. They may love living in the US, but make no mistake about it, they will side with Islam over the US every time.
An honorable businessman I know owns a local pharmacy that dispenses medicine to all Americans. He is an immigrant from Pakistan and a follower of Islam. He has condemned any and all that kill the innocent. I have talked with him about many things over the years. I've seen the tears as the man described how his father in law (a professor) was killed in the middle of the night. The mullahs came to his house and killed the man in front of his own family. I have seen the letters written to our Presidents that detail some of the individual rights abuses happening in the name of radical Islamic fundamentalism. He and his citizen children are American and part of the fabric of this great land. We both experienced the pain of 911. It still continues today.