One of the most understudied and underestimated impacts of Islamophobia is the ingestion of problematic notions about the religion by Muslims themselves, particularly those of the younger generation who are experiencing multiple attacks against their faith. Internalized racism involves ingesting, often subconsciously, acceptance of the dominant society's stereotypes of one's group. The harms of internalizing oppression go far beyond legitimizing discriminatory practices to neutral observers; they destroy the first line of resistance to bigotry. Colonized mindsets and internalized racism are often subconscious, their messages primarily subliminal. The most susceptible group to these subliminal messages are young children whose cognitive limitations do not allow them to consciously reflect on those negative messages.

It is very powerful to experience validation of your struggles and experiences. And the opposite, ie. having them invalidated or undermined, is also powerful. Muslim adolescents living as minorities have to deal with a dangerously high level of cognitive dissonance when attempting to formulate a cohesive identity. At school, they often feel as though they betray the “Islamic” part of themselves by engaging in things they know are displeasing to God. At home, they feel as though they betray the “American” part of themselves by doing things their classmates would laugh about. The more they act in opposition to their values, the deeper the struggle becomes. Constructing a strong identity based on deep conviction and confidence can lead to a healthier young Muslim individual that feels valued and responsible for contributing to society as a whole.

In racism-related clinical interventions, young people are taught to seek same-race role models as a means of reframing the self-blame experience. The need for contemporary Muslim philanthropists, sports heroes, and champions of peace and justice that have excelled while staying true to their convictions and identity offers a reassuring narrative capable of modifying perceptive attributions that promote internalized Islamophobia. That is why it is important for society as a whole to embrace the Muhammad Ali’s of the world in their full Muslimness and Americanness. We cannot continue to speak of Muslims only as foes or friends in the war on terror. Confidence in their identity allows them to not be stifled by voices of bigotry, or manipulated by voices of extremism.

See the full study on young American Muslims internalizing Islamophobia here: https://yaqeeninstitute.org/omar-suleiman/internalized-islamophobia/

Author: Imam Omar Suleiman - Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square. He holds a Bachelors in Accounting, a Bachelors in Islamic Law, a Masters in Islamic Finance, a Masters in Political History, and is currently pursuing a Phd. in Islamic Thought and Civilization from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. Follow on twitter!