For the first 50 years of my life, I have been free from racism and prejudice: racism, defined as a hatred or intolerance of another race; and prejudice, defined as unreasonable feelings regarding a race, religious or national group.

I acknowledge wondering whether blacks' dominance of skill sports and Asians' dominance in academics are based on special ability or hard work. However, whether innate or cultural, the results justify exploration, and simply acknowledging the facts and wondering why does not cross the line from curiosity to prejudice.

I have never personally held a group responsible for the actions of an individual. A professional racist like the Rev. Al Sharpton no more represents black America or black Americans than his racist white counterpart, Klansman David Duke, does the white community. Seung-Hui Cho's recent massacre of 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech was no more an indictment of the Korean community than Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's Columbine attack was a signature act for all whites.

However, as much as I have tried to see Islamist terrorists as separate from Muslims at large, it is becoming harder and harder to avoid seeing this as a cultural issue. I have anguished over this, but I am writing this column to acknowledge that I may no longer be prejudice-free.

For more than 20 years, almost all terrorists' attacks against the United States and its citizens have come from one source: Muslims. These attacks include Iranian hostage crisis (1979); Beirut bombings — Embassy and Marine barracks (1983); Achille Lauro hijacking (1985); TWA hijacking (1985); Pan Am 103 bombing (1988); World Trade Center I (1993); U.S. Embassy East African bombings (1998); USS Cole (2000); and, of course, Sept. 11, 2001.

I am still waiting for an American Muslim leader to forcefully stand up and condemn these acts and these people. When I hear American Muslims speak, it is not about the critical issue of terrorism and war, but rather Muslims like Omar Mohammedi, who wants to sue US Airways and the passengers who reported "suspicious activity" from the six Muslim imams. This rehearsed, choreographed effort to play off shared fears in order to generate publicity and launch a lawsuit was indefensible. The passengers' reactions were not only predictable, they were commendable.

Muslim leaders in Minneapolis will speak up supporting Muslim cab drivers who refuse to pick up passengers carrying alcohol or the blind because of objection to transporting their seeing-eye dogs. It's the same thing with Muslim cashiers at Target stores who no longer want to scan pork products, since this also violates their faith. According to Muslim spokespeople, asking cashiers to do their jobs is religious intolerance.

How long before Muslim cab drivers will only pick up fellow Muslims? Why is this any more palatable or acceptable than a white supremacist refusing to carry blacks in his cab?

If the difference is based in religion, can fundamentalist Christians refuse a cab ride to unwed mothers, or sell condoms to people without proof of marriage?

We are at war with Islamic terrorists. It is a war different from any in our history. We have made mistakes, but we are learning as we go and we'll continue to adjust our approach.

Looking back at World War II, our treatment of Americans of Japanese descent was an overreaction to a fear unrealized. The danger here is an underreaction to a fear realized. Our actions need to be tempered by our past mistakes, but not to the point of ignoring reality.

If an acknowledgment of fact — that a group of people (seemingly unchecked by its ethnic and religious communities) has made it its life's work to destroy America — makes me prejudiced, I'm afraid you'll have to count me in.

When I first heard about the planned attack on Fort Dix, my immediate reaction was that it was Muslims. If this assumption makes me prejudiced, I plead guilty. I offer my apologies to all Muslims who do not wish America ill.

However, until I see something from the American Muslim community beyond violence and silence, I will have to count myself among those who prejudge. I am not proud of my feelings, but I do not apologize for them, either. I look forward to the day when the Muslim community proves me wrong. Please.

Scott Harris is a Ventura County political commentator. His columns and radio show can be accessed on his Web site, http://www.AlphaState.org.