September 11 caused a permanent racial fall for Arab Muslims and Christians

Evidence

These transformations in White identity explain why Arabs sought entrance to Whiteness through their own paths of assimilation during the twentieth century. As the next chapter explains, Arab immigrants’ success depended largely on whether they were phenotypically White presenting— that is, European-looking—and Christian. Although international developments such as the Iranian Revolution, the Palestinian resistance, and the First Gulf War obstructed Muslims’ path toward Whiteness, their racialization was sporadic and avoidable through assimilation. However, the September 11 terrorist attacks resulted in a permanent fall from Whiteness for both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians. Muslims of diverse ethnicities became national security threats. Put simply, their religion raced them. — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim, 382 (#expands, via linked claim)

Before the September 11 attacks, Muslims might have been described as a ‘model minority’ with above average levels of education and income. They were so inconspicuous that they were routinely confused with Latinos. Needless to say, the September 11 attacks changed everything. — Arsalan Iftikhar, Fear of a Muslim Planet_ Global…, 598 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: September 11 permanently erased Arab Christians’ and Muslims’ claim to Whiteness — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes…, 382; Muslim racialization in America predated the September 11 attacks; The War on Terror racially constructed Muslims as terrorists. (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• September 11 permanently erased Arab Christians’ and Muslims’ claim to Whiteness #expands (0.98) — Sahar F. Aziz, The Racial Muslim, 382
• Muslim racialization in America predated the September 11 attacks #complicates (0.85)
• American Muslims were a model minority before the September 11 attacks #complicates (0.80) — Arsalan Iftikhar, Fear of a Muslim Planet_ Global…, 598