(CNN) -- Two different terror attacks by two different sets of Islamic extremists in two different democracies. But the difference in people's responses is what's key, and exemplifies why America truly is exceptional. I'm referring to the bombing in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 15 and the attack on a British soldier on a London street on May 22. After the Boston attack, which claimed the lives of three people and injured more than 250 others, a minor anti-Muslim backlash was reported. The most notable: A Bangladeshi man in New York City was allegedly beaten and a Muslim woman in Boston was struck in the shoulder and called a terrorist.
@highlight
Dean Obeidallah: Anti-Muslim backlash in England was severe after a soldier was slain
@highlight
In comparison, he says, the backlash in the U.S. after the Boston bombings was minor
@highlight
He says American Muslims denounced the act and other faiths stood with them
@highlight
Also, he says, the melting pot and "out of many, one" make up our identity
But in England, the backlash against British @placeholder has been alarming.