I heard some of the discussion about this issue on French news this morning. It was actually pretty refreshing.
The argument was that the the term “Islamophobia” was created by Islamists as a weapon to beat down their critics, that it’s a “medicalization” (illness) of a necessary, justifiable examination and criticism of political Islam.
The take away from the discussion was that “words matter,” and that using terms designed by one’s enemies (”pro-choice/anti-choice,” anyone?), whether by oneself or in the media, promotes the enemy’s agenda.
As our FRiend Missy observed, “using terms designed by one’s enemies (”pro-choice/anti-choice,” anyone?), whether by oneself or in the media, promotes the enemy’s agenda.”
We have allowed the enemy to shape the battlefield - that’s how you lose.