Islamophobia grows from convergence and proximity, not from cultural separation or polarization.

Evidence

In practice, Islamophobia owes more to the convergence of cultural and political spaces than to their separation. 40 Polarization is what Islamophobes desire, but cannot quite achieve. Anti-Muslim activists like Terry Jones, Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer, the Bible Believers, and the Westboro Baptist Church are drawn to Dearborn because they see it as an abomination, as a dangerous exception to the American norm. In fact, Dearborn is proof that an alternative American reality, one in which Islam is normal and Muslims enjoy political support, is possible and will become increasingly common in future. — Carl W. Ernst, Islamophobia in America_ The Anatomy of…, 707

Categorization

• XREF: Reverses the standard reading; connects to the reader’s interest in each chapter as a distinct scalpel dissecting the fearer.