Muslims Shouldn’t Have to Assimilate to Belong

There is a reflex that kicks in when someone questions whether you belong. You start assembling evidence. You cite your credentials and your patriotism. When Rep. Andrew Ogles (R-Tennessee) declared last month that “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” I noticed this reflex in myself. I wanted to prove I belonged, for those who believed that I didn’t. I suspect many Muslim Americans did the same. We have gotten good at this over the years — too good.