Cultural Differences Between Anti-Semitism And Islamophobia

It is apparent that historical, societal, and religious pressures have combined to make a toxic environment for Muslim-Americans post 9/11. But after doing research and connecting the dots, the idea that anti-Semitism and Islamophobia can be compared is impossible to prove because they cannot be equated. Though both groups have shared similar experiences with discrimination and bigotry, the course of each group’s journey toward acceptance in America. After 9/11, the Muslim-American experience has been decidedly negative and echoes those anti-Semitic sentiments from the 1930s in America, but with the rise in Islamic terror groups the discrimination appears to be here to stay. Facilitated by media, politicians, and the actions of a small portion …show more content…
In contrast, Islamophobia will not be going anywhere in the minds of Americans as terror groups like the Islamic State and those that sympathize with them continue to stage different attacks. But, as the research above shows, terror groups are only a part of the problem with how the majority of Americans view Islam. Other parts are the religious differences between the Christian majority and the underrepresentation of Muslims in American society. In order to combat Islamophobia, more Americans would need to be exposed to them in the workplace and in their own social settings. Anti-Semitism was combated by the rise of Jewish-Americans in high-ranking positions, the rise in wealth, and the increase in overall power. If Musliims-Americans can follow the same path, perhaps Islamophobia will decrease in prevalence. This is a process that is long and arduous, but necessary for Americans, especially, to consider because of the history. The idea that freedom is for the white, Christian majority (soon to be minority) is hypocritical for a country that was born out of