Steve Salaita examines a wide range of corporate media to illustrate that anti-Arab racism is pervasive in the United States, especially after 9/11. He argues that 9/11 legitimized anti-Arab racism, but did not create it. Instead, he highlights a number of historical examples to show that anti-Arab racism is derived from more extensive American traditions, including anti-black and Indian racism, xenophobia, and imperial desire.
Terrifying Patriotism shows that modern notions of patriotism in the United States necessarily generate racism against Arabs; many Americans, however, including academics and elected politicians, espouse anti-Arab racism quite purposefully.
A Madabawi and American, Steve Salaita is assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
