I’ve been watching the latest GOP debates, and I am baffled at how offensive and obscene some of the comments the candidates running have said.

Now, I don’t think these candidates are bad people, I just think sometimes they don’t always think before they speak.

Ben Carson is no different. You see, with recent global issues and concerns revolving around countries such as Iraq, Iran, and even Syria, it’s a safe bet to acknowledge that if one is not up to date with the issues, one should not speak out about it.

Do I think they need to agree with every view out or organization? No. But I think national television is not the place to call out Muslims or push an anti-Islamic agenda. In an interview last week, Carson was asked about his connection to Islam, and his thoughts on having a Muslim president.

He is quoted as saying, “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

Now while this statement is not what I have a problem with per say, it’s that Carson fails later in the interview to back up his reasoning.

I believe presidential candidates should always be able to explain their response to a question. If elaborating upon your answer is the expectation and Carson provided no sound reasoning, then is it safe to say his argument is invalid?

Carson says that he upholds traditional American values and what is in the Constitution. However, one piece of the puzzle is missing, and it is that Americans value change. Later on, Carson was asked if a                     candidate’s faith should matter to voters. He argues that “I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter.”

The reality is he is not capable of deciphering what we should call “inconsistent” nor does he have the power to speak on behalf of all of the American population.

Carson’s remarks have proven to cause controversy with several justice groups calling for his immediate withdrawal from the presidential arena. The Council on American-Islamic relations is just one of those groups. Which they believe he fails to uphold the constitutional focus of having “freedom of religion” in campaigning.

Many Americans are outraged by the lack of sensitivity to his comments, and advocate that his comments are targeted at nations overseas as well as Muslim-Americans in the U.S.

My thought is that what we say matters, and how we intended something to mean is beyond the point. I am not sure if Carson is right in his reasoning or comments, but one thing is for sure.

We should be judging more holistically, taking in all the information. We shouldn’t write people off because of their religion. Let’s look at all the parts before judging the overall quality of an individual.

As the presidential campaign continues, I hope candidates will be more culturally sensitive to one another and to the voters who will be electing our next president.

Amina Chinnell-Mateen is an opinion writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]