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2024 Election
Being a Smartass to Undecided Voters Over Genocide Isn’t a Flex
Countless tone-deaf posts on social media are admonishing undecided voters over the slaughter of innocent civilians in Palestine
When it comes to race relations in the U.S., tone-deafness isn’t uncommon even when it comes from so-called experts in anti-racism efforts. Since 2001 and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Islamophobia and anti-Arab animus have grown in prominence infecting all aspects of U.S. society. It was an era where liberals and conservatives alike agreed to launch wars that would kill and displace millions of people in Arab countries under the guise of a war on terror.
It’s become so prominent that there are now dozens of Islamophobic institutions funded by some of the wealthiest people in the West and anti-Arab sentiments are foundational to false accusations of antisemitism, terrorism and so much more. As a lifelong anti-racist and racial justice advocacy journalist, these are issues I’ve covered in great detail.
Background
Throughout history in the United States race was seen as simply a Black and White issue. It wasn’t until the 20th century and the broader expansion of the Western U.S. that racists…