Although this group has always been at least slightly stigmatized, conflicts in the Middle East combined with terrorists attacks such as the 9/11 tragedy have led to increases in stereotyping and hostility (Cainkar, 2006; Salaita, 2005). The tolerance initially extended to this group has largely vanished and individuals of Middle Eastern descent have been labeled as “terrorist,” “spy,” and “saboteur” with increasing frequency, further reinforcing the idea that they are dangerous and can never fully assimilate into American society (Cainkar, 2006; Jenkins, Ruppel, Kizer, Yehl, & Griffin, 2012; Gotanda, 2011).
Evidence of the increasing prejudice against this minority group can be seen in their extremely poor rating on the Social Distance Scale, a measurement of the degree of social …show more content…
They have experienced significant verbal and physical abuse since the 9/11 attacks as well, with one quarter of the respondents in one study reporting attacks on their families or friends and another 15% claiming to have personally been attacked (Padela & Heisler, 2010). Overall, these negative reactions have led to increased levels of distress, lower happiness and an increase in health problems for Middle Eastern Americans over the last decade and a half (Padela & Heisler, 2010).
Given the increased level of hostility aimed at them, Middle Eastern Americans are increasingly concerned about becoming scapegoats in War on Terror. In a 2010 poll, 48% percent of Muslims claimed to experience discrimination based on their race or religion in the previous year and 53% felt that it was more difficult to be Muslim in United States after 9/11, a much higher percentage than any other religious group in America (Gallup,
Evidence of the increasing prejudice against this minority group can be seen in their extremely poor rating on the Social Distance Scale, a measurement of the degree of social …show more content…
They have experienced significant verbal and physical abuse since the 9/11 attacks as well, with one quarter of the respondents in one study reporting attacks on their families or friends and another 15% claiming to have personally been attacked (Padela & Heisler, 2010). Overall, these negative reactions have led to increased levels of distress, lower happiness and an increase in health problems for Middle Eastern Americans over the last decade and a half (Padela & Heisler, 2010).
Given the increased level of hostility aimed at them, Middle Eastern Americans are increasingly concerned about becoming scapegoats in War on Terror. In a 2010 poll, 48% percent of Muslims claimed to experience discrimination based on their race or religion in the previous year and 53% felt that it was more difficult to be Muslim in United States after 9/11, a much higher percentage than any other religious group in America (Gallup,