Many Muslims have been through this experience. Blacks make up one-third of the American Muslim population; they shoulder the double burden of prejudice based on both the color of their skin and their religious beliefs. But for black Americans, respectability politics have proven fruitless in tearing down the racism, both structural and personal, that they continue to face. Appearing “respectable” does not challenge society to actually reconsider its perceptions, it simply reinforces them. Prejudice persists, and the performance hinders black Americans’ ability to exist freely, encouraging not the abandonment of stereotype but the idea of exceptions to the rule. This experience should serve as a warning that Muslims’ efforts may be better spent elsewhere, rather than trying to adjust their behavior to suit their critics.

A pair of videos provides a quick glimpse into what making Muslims appear “normal” often looks like, as well as the problems these efforts can create. The clips, from BuzzFeed and the filmmaker Tara Miele, feature diverse Muslim Americans describing themselves with declarations such as, “I’m Muslim, but I’m not angry,” “I’m Muslim, and I love dancing,” “I am a human, I am a mom,” and “I actually, like, really love Christmas movies.”

While these clips may be designed to give Muslims a face and voice, they do so in a way that can undermine their aim.The videos include few traditional or conservative Muslims whose dress, accents, or descriptors are far from the norm. The implication that these Muslims are “normal” by American standards allows little space for Muslims who are not “normal”—even if that just means they don’t like Christmas movies. The Americanness of Muslims should not be predicated on their ability to blend in.

One of several response videos, which itself went viral, specifically critiques the mollifying aspect of these videos, preferring to assert political differences many Muslims may have. One participant sums up the response well: “I’m Muslim, but I don’t need to prove my loyalty to you or anyone else.”

Partway through Miele’s “Meet a Muslim” video, the participants speak about how fearful they have become. That can be a powerful motivation for wanting to appear “normal” to non-Muslims: At a time when hate crimes against Muslims are at a 15-year high, some feel they must employ all the tools at their disposal to protect themselves and those they love. Rather than attempting to expand the American norm to include Muslims of all stripes, the narrow standard for American normalcy is maintained.

Muslim youth who have grown up in the shadow of 9/11 often make a point of highlighting the rappers, athletes, and other celebrities who share their religion. Amid the constant criticism and threats, they might see figures like Lupe Fiasco and Dave Chappelle as evidence that young Muslims have a place in American culture; it’s proof that their way of life is something someone cool or influential would buy into, and that they aren't weird. Muhammad Ali’s death last June had the thinnest of silver linings: For a moment, America remembered that a black Muslim man could be a hero, one who was unapologetic about the way his religion and race imbued his actions with purpose.