Muslim Americans face a patriotism litmus test to claim American identity

Evidence

For Muslims to be seen as American, they have to do extraordinary things to demonstrate their patriotism and loyalty to the United States. Former president Bill Clinton’s speech at the convention also drew attention to this sentiment that Muslims have to prove they are loyal and patriotic citizens. He said, “If you’re a Muslim and you love America and freedom and you hate terror, stay here and help us win and make a future together, we want you” (Beinart 2016). Muslim Americans must pass a litmus test on their patriotism before they are able to claim their American identity. The men and women I talked to commented on this feeling of having to prove their American identities. — Saher Selod, Forever Suspect_ Racialized…, 440

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s map: this is the mechanism by which surveillance and Islamophobia demand proof of belonging — links directly to Beydoun’s ‘Muslim Ban’ framework and the Global Racial Enemy slot being replaced.
• SEED: Angle: the ‘patriotism litmus test’ as a civic burden imposed on a racialized group that whites and Christians never face — an essay on the unequal citizenship tax.
• DEFINE: Clarifies the operative concept: Americanness as something Muslims must earn through extraordinary loyalty demonstrations rather than birth.