When will Muslims stop being fodder in the American political process?
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump鈥檚 now famous 鈥淚 think Islam hates us鈥� barb is fitting for his role as the loudest Islamophobe in mainstream politics. However, since the 9/11 attacks, Muslim-bashing has become a staple of the American political scene and a sure way to win votes.
In his 2008 presidential campaign, the 鈥淢-word鈥� was one the most persistent allegations thrown at Barack Obama by his opponents. Yet it is not just the derogatory use of the word 鈥淢uslim鈥� that is insulting鈥攊t is the attempt to distance oneself from, and defend against it.
As former US Secretary of State Colin Powell so pointedly asked in an interview: 鈥淚s there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?鈥�
The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.
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