Liberal criticism of overt anti-Muslim hearings masks liberalism’s own racializing policies

Evidence

The Obama era therefore came to be characterized by a shift to liberal imperialism and liberal Islamophobia. The key characteristics of liberal Islamophobia are the rejection of the “clash of civilizations” thesis, the recognition that there are “good Muslims” with whom diplomatic relations can be forged, and a concomitant willingness to work with moderate Islamists. Liberal Islamophobia may be rhetorically gentler than conservative Islamophobia and (as we will see in chapter 10) the language of the “Islamophobic warriors,” but it is nonetheless racist and imperialist in that it takes for granted the “white man’s burden.” It doesn’t occur to the likes of Nye, Albright, and Haass that it is for ordinary people in the Middle East to make decisions about their societies. Self-determination does not enter their framework—and “benevolent supremacy” remains unquestioned. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 430 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

To be sure, the racialization of Muslims was unstable and variable and took different forms at various moments in time. Even at a particular historical conjuncture, Orientalism was mediated in different ways in various spheres from politics to culture. This is because the “West” is not a monolith, there is therefore no singular production of those racialized by empire; anti-racism is also part of the mix. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 193 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Liberal rejection of open Islamophobia masks the same racializing policies — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of…, 622; Framing Islamism as European-rooted ideology shields liberals from racism charges — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of…, 709; Anti-Muslim racism in politics spans both parties in liberal and conservative forms — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of…, 743 (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• Liberal Islamophobia rejects blatant rhetoric while instituting the same Muslim racialization policies #expands (0.95)
• Liberal Islamophobia is racist and imperialist despite its gentler rhetoric #corroborates (0.95) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 430
• Anti-Muslim racialization is unstable, contested, and co-produced with anti-racism #complicates (0.76) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 193
• Liberal defenses of Muslims feed rather than block right-wing conspiracy theories #complicates (0.72) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 733