People from the Middle East have been considered "white" in the United States for some time, but since the terrorist attacks on September 11, anyone with brown skin who seems foreign is now considered "different" and possibly an enemy. What is this the result of?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is an example of racialization, which is the process of categorizing people of different ethnicities and nationalities based on physical or cultural characteristics. In this case, people from the Middle East were previously considered "white," but the events of September 11 led to a distinct racialization of this group as "different" and potentially dangerous. This is not necessarily individual racism or discrimination, but a broader societal issue. Segregation would not be an appropriate term in this context.

People from the Middle East Have Been Considered "White" in the United