Given the current American cultural climate, this book it vital and a necessary read for anyone looking to understand not just the roots of discrimination but how to change/challenge racism

Erik Love, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, also attempts to bring greater understanding in ISLAMOPHOBIA AND RACISM IN AMERICA (from New York University Press). He writes about hate crimes in America and how "many South Asian Americans are Muslim, but many others are Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist .... [and] many Arab Americans are Christian, Jewish or agnostic, but race exposes them to Islamophobia all the same." Much of his work focuses on defining what he calls "the Middle Eastern racial category" and use of terms like "Muslim American" to replace "Arab American."

As part of his research, Love has travelled and met/spoken with leaders of advocacy organizations in the United States, conducted content analysis on documents like brochures and websites, and also built a large database with information on "Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian American advocacy organizations." He writes about whether Islamophobia should be described as racism, noting a long history and parallels with other forms of racism. Several sections describe the work and past strategies employed by these civil rights advocacy groups, as well as a look towards the future and possibility for change.

This book will appeal to sociologists but not to the general public. Erik Love gives a compelling argument on why he believes that Islamophobia is a racial issue, as crimes are often committed against those who "look" Muslim. However, he goes over this terminology in too detail for the lay person. I think that the general reader would prefer a general plan to promote tolerance. for those who look different than them.

Eye opening and heart wrenching... I knew that Islamaphobia was happening and it horrified me, but to read it all about it made me literally tear up... Such a brilliant read and offered an insightful look at how the world is destroying itself.