Paranoid Politics: Islamophobia, McCarthyism and the Yellow Peril

Muslims are not the first group in America to be targeted by paranoid people who are afraid and looking for someone to blame. This panel discussion will cover three periods in U.S. history when groups who are “different” – Muslims since 9/11, Jews during the McCarthy Communist witch hunts, and Asians during World War II – were persecuted in politics and the media. Panelists include Wajahat Ali, playwright, attorney and lead author of “Fear Inc., The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America” produced with Center for American Progress, Congressman Mike Honda, and Dr. Larry Gerston, emeritus professor at San Jose State University and political analyst for NBC11.

Co-sponsored by Islamic Networks Group, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley, and League of Women Voters – Southwest Santa Clara Valley and San Jose-Santa Clara branches.

--JCC