Muslim Americans and the Politics of Fear

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush said that all Muslims should not be judged by the acts of a radical few. Nevertheless, the attacks in Paris have made Muslims the latest targets of hate mail, online vitriol, personal insults—and calls for outright religious discrimination on the presidential campaign trail. Donald Trump and fellow Republican presidential candidates are making calls for outright religious discrimination. Muslim Americans report that Islamophobia is on the increase — and they're being asked to apologize for terrorists they despise. It's not the first time an identifiable minority has been targeted for abuse. What are the lessons about American values?