Book talk with American Islamophobia author Khaled A. Beydoun this evening

Detroit native and UD-Mercy professor Khaled Beydoun will give a talk tonight on his newly released book American Islamophobia.

Given the rise of Trump and a spike in violence against people perceived to be Muslim, it's a topic worth looking at in-depth. And even if you think you understand it, it can be challenging to define this kind of religious discrimination. People of all races can be Muslim, and plenty of Arabs are not Muslim. And not all peoples of the Middle East are Arab. As author and Southfield native Erik Love pointed out at a book talk in Birmingham last year for his release, Islamophobia and Racism in America, one of the problems of fighting Islamophobia is the often vague and confused nature of its prejudices.


Beydoun's book promises to be an interesting exploration. A press release says the author "examines Islamophobia from a legal, race-based and intersectional perspective. His scholarship examines the racial construction of Arab and Muslim American identity, criminal and national security policing, and the intersection of race, religion and citizenship."

And the cover blurb by Naomi Klein implies it should be a heck of a read.

The book talk begins at 6 p.m. tonight, April 12, with books for sale and author signings, along with a celebration tomorrow, 7-10 p.m. April 13, featuring food, poetry, readings, and music, all at the Arab American Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn.

Stay on top of Detroit news and views. Sign up for our weekly issue newsletter delivered each Wednesday.